Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
(Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4,4-7; Luke 2:16-21)
There is only one passage about Mary that the three
evangelists -- Mark, Matthew, and Luke -- report. It is worth comparing how
each evangelist treats the situation. In it Jesus is teaching at his house in
Capernaum. People are crowding the door to listen when his mother and other
relatives arrive. According to Mark, when Jesus finds out that his relatives
are looking for him, he almost disowns them. With a gesture of his arm he looks
at his disciples inside the house and says that they are his mother and his siblings.
He adds, "'Whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and my
mother"'.
According to Matthew, Jesus does about the same when Mary
comes to his house in Capernaum. However, Matthew reports early in his gospel
that Mary conceives by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it should be said that
Matthew views Mary with more reverence than Mark, who reports nothing of the
birth of Jesus.
Luke emphasizes the importance of Mary. In the episode at
the house in Capernaum, Jesus does not indicate that only his disciples are his
relatives. On the contrary, he says that anyone who attends to the word of God
belongs to his family. From the beginning of his gospel, Luke shows Mary doing
that. When the angel tells her that Elizabeth is pregnant with her, Mary goes
"in haste" to visit her. In today's gospel, although he does not tell
of an action, Luke says that Mary meditates in her heart the report of the
shepherds.
St. Luke also highlights both the humility and the dauntlessness
of the virgin mother. When the angel tells her of God's plan for her to be the
mother of His son, she responds with the famous "fiat":
"'Here is the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your
word'". And when she meets Elizabeth, Mary begins to preach how God raises
up the poor while he brings down the mighty.
The Gospel of John is also favorable towards Mary although it
mentions her only twice. The first time occurs when Mary solicits her son on
behalf of the diners at the wedding in Cana. The second time is even more
striking. Mary is at the cross of Jesus along with two of Jesus’ closest
disciples. She is his faithful disciple to the end.
From this summary of gospel passages dealing with Mary, we
can make some resolutions for the new year. First, like Mary we want to be more
attentive to the word of God and more ready to put it into practice. We hear
the word of God at Sunday Mass, but it would be helpful to read a Bible passage
daily. Second, we should pray to Mary to ask her son for our needs. We do this
every time we pray "Hail, Mary…" although we can be more focused about
our requests. Third, it is increasingly important that we be humble before
others. Pride often prevents cooperation and friendship between people.
Finally, we want to remain faithful to the Lord, come what may. We know that he
will never leave us. Many Ukrainians continue to ask for God's help, even
though they have suffered enormous injustice. How is it that some people no
longer attend mass because the priest does not preach well? As the mother of
Jesus undoubtedly taught her son in her childhood, she has much to teach us
today.
