FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT (C) : Sunday 22nd December 2024

Anawim is a Hebrew word from the Old Testament
that describes the remnant of Israel who remained
faithful to God in times of difficulty as well as in good
times, of whom Mary and Elizabeth were exemplars.

In Micah, we hear that out of Bethlehem, which is
the least of the clans of Judah, will come the One who is
to rule over Israel. The One Who is to be born of a
woman, is an anawim; yet he will feed and take care of
the great flock of the Lord. Jesus, the small One, will
come and obey the Father’s Will. He will do great
things, because the spirit of the Lord is upon Him. “He
Himself will be peace,” (Mic 5:4). The anawim eagerly
have a readiness to say, “Here I am! I am willing to do
your Will” (Heb 10:10).

Elizabeth exclaims and calls Mary the mother of my
Lord. If the Lord is an anawim, what more His won
mother and aunt! Indeed, both of them believe that the
promise made by the Lord is fulfilled. They are anawim
who wait patiently and faithfully for the coming of the
promised One. This meeting of the two women and
their respective unborm children is a typical encounter
of the anawim and how it manifests God’s great
promise and fulfillment. Both submitted to the Will of
God.

Lord, may Your blessings be upon us who believe wholeheartedly in Your promise and are eager to do Your will.