THE EXPECTANT MARY TEACHES US
As is tradition, on this fourth Sunday, the Gospel focuses on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. In the first part of Advent, we heard a lot from John the Baptist the last prophet who prepared the people for the immediate coming of the Messiah. In these last days of Advent, we are given Mary as the person to prepare us for the coming of the Lord, both by her words and by her example. And so, in this fourth and last Sunday of Advent before Christmas, our Gospel reading gives us the example of Mary who has just found out that she is pregnant. This Mary can teach us lessons about the Christian life, especially about waiting for the coming of the Messiah.
We can draw our first lesson from the way Mary waits for the birth of her son. What does she do on receiving the news from the angel, that she is going to be the mother of the Saviour? She does not post the news on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other news outlets. She does not go around town advertising her great scoop. Nor does she close herself in the house. She gets on the road to visit her elderly cousin Elizabeth who is also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist. Consider this: Mary lived in Nazareth in Galilee in the north, while Elizabeth lived in Judah in the south. The Gospel passage even told us that she "travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah.” Galilee her home area is flat, just like south Louisiana, but Judah was hilly. Moreover, according to google maps the distance between Galilee and Judah is about one hundred miles and takes about two hours to travel by car today, and about three days on foot, the means of transport Mary probably used. And so, why is Mary making this long and difficult journey?
We know from the cultural norms of the time that younger people usually helped older relatives. And so, Mary went to take care of her older cousin, who was already six months pregnant according to the angel Gabriel. I have never been pregnant, but I understand that especially in the last trimester, pregnant women need some help around the house. That is probably why some mothers today go to help their pregnant daughters. But here Mary, the younger woman, goes out to help the older woman. Luke ends this chapter saying, “Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.” In other words, Mary stayed until Elizabeth had safely given birth to John. And so, Advent Mary in anticipation of what her son Jesus would do, served rather than be served; she, the mother of the Saviour, served the mother of the prophet.
God chose Mary among others. Elizabeth resorts “Blessed are you among women.” The message is that just like Mary’s singular election for her specific role in God’s plan of salvation, each of us has also been chosen by God for a particular role in his plan of salvation. By virtue of our baptism and confirmation, we are all called to be disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ. And those among us who have received the sacraments of matrimony and holy orders, we have been tasked with serving others in other ways. Even without waiting for Elizabeth to tell us that we too are blessed, Advent Mary reminds each of us that we have a special place in God’s plan of salvation.
Elizabeth then says of Mary: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” She actually said “Yes.” She could have said “No” like Jonah the Prophet in the Old Testament did when God sent him on mission to Nineveh (Jonah 1-3). Or she could have received the news reluctantly and with incredulity like Zechariah received the news of John's conception and was punished with temporary muteness. But she responded affirmatively saying: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” For this response Elizabeth highlights Mary’s blessedness. Again, Mary shows us that when we respond to God's call, we too are blessed. Every time we respond to God’s Word, we too can be counted blessed. Every time we trust in His promises to us, we too can be counted blessed. Every time we give ourselves completely to him, saying, “Let it be done to me according to your will,” we too can be counted blessed.
Prayer in reflection
God our Father, you gave us Mary your mother as an example if great faith and hope in your holy and perfect will.
Allow us to be filled to overflowing as we joyfully await the coming of Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be call the Prince of Peace, and wonderful counselor.
May we seek always to serve those who are most in need, until that great day when we shall all gather in festive praise singing O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.