Blessed is the fruit of your womb. Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent, Year C.

We’re told that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” These words form part of the prayer so well-known to Catholics, the Hail Mary. But why is Mary blessed? You may recall an incident later in Luke’s Gospel, in chapter 11, when a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Jesus: “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” However, she meets with a rebuke from Jesus: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” And this, of course, is why Mary is blessed. She, above all people, opened her heart and responded to God’s word with obedience and trust. “Let it be done to me according to your word.”