My grandmother on my dad’s side taught me about my Catholic faith. She was a daily Mass goer and rosary prayer. Mom taught me to be honest and truthful; to always be responsible and accountable for my actions. My wife, Candi, teaches me tolerance, humility and how to look at people from their perspective.
Mary’s positive answer to God’s invitation of being the mother of Jesus, God’s Son, has always amazed me. It is not because of her age, there was an expectation that she would have children at a young age because she was betrothed to Joseph at the age of 12. Having a child as a 14-years-old was acceptable in those days.
Though there are 14-year-old girls who currently have children for various reasons, remembering back when our three daughters were that old, none of them had the inclination or mentioned having a child. They were focused on attending high school and getting involved in what was being offered and meeting both boys and girls.
What surprised me about Mary was what she said given the scant positive information she received from the Angel Gabriel. Such a response would be expected of someone much older who with age would be more aware of how the world works and what to expect, especially as a woman in those times. What Mary answered spoke volumes about how a true believer thinks. Mary said: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”
What a courageous thing for her to say. First, to acknowledge that she is not only created by the Lord out of love in His image and likeness, but that she understands the purpose for why she was created: To be in service. Second, what great trust she has in God and His plan for her no matter what situation she is put into, God will be there for her. This is what faith is all about, acceptance without question because God is in charge and wants what is best for us: Eternal Salvation in Heaven with Him.
Discipleship is about total giving of oneself for others. As we read about Mary in Sacred Scriptures, we learn from each and every time how she not only copes but what she does to make sure we understand God’s ways. By example, she lets God do God’s work, without dissecting the reasons why.
After Jesus Christ, the incarnate, sinless Son of God, Mary is the greatest person to ever live because of what she accomplished as a sinless person born of human parents. She has brought dignity to every woman who nurtures the lives they bring into the world because of the sacrifices she has made with Jesus.
St. Luke’s Gospel today illustrates for us that even in Mary’s early pregnancy her concern is for her elderly cousin pregnant with John the Baptist. She traveled 100 miles to not only entrust her news, but to help Jesus reach out from her womb to remove original sin from His precursor, John. In doing so, Elizabeth was open to her joy and faithfulness, to being with her and listening to her story.
It is in Mary’s response to this Visitation with Elizabeth through the Magnificat that she declares her joy at being chosen and blessed by accepting God’s call so His promise of eternal life will be realized.
God’s response to Mary’s sacrifices throughout her life and in her death, allowed her to be assumed into heaven where she enjoys full union with God the Father, Jesus her Son and the Holy Spirit. Mary brings the prayers we offer before Jesus. It is through her assumption that we, the Church, will realize the fullness of salvation with the Lord’s second coming.
In thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us follow her as the model disciple, so that one day we will join her and God in heaven for trusting in her ways.
Reading 1: Revelation 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56
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