Family Bible Study - 4th Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Luke 1:39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town
in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted
Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her
womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with
a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord
comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child
in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there
would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Questions for Discussion

1. Both women, Mary and Elizabeth, were going to have babies. When Mary
spoke, Elizabeth’s baby moved inside her. When you receive Jesus in Holy
Communion, you also have Jesus within you. Will you bring Jesus to people
you know and help them to get very excited with love for Jesus too? How can
you do this?

2. St. Elizabeth says to Mary, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is
the fruit of your womb!” When do we say these words? Why is Mary blessed
among women?

3. St. Elizabeth says Mary is blessed because she believed that the words
spoken to her by the Lord would really happen. What words do you think
St. Elizabeth is talking about? (Hint: reread line 43)
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry