In the spirit of Feria VI Quattuor Temporum in Adventu, the Church turns her heart toward the mystery of the coming of Christ, contemplating the fullness of His justice and the joy of His presence in the womb of His Mother.
Isaiah 11:1-5: The Root of Jesse
Isaiah proclaims:
“There shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root.”
The “rod” signifies the humble humanity of Christ, springing from the lineage of David, while the “flower” represents His divine nature, perfect and fragrant, drawing all creation to Himself. St. Jerome interprets the rod and flower as symbols of the Incarnation: the rod rooted in Jesse symbolizes Christ’s earthly ancestry, while the flower points to the divine fruitfulness of His mission—God made man for our salvation.
The prophet goes on to enumerate the gifts of the Holy Spirit that will rest upon this descendant of Jesse. St. Gregory the Great emphasizes that these gifts were manifest in Christ to perfection and given to His Church to guide her members toward sanctity. Justice and wisdom flow from Christ, the source of all truth, and He will judge with equity, defending the meek while casting down the arrogant.
For Advent, this passage invites us to cultivate those same virtues in our preparation for Christ’s coming. In justice, we must strive to do what is right in God’s eyes. In wisdom, we must discern the ways in which He calls us to grow in holiness, just as the Spirit rested upon Christ and guided His every action.
Luke 1:39-47: The Visitation
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth reveals the first fruits of Christ’s presence in the world. As Mary, carrying the Savior in her womb, greets her cousin, John the Baptist leaps with joy in Elizabeth’s womb. This profound moment signifies the sanctification of John and a foreshadowing of his prophetic role.
St. Ambrose beautifully reflects on this mystery, noting that “the older woman is the first to hear the voice, but the child is the first to experience grace.” Elizabeth’s exclamation, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,” affirms Mary’s unique role in salvation history. In her humility, Mary responds with the Magnificat, exalting God for His wondrous works.
The encounter is a testament to Christ’s power to bring joy and grace even before His birth. St. Augustine sees the Visitation as a model of Christian charity, where the Blessed Virgin, despite bearing the King of Kings, humbly serves her cousin. This service teaches us that preparation for the coming of Christ involves acts of love and selflessness.
Advent Reflection
In this sacred time of Advent, the readings urge us to recognize the dual aspects of Christ’s coming: as the righteous Judge who brings justice (Isaiah 11) and as the bringer of joy and salvation (Luke 1). We are invited to prepare for His arrival by fostering virtues, seeking the gifts of the Spirit, and imitating Mary’s humility and charity.
The Church Fathers consistently emphasize that Advent is a time to realign our hearts with the justice and mercy of God. St. Leo the Great exhorts us: “Let us prepare the way of the Lord with works of mercy and righteousness, so that He who came once in humility may find us ready to welcome Him when He comes again in glory.”
May this Quattuor Temporum day inspire us to embrace the justice of Isaiah’s prophecy and the joy of Mary’s Magnificat, living in hopeful anticipation of Christ’s coming into our hearts and our world.