Mary

In a way, Mary keeps Jesus real: she is his mother; he is a member of a family. Mary’s yes to God was the occasion for God to assume flesh and enter the world, and she is an example that where Christ goes, so will we. She anchors Jesus to the human family.

Mary shows a faith that says yes to God without conditions or negotiations, and in doing so she realizes the fulness of her humanity and her sharing in the divine life. Contemplating this mystery, we are drawn to another plane and invited to make Mary’s truth our truth, that we find the fulness of our humanity in sharing fully in the life of God.

In our own life we share in the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection—an experience which gives us perspective and hope. The movement of our life is ultimately toward community, which is made possible by our freely given yes, just as Mary said yes to what God was asking of her.

Jesus promises us only two things: a share in his suffering and a share in his glory. And over the course of our life we’re sure to experience both the suffering and the glory. The key thing to remember on our journey is that the Lord walks with us every step of the way, as we walk with each other in faith and in hope.

“All generations will call me blessed, for God has looked on his lowly handmaid.” (Luke 1:48)