Fourth Sunday of Advent 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 Rom 16:25-27 Lk 1:26-38

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections Praying Advent

In the Gospel today, Mary was called by the angel Gabriel to be the mother of the son of God.  Quite the task!  And when Mary was called, she was ready to serve God.  Luckily for Mary, Gabriel clearly explained Mary’s role.  What about the rest of us?  When is the angel Gabriel going to arrive and describe our calling?

Unlike Mary, most of us aren’t charged with one specific task by the Lord.  And so instead of thinking of our calling as a singular moment as it was for Mary in today’s Gospel, we should instead think of our calling as continual.  We are repeatedly called to act in a way that glorifies the Lord.  Our calling is continuous.  Unfortunately, because our calling is continuous -- having no definite beginning or end -- it is often difficult to remain devoted to it.

That is where the scriptures come in.  Readings from the Gospel and weekly church are helpful reminders to act within the Lord.  We must use these reminders to continually return our calling to the forefront of our hearts.  We must always act within our service to the Lord in mind.  As Christians, we cannot sit and wait for Gabriel to personally show up.  But we can be influenced by the scriptures.  And we can be inspired by the kindness of a stranger.

These moments can serve as our own Gabriel; they can be simple reminders to stay devoted to the path the Lord has provided.