Before we reach
Christ's birth in Luke's gospel we are already well aware of how special Mary
is. The angel Gabriel calls her "most highly favored" and her cousin
Elizabeth exclaims how she is "most blessed". She is the one in whom
the blessings spoken of by God to Moses are to be fulfilled. Yet she has no
claims to greatness. She is a maiden betrothed to a man named Joseph in an
insignificant village in the unimportant region of Galilee. Luke traces the
genealogy of Jesus through his foster-father, Joseph. Mary herself, in her
great hymn of praise on her visit to Elizabeth, will speak of her own lowliness
and marvel at how God has chosen the weak and poor to confound the rich and
powerful.
In this sense the
shepherds are Mary's natural companions. They too are looked down upon. Mary is
great not through any social connections or natural talents but because God has
blessed her and chosen her. She becomes the model for the many characters in
Luke's gospel who will turn social expectations upside down: the Good
Samaritan, the woman who was a sinner, Zacchaeus and the Prodigal Son, to name
but a few. She is the one who, with the Spirit living in her heart, is able to
cry "Abba, Father". She becomes the first of those freed from
slavery, the first heir among the children of God.
How she accepts
God's blessing and choice is important. In a phrase Luke will repeat, Mary is
reported as treasuring all these things and pondering them in her heart. She is
the model of prayerful reflection, the one who allows the Spirit to speak and
inspire. The result of her reflection is in this case transposed onto the
shepherds. They go back glorifying and praising God for all they have heard and
seen. In the Magnificat it is Mary herself who glorifies and praises God for
all he has done.
Mary is a
wonderful model for us as we begin this New Year. I wish you every blessing,
happiness and health throughout 2012. May our parish and parishioners continue
to be blessed!
Fr. Phil
Prayer for the New Year
Give us the kindness to hear with compassion,
to offer support,
loving comfort and care.
Give us the courage to do what is needed,
the wisdom to choose
what is right and most fair.
Give us the vision to see what is possible.
Give us the faith
that will help pave the way
for a present that’s hopeful,
a future that’s peaceful---
give us the heart to bring joy each day.
