"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit."
Gospel of Luke
For the last couple of weeks, we have all enjoyed watching the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. As in London, the organizers in Russia will eventually proclaim: "We lit the flame and we lit up the world."
When our athletes return home, they will be welcomed and celebrated, not only for their athletic skills gained through years of disciplined practice, but for representing their respective country as models in sportsmanship and achievement.
We have right to be proud of them, and I don't want to belittle that fact. I've watched with amazement their many great achievements. But I am often struck by the contrast that exists between these models of sportsmanship and how they are celebrated in our society, and our models our faith.
How many in society wish to offer the same praise and emulate with the same dedication those from our faith tradition who have provided for us living testimonies of lives centered on faith in Christ.
Mary herself is such a model; not in the area of athletic achievement or sportsmanship, but on a life of humility and simplicity centered on God. Mary's testimony will never attract much fanfare, or cause must praise and celebration in the eyes of society, but her example has the power to change hearts, to give birth to the unexplained mystery of the God whom we all secretly yearn for.
Mary has been declared "Mother of the Church" because in her and through her we discover that part of ourselves that yearns for God and wishes to be united with God. She not only gives birth to the Son of God for the world, but potentially gives birth in each of us to a new way of life. She opens our eyes to the realization that the fanfare and the records of achievement can never surpass our need for God in our lives. Mary, through her simple expression of humility and faith shows us the path to God's grace.
As we reflect upon the Gospel of Luke and read of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth, we can say with her: "Of all women, you are the most blessed, and blessed is Jesus, the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord?
Yet, this is not an honor she attributes to herself in any way, but in gentleness and simplicity attributes it to the source of life she sees beyond herself. Mary, through her example, brings to us the joy of God's love, and the way to that love.
The path to God is not an easy one for many. The sign posts that mark the way are not always clear to us. Often we are just looking in the wrong places. One of the brightest signs visible to those who choose to look can be found in the model of Mary whose faith and humility shine brighter than any Olympic flame. Elizabeth recognized that flame. We who see Mary as a model for our own faith recognize the flame as well.
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