Do You Believe?

In the Gospel for this weekend, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear about the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary with her relative Elizabeth. Mary is greeted by Elizabeth, who proclaims the words we now recite in the Hail Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Elizabeth goes on to call Mary “blessed” a second time, because she “believed that what was spoken to [her] by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 

“Believe” seems to be a watered-down word these days, much like the word “love.” You’ll find it on cards, advertisements, and holiday home decor. We are encouraged to believe, but the recipient of this faith is only ever alluded to, never specified. Commercials and Hallmark movies tell us to believe in an ambiguous “Christmas spirit” or the “magic of the season.” The movie Elf tells us that Santa’s power somehow hinges on our belief, or lack thereof. Meanwhile, The Polar Express chides adults (and children) who have stopped believing in the Big Man. 

Now, to be clear, I’m not trying to be a Scrooge or say humbug to these holiday films. Instead, I just want us to ask this question:  What does it really mean to believe? 

I think the answer lies in clarifying precisely the whom in which we believe. The Blessed Virgin Mary didn’t place her hope and faith in some amorphous spirit or magical force. She definitely wasn’t staking her future on the predilections of a jolly old elf. No, Mary believed in the Lord, the God of Israel. She knew Him to be real, personal, and someone who keeps His promises. 

Yes, God is a man of his word. So much so, that his word became flesh. 

So, in these final days of Advent, let us take hope in the fact that Jesus most certainly does what he says he will do. He rose from the dead on the third day, just as he foretold. He gives us his Body and Blood in the Eucharist, because that’s what he said it was. We know he will come again and make all things new, because he is a man of his word. Will you believe him?