MARY'S COMPANIONSHIP

mARy’S ComPANIoNSHIP

“Mary remained with her (Elizabeth) about three months and then returned to her home.” – Luke 1:56

Mary had just received the most incredible and unbelievable news — she has been chosen to bear the child of God. She must have been elated, fearful and honored all at the same time.

But when the angel spoke about the pregnancy of her elderly cousin, Elizabeth, Mary immediately set out on a five-day journey and traveled about 97 miles to Judea to be with her. Imagine Mary on a donkey despite her own delicate condition just so she could serve and be with Elizabeth for three months.

Foolish? Nope, Mary certainly knew what she was doing — she always obeyed God. For lack of an appropriate adjective for the Blessed Mother, I describe her as reckless in loving the Lord, who will risk life and limb to serve others and courageous in her “yes” to become the Mother of God. How truly blessed Elizabeth was to receive not only Mary’s companionship but also her profound empathy.

This Christmas, as we enjoy the companionship of our Blessed Mother, let us also be as generous as she was in extending our helping hand, holding out friendship and sharing our presence with those who need it the most.Dina Pecaña

REFLECTION:

Have you called upon Mary to accompany and intercede for you today?

Sustain us, O Virgin Mary, on our journey of faith and obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation. O clement, O loving, O sweet Mother of God and our Mother Mary, pray for us.

the sOng Of An upside-dOWn kingdOm

Once more, today’s Gospel passage brings us to Ein Karem, the place of the Visitation. In the chuch courtyard, pilgrims can find the song of Mary written in more than thirty languages, including Pilipino.

This joyful song has become the evening praise of the whole Church because it is part of the official Evening Prayer (Vespers) of the Church.

After Elizabeth had praised her cousin Mary for her faith, for saying Yes to God’s mysterious plan for her, young Mary, barely 14 years old, breaks out into a song of joy, the Magnificat.

In this song of Mary, we find a theme that goes through the whole Bible: “He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.”

Jesus was rightly called an “upside-down Messiah” who brought an “ upside-down Kingdom.” Whatever has value in the world, does not have value in his Kingdom. Whoever is acclaimed great in the world, is a nobody in the Kingdom of God.

Elizabeth, old and barren, was chosen to become the mother of John the Baptist.

Jesus chose men as apostles we probably would not have chosen; he selected simple, not very educated fishermen, and not the learned scribes and scholars in Jerusalem.

In two days we will gaze at the Belen and find the Son of God, our Savior, the King of kings, not in the royal palace of Jerusalem but lying as a helpless infant in a simple manger in a dirty cave where sheep were kept.

The song of Mary, sung in Ein Karem, reminds us constantly of a basic truth: It does not matter who we are in our society or what we possess. What matters is that we have a heart like Mary: open to the plans of God, ready to do God’s will in humility, ready to serve our fellowmen. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

Reflection Question:

Am I aware that when I imitate Jesus and Mary and humble myself, I am closer to God than when I brag about what I have or who I am?

Lord, Your Mother sang a wonderful song. She reminds me of the basic values in Your Kingdom: humility and service. Let me not forget these in these hectic days before Christmas.

Sts. Chaeremon, Lschyion, and other Martyrs, pray for us.