Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Year C

A number of years ago I had the opportunity to chair an ecumenical panel at a conference exploring the unity and diversity of the Christian faith in Australia; the commonly held truths that bring us together and the differences in teaching and practice that still hold us apart. Among the panelists was the then President of the Uniting Church in Australia. During the discussion she made the point that, although the church was formed in 1977 when the Methodist, Congregationalist and Presbyterian churches discerned their basis of union, the church is still known as Uniting, not United. The church, she explained, is still in the process of becoming.

In the liturgy this Sunday, John the Baptist is once again presented as the herald of Christ's coming into the world, as he leaps for joy in Elizabeth's womb. And it is the active verb coming, and its echo of Uniting, that leaps out to me.

In the first reading the prophet uses the even more ancient name for Bethlehem - Ephrathah. A Hebrew word that refers to bearing fruit. And again, the active, present form of the verb calls out to me.

Uniting - Bearing - Coming

As I reflect on this final Sunday of Advent, I ask myself the question, with Mary actively bearing Christ into the world, and John heralding his coming, what am I doing? Can I honestly say that I am echoing the words of Mary that started the whole story? The words that ring out in this Sunday's Gospel acclamation.

May your will for me be done.

Maybe my will and God's are not united yet, but I'm working on it. Maybe I could say we're still Uniting.

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