22 December 2025
Homily
In these last weeks of Advent, the liturgical lectionary often draws parallels between characters from the Old Testament and others from the New Testament. A few days ago, we saw the parallel between Jesus, who inaugurated the New Covenant, and John the Baptist, the last representative of the Old Covenant and, in a way, the bridge between the two Covenants.
Today's readings present us with two women, two mothers, each with her own song of thanksgiving.
The first reading introduces us to Hannah, wife of the priest Elkanah, who was barren and advanced in age and who, after invoking the Lord with tears and prayer, finally gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel and offered to the Lord. She accompanied her gift and sacrifice with a canticle that we sang after our first reading and the accents and content of which are largely echoed in Mary's Magnificat.
It could be a beautiful prayer for each of us today, and indeed throughout the Christmas season, to make this Magnificat our own, adding to it all those things for which we personally have reason to give thanks to the Lord.
But, of course, what we must thank the Lord for above all else is for giving us his own Son. This will be the focus of the liturgy during this last week of Advent and throughout the Christmas season. As, indeed, it is the focus of all our Eucharistic celebrations.
Armand Veilleux