WELCOMING JESUS IN THE COMPANY OF MARY

IV SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Luke 1:26-38

As Christmas gets nearer, we are presented with the figure of Mary, a girl from Nazareth, who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. The gospels say very little about Mary, and what they say about her is in relation with Jesus, who occupies the centre stage in everything that is written not only in the Gospels, but in the whole New Testament. We would like to know much more about Mary, and we would like to know even more about Jesus. However, the Gospels were not written to satisfy our curiosity, but to lead us to faith in Jesus Christ, so that in him we find life and salvation.

A woman of faith

Mary appears as a woman of faith, whose life gets its meaning from God’s presence and intervention in her life. She is a woman of faith, by her openness to God, allowing him to come into her life and to turn it upside down, since God’s ways are always different from our ways. She is a woman of faith, with a listening heart, prompting her to listen to God’s word. And she proves to be a woman of faith by her readiness to believe, accept and obey. She surrenders her life to God. 

While Eve defied God, Mary surrendered herself to God

Looking at Mary, it comes to our minds the figure of another woman, totally different in character, Eve. She was suspicious of God’s sincerety and intent, and decided to ignore God’s word and follow her own instincts. Eve’s attitude was one of disobedience and revolt, with the intent of taking God’s place. Mary follows a totally different path. It was not an easy path, because the path of faith is never easy. At the greeting of the Angel, Mary was disturbed and felt perplexed. Not knowing what to make of it, she expressed her reservations and inquired about the meaning of God’s plan. Hearing the Angel’s explanation, she answered back: I am a servant of the Lord! Let it be with me according to your word (Lk 1:38).

In her surrender to God’s will, Mary has the same basic attitude of Jesus Christ: May your will be done!

Mary was the first disciple. She welcomed Jesus in her life and put herself totally at his service. Whatever she is - her dignity and her role - she is because of Jesus Christ. Like Mary, let us open our hearts to Jesus, welcome him in our lives and commit ourselves to his service.