Our Catholic understanding is that we look to Mary as the most perfect human example of discipleship—one for us to imitate as we seek to align our wills to Christ’s Will and become his partners, albeit junior partners, in building up the Kingdom of God here on earth. Mary offers us an example of faith and trust to follow so that we are free and able to say “yes” to the Lord’s call to be one with Him in bringing compassion, forgiveness and mercy into the world around us. We do this in- and-through our adherence to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy of the Church.
Now before we go any further, let’s admit that this is not easy. There we said it. “It isn’t easy being Catholic or Christian” especially in ever-increasing secular world that finds little interest, and even littler support, for Christianity (and I mean “support” for the faith itself not for the end-results of Christian faith, e.g. feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, healthcare for the sick and so on—the State certainly desires religious institutions to “do” their part, not just profess their beliefs). But we already know that Christ did not promise us an easy faith journey; His wasn’t. Nor did He promise us smooth sailing. What He does promise us is a safe and assured landing in the Port of all ports: Heaven.
Therefore our role as Christian disciples is to live out our faith in the midst of and among the obstacles to faith. Being Christian means that in the middle of hatred or jeering, as they pass laws making it more difficult to “be” Christian or find ways to impede faith-based actions, we are called to be like Christ who even amid the crucifixion did not turn His back on the Father, but literally said, “Thy Will be done.” While most, of us will not be crucified for our faith, and for living it out, we shall face difficult times—we will be mocked by friends and family perhaps, we might even be hesitant to speak what we truly think and believe for fear of what our “friends” think of us. But Christ asks us to choose Him in the world. He commands us to Be Him in the world. Will we?
When we look at Theotokos, Mary the God-bearer, we see that she too was fearful and “pondered the words” of the Angel Gabriel that her family and community might wondered why she was chosen, and ask can it be, is she up to it? We also might have the same ponderings and fears about Christ calling us to greater, active faith, and we might even share the same reactions to what our family and friends in the community might think of us. But let us remember the words spoken by the Angel Gabriel to Mary: “For nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1:37)
Indeed nothing is impossible for God. Look at the magnificent world around us. Look at His Creative power, His wonder, and His love for each of us. Look at the life of the Church over human history and even when the Church fails due to her human institutions, God still keeps her going to spread the Good News of the Gospels. Shall we choose, as Mary did, to have trust and hope in the God of all creation? Will we be like her and say “Yes!” to the Lord? Will be we His partners in His Divine plan for human salvation and make His Kingdom known today, so that all who believe may live forever in the Kingdom that shall not end?
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us! Christ and His Church are here for you. Come join us.
May the Christmas season continue to bring you the abundant and choicest blessings of God our Father, for you and all those you love.