Fourth Sunday of Advent

     “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” With those words from St. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, to our Blessed Mother Mary our Gospel on this Fourth and final Sunday of Advent closes. It is appropriate that we are reminded of Mary’s stewardship just a few days before she gives birth to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

     In the U.S. Bishops Pastoral Letter on stewardship, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, The Bishops remind us that Mary is the epitome of stewardship: “After Jesus, it is the Blessed Virgin Mary who by her example most perfectly teaches the meaning of discipleship and stewardship in their fullest sense…she was called and gifted by God; she responded generously, creatively, and prudently; she understood her divinely assigned role in terms of service and fidelity.”

     As we complete our preparations for the coming of the Lord at Christmas, we need to consider Mary’s total trust in God and her willingness to place her entire life at His service, and ours. If we can even be a fraction of the steward she was, we will be ready for Christ’s coming and better prepared to be disciples and good stewards. In the midst of our joy and celebration at this holy time, we, too, must bear in mind that we are called and chosen.