I am the Servant of the Lord

December 18, 2011

4^th Sunday of Advent (B)

Luke 1: 26-38     "I am the Servant of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word."

Some religious educators fear that Catholics give too much honor to Mary. A common reply to this concern is that God Himself bestowed a sublime dignity on Mary by choosing her as the mother of His Son. Listen to what the angel Gabriel says to her in today’s gospel reading: “You have found favor with God. The Holy Spirit will come over you. Your child will be the Son of God. Blessed are you among women.” Because all these praises and privileges were freely bestowed upon one woman by the Creator Himself, then that woman must surely deserve our admiration.

Mary is vital to our faith today for another reason. Mary was deeply holy but sensibly practical. On the question of bearing a child, she immediately asked, “How can this be?’ since she was not married. Here we see a beautiful touch of toughness in Mary who trusted yet questioned and gave her consent on the condition that the information was correct --- “I am the servant of the Lord.  Be it done to me according to your word.” Who, better than Mary, can help us prepare for the birth of the Christ Child? Our imitation of her virtues can also make Christ present within us and through us His light can illumine the world.

On this final Sunday of the Advent Season, we pray:

“O LOVING FATHER, AS WE AWAIT THE BIRTH OF JESUS, TEACH US ALWAYS TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF MARY OUR MOTHER. THIS  IS OUR PRAYER THROUGH JESUS CHRIST YOUR SON OUR LORD. AMEN.”