12/15/2020
Advent 2020 Reflection:
Our focus for this Christmas Season on the Immaculate Conception.
Luke 1:30-33 “Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ ”
I listened to a homily recently by Fr. Singh of Saint Kateri Parish, and I feel he stated it very well. Below are a mix of some of his thoughts and mine.
We all read this and think, “Wow, how amazing that the Virgin Mary was chosen by God. What great news that would have been!” But as the verses continue St. Luke accounts that our Blessed Mother was troubled and immediately questioned the angel. This was not great news to her. This was a whole weird situation and such news could get her killed! Remember, in that time if a woman became pregnant out of wedlock the punishment was death, and usually by stoning. Even with all that in mind, she submitted herself wholeheartedly to God. She responded with “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
The Blessed Virgin Mary did not understand what or how things would pan out, but she did know that could trust in God, and that He would take care of her. She is the fundamental example of how to deny oneself for God’s Glory, submitting fully and without hesitation.
How often have we heard God and denied Him of what he asks? Are there times when we have not understood what “life” is throwing at us, and rather than becoming upset at the world, have instead leaned in to God further for His support and guidance? How can we be more like our Blessed Mother? What does God have planned for us, and how can we do better to sense Him, listen and abide?
God is our Ultimate Protector. He will not forsake us as long as we follow Him wherever He asks us to go. For Mary, her unfailing trust led her to become the Blessed Mother of all God’s people, and her example will forever live against the test of time.
Thank you for reading and God bless!