4th Sunday of Advent
(Cycle “B" – December 18, 2005)

Q. 350:   In today’s gospel (Luke 1:26-38), a divine messenger (Gabriel) brings Mary the awesome news of the forthcoming Incarnation of the Messiah, and we hear the Blessed Virgin Mary’s assent.   Other than “rejoicing” at the memory of this long-awaited Good News, where can my meditation take me?

A. 350:
  Mary’s response to God can lead us in many directions, but today let’s focus on just two points.   The context, of course, is Mary’s humble submission of her will to God’s will in all things, and the fact that the “birthing process” began at that very moment of her “Yes.”

There is a Dominican mystic from the 14th century that is often quoted, because his words capture so well our own participation in this birthing process.   Meister Eckhart asks the questions that we all ought to consider.   First he asks: “What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture?”   Mary’s “Yes” that brought Christ to the world is not just a “memory event,” such as recalling Babe Ruth or Tiger Woods setting records to remember.   Instead, it ought to lead us to ponder how to imitate her: how can I bring Christ to the daily world that I live and participate in?   Do I reflect Christ in what I say and do?   Am I a true disciple, like Mary the model disciple?

A second question that Meister Eckhart asks: “What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son . . . does not take place within myself?”  When God comes to dwell within us at our Baptism, we are empowered to live the Christ-life, one oriented to loving God and Neighbor.   Do I see that orientation in my own heart, or am I still oriented to selfishness?   Do I humbly submit to all of the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church, without exception, so that its wisdom can grow in my heart?

In summary, in a sense your personal meditation can parallel Mary’s journey: have I truly given an unqualified “Yes” to Jesus in my own life, and what is the best way for me to bring this Good News to my own little world?

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM!   Mary and all the Saints have one thing in common: they “will His will alone” (CCC #2827).   This is our life, our desire and our destiny: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to Your word” (CCC #2817).  Mary is the perfect model of the “obedience of faith” that we disciples are all called to imitate (CCC #148).

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha

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