Fourth Sunday of Advent (“B”)
Q. 507: I am not called to be “Mother of God,” so how can today’s gospel (Lk 1:26-38) speak to me? (Return to INDEX page of "Didja Know?" series)
December 21, 2008
A. 507: Can you imagine the wonder and excitement that must have been stirred up in Mary’s heart? Think about it: God’s plan of salvation is taking a giant step towards fulfillment, by means of this young girl! And of course, she has to share the news with someone, so she goes dashing off to help her cousin Elizabeth prepare to give birth to John the Baptist.
It is Mary’s heart that is being modeled for us today. She clearly had a humble heart, trusting totally in God. She also clearly had a prayer life that kept her tuned in to God’s will at all times. So when the “invitation” came to become the mother of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, there was only one trusting answer for her to give: “May it be done to me according to your word.”
Mary is the “Theotókos,” as the early church called her, the “God-bearer” (a title given by the ecumenical Council of Ephesus, 431 a.d.). And now you and I are also being requested by God to be “God-bearers,” but in a different, two-fold sense. We are privileged by our baptismal commitment to be true disciples who can both carry and spread the Good News about God’s plan of salvation through Messiah Jesus. And we are also privileged to correct injustices like poverty and discrimination wherever we can, carrying out the will of Jesus Christ.
In a spiritual sense, you too can become a “mother” by giving birth to the fruits of stewardship through your actions! Stewardship includes voting correctly, praying for God’s help, assisting the poor as much as possible, and sharing the gift of our discipleship rather than selfishly hoarding it.
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! The “obedience of faith” demands that we respond to God’s will regarding moral and ethical matters in our life and in society itself (CCC #494). God’s design of redemption and salvation includes you carrying out your part of the plan.
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
(Go back to Deacon Paul's HOME PAGE)
