by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
Today’s Gospel, the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), leads us to reflect on the humility of Mary, the Mother of our Lord. We can learn much from the words she utters to the Angel Gabriel on hearing that she is to be the mother of the “Son of God.” She says: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.” Total submission!
How many of us Christians submit ourselves totally to the Lord’s will? Are we only obedient when it suits us? Mary’s life stands as a shining example to us of the way in which the followers of Jesus should live.
The Angel told Mary that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and she believed; she opened her heart and mind by her pious response. Our Catechism (CCC721) tells us that: “Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because his Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men. In this sense the Church’s Tradition has often read the most beautiful texts on wisdom in relation to Mary. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the ‘Seat of Wisdom’.”
In Acts 1:8, at the time of the ascension of Our Lord, He reminded His disciples that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to empower them: “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.”
Each of us is called to be Christ’s witnesses – in our thoughts, words and actions – throughout our life’s journey. Let us use this opportunity during this fourth week of Advent to reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the Holy Spirit which we are given freely, which are strengthened within us at Confirmation, and which “unites us more firmly to Christ.”
“Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God’s presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts” (CCC 694, 1302, 1303).
In all my trials and tribulations over the years, I have held on to the words of the Angel Gabriel when he said to Mary: “…nothing is impossible to God”. God is omnipotent. There have been times when I have felt that because of my human limitations, I would not be able to achieve my goals. And then my Catholic teaching would come to the fore and I would recall that all that I can do, all that I am is “gift” from God and that I can do nothing without His grace and mercy.
Belief in the Word of God encourages us to go out there and spread the Good News by the way in which we live our lives. However, I must admit that I sometimes fall and fail to listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling me to do. But on repenting I remember that we are all Saints in the making.
The words in Galatians 2:20 should lead us to trust in the Lord as we journey on: “…I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me…” Christ now lives in us. If we do not submit to the teachings of Christ, who lives in us; if we fail to recognise the sovereignty of our Lord, then unlike Mary, we will not be His true “handmaids.”
Christmas is upon us this week. Let us draw close to the stable and worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. On behalf of all CCSJ members and staff, I wish you all a blessed, holy Christmas and a peaceful and Spirit-filled New Year. May the light of Love incarnate, who came so that we will live, shine on all of us.
Lord, we know that with you all things are possible, heal our troubled land and our world and inspire us to build your kingdom of truth, justice, peace, love and freedom.
Amen.
