Of course, this is the most important reason to honor Mary. She was chosen to give birth to the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the World. At a very young age, she was faced with the frightening idea that she would become pregnant, out of wedlock, and then be responsible for the care and raising of Jesus Christ, upon whom the entire world was depending for eternal salvation.
That is no little calling. How often do we know in our hearts there is something we really should do, but we avoid it for a while because it is daunting in some way. Maybe we’re afraid of what others will think about us. Maybe we’re afraid it will be too difficult or that we won’t be successful. How long can I manage to avoid the things I don’t want to do.
But when Gabriel came to Mary, she didn’t hesitate. She asked one question, but her question wasn’t about avoiding, just clarifying. She wondered how it would happen, since she had not been with a man. The next thing you know, she’s saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
And with that, God’s Holy Spirit brought the incarnation into the world. When Jesus was still a baby, Mary and Joseph presented Him in the Temple. There she met Simeon and Anna, who were both very old, and who both looked at Jesus and somehow knew that they were seeing the Savior. Simeon warned Mary that a sword would pierce her heart.
How did she react to them? The Gospel writers don’t give us much more about that scene. I imagine her response might have been similar to the visit of the shepherds. The Gospel tells us, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Again, she sets that example for us.
How often do we experience significant moments in our lives, and then just rush on to the next event. Do we take the time to pause and reflect about the important developments of our lives?
We see Mary again when Jesus is twelve years old and they lose him in the temple. Then she is with Jesus at the wedding at Cans and convinces Him to perform His first miracle. Finally, we hear about Mary during the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and with the Apostles right after the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven.
I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time when one of my children or someone I love is even just a little sick. How does she have the courage to face all of that? Well, I suppose we know the answer to that question. She had God’s unending grace.
In fact, through the grace of God, Mary was entirely without sin. That is the Catholic teaching about her. That is the feast we celebrate tomorrow. How fitting that Mary would be held free from sin. After all, she was the first person on earth to meet Jesus. She was entrusted with His care.
Now it is up to us to do our best to meet Jesus, too. Then again, we are not free from sin, like Mary. How can we expect to ever be worthy to meet Jesus? Honestly, we can’t. It is impossible for any of us to make ourselves worthy. However, “for God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
This is why we don’t worship Mary, we honor her. We are even devoted to her, but by her words, “For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1: 48-49)
So this is how I want to go into the beautiful feast of the Immaculate Conception tomorrow. I want to take all these thoughts about Mary and reflect on them in my heart. It is my prayer that contemplating Mary tomorrow, we will all learn a little more about how to say, “Yes!” to our callings from God.
Dear God, please guide us to Your will as we think about the beautiful example of the Blessed Mother of our Lord and Savior. As Mary reminds us, Holy is Your Name.