In today’s gospel (Luke 1:26-38), a divine messenger (Gabriel) brings Mary the awesome news of the forthcoming Incarnation of the Messiah, and we hear the Blessed Virgin Mary’s agreement. We “rejoice” at the memory of this long-awaited Good News, but, there must be more than this for me.
Mary’s response to God can lead us in many directions, but today let’s focus on just two points. The situation, of course, is Mary’s humble submission of her will to God’s will in all things, and the fact that the “birthing process” began at that very moment she said “Yes.”
There is a Dominican mystic from the 14th century who is often quoted, because his words capture so well our own participation in this birthing process. Meister Eckhart asks the questions that all of us should consider. First he asks: “What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture?” Mary’s “Yes” that brought Christ to the world is not just a “memory event,” such as recalling Don Bradman or Cathy Freeman setting records to remember. Instead, it ought to lead us to consider how to imitate her: how can I bring Christ to the daily world in which I live and participate? Do I reflect Christ in what I say and do? Am I a true disciple, like Mary the model disciple?
A second question that Meister Eckhart asks: “What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son does not take place within myself?” When God comes to dwell within us at our Baptism, we are empowered to live the Christ-life, one tuned to loving God and neighbour. Do I see that tendency in my own heart, or am I still tuned to selfishness? Do I humbly listen to all of the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church, without exception, and allow its wisdom can grow in my heart?
In this way my personal reaction can parallel Mary’s journey, so that I will have truly given an unqualified “Yes” to Jesus in my own life, and considered the best way for me to bring this Good News to my own little world?
Mary and all the Saints have one thing in common: they “will His will alone”. This is our life, our desire and our destiny: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to Your word”. Mary is the perfect model of the “obedience of faith” that we disciples are all called to imitate.
See also The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) articles#2827: #2817#71: and #148
Mary’s response to God can lead us in many directions, but today let’s focus on just two points. The situation, of course, is Mary’s humble submission of her will to God’s will in all things, and the fact that the “birthing process” began at that very moment she said “Yes.”
There is a Dominican mystic from the 14th century who is often quoted, because his words capture so well our own participation in this birthing process. Meister Eckhart asks the questions that all of us should consider. First he asks: “What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture?” Mary’s “Yes” that brought Christ to the world is not just a “memory event,” such as recalling Don Bradman or Cathy Freeman setting records to remember. Instead, it ought to lead us to consider how to imitate her: how can I bring Christ to the daily world in which I live and participate? Do I reflect Christ in what I say and do? Am I a true disciple, like Mary the model disciple?
A second question that Meister Eckhart asks: “What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son does not take place within myself?” When God comes to dwell within us at our Baptism, we are empowered to live the Christ-life, one tuned to loving God and neighbour. Do I see that tendency in my own heart, or am I still tuned to selfishness? Do I humbly listen to all of the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church, without exception, and allow its wisdom can grow in my heart?
In this way my personal reaction can parallel Mary’s journey, so that I will have truly given an unqualified “Yes” to Jesus in my own life, and considered the best way for me to bring this Good News to my own little world?
Mary and all the Saints have one thing in common: they “will His will alone”. This is our life, our desire and our destiny: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to Your word”. Mary is the perfect model of the “obedience of faith” that we disciples are all called to imitate.
See also The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) articles#2827: #2817#71: and #148
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