THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (Luke 2)
It would seem to be only a coincidence. Nevertheless, it happens every year. Around Christmas there is a rash of funerals. Any pastor with experience can confirm this coincidence. In spite of our best attempts to create a heaven on earth at this time of year, people continue to suffer.
The truth of the matter is that Christmas can be either a hopeful or a disillusioning experience. The problem is not that physically sick people let go of life at Christmas. It is that spiritually sick people are blind to their malady. God sends his son to save us from our sins. But we must acknowledge that we are sinners. That is, we must realize that we carry in our hearts the sickness of evil that may result in our moral demise. Only by so doing, can we accept the salvation that God offers in his new-born son.
In the gospel today, we see three distinct groups of people. Each represents a different way of receiving the good news of Jesus’ birth. First, there are the shepherds. They hear from the angels that a savior is born and act on the message. They go to Bethlehem to see the child who is their Lord and King. They also tell others of what has taken place. Thus, they fulfill the Gospel call to evangelize. We may see ourselves as like these shepherds. After all we come to church today in order to worship our recently born savior. Let us not forget to testify to others all that God has done for us. Have you ever had a prayer request granted? Probably it has happened frequently. Then don’t be ashamed to tell even cynics of how God’s goodness to you.
The second group that we encounter in this gospel is the people who are amazed at what the shepherds tell them. Unfortunately, they do not act on the good news. Like many people who witness Jesus’ mighty deeds in the gospel they hold back their acceptance of him. We can see these doubters as representative of the millions who celebrate Christmas with tinsel and mistletoe but avoid the deeper meaning of the feast. They refuse to acknowledge their sinfulness and to change their ways in accord with the teaching of the new-born king.
The third group is really just one person. Mary has already acted decisively on the good news announced to her also by an angel. Now the passage says that she reflects in her heart on the events taking place. Thus, Mary becomes the model Christian – always seeking to deepen her understanding of Christ’s coming so that she may renew her commitment to the Lord. We might find those people attending adult education classes at church as imitating Mary For the most part these people not only seek knowledge but are active in church ministry.
Some of us remember the “Litany of the Blessed Virgin.” In it we call Mary by many names such as “ivory tower” and “arc of the Covenant.” One of those titles that is especially striking is “seat of wisdom.” Mary is wise because she reflects upon the word of God in her heart and regularly puts it into practice. In this new year 2007 let us try to be wise like Mary. Let us reflect upon the God’s word and act on it.
