Friday of the Third Week of Advent
(I Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56)
A television drama showed an English matriarch generations ago being told that her son
had converted to Catholicism. Somewhat distressed
by the news, the woman asked, “You mean he will go to church with the servants?”
The situation of being Catholic in England one hundred years ago was not
different than being Christian in New Testament times. Fellow believers were largely from the
servant class. In the gospel we hear how
Mary identifies herself as God’s servant as well.
But if she is God's servant, Mary is also a disciple of His
Son Jesus. From the beginning she fulfills Jesus’ criteria of being a member of
his eschatological family. She hears the
word of God and puts it into practice (Luke 8:21). In today’s gospel Mary has
arrived at Elizabeth's house after a long journey. She left immediately after hearing from God
through the angel that the old woman was pregnant.
But there is another mark of the Christian disciple. He or
she has to interpret the word of God for others. It is not enough that she
repeats the word as it is heard. She should put it into practical terms so other
people will accept it. For this reason Mary does not just say that God is great
because he is sending His Son into the world to redeem it from sin. Rather, she
expresses the meaning of God’s act for the world: “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has
lifted up the lowly. He has
filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”
As Christ’s disciples, we should listen also intently to the
word of God, put it into practice, and, when talking to others, interpret it
for them. Today we might say how Jesus continues to heal millions through
hospitals and has educated hundreds of millions more through schools founded by
his followers. Certainly, God continues
to do wonderful things.
