"Blessed is the womb that carried you
and the breasts at which you nursed."
In the sense that one could be blessed by being a mother in that natural order Mary wasn't particularly more blessed than others. We believe that Jesus was an obedient child as he grew in wisdom and stature. But we know better than to think that Mary had an easier life than others because she was the mother of Jesus. It actually led to challenges, albeit different ones than those faced by other parents. He was pursued by Herod after his birth forcing his family to flee to Egypt. Without a word he remained behind in Jerusalem to talk with the scholars in the temple. Although he gained some fame and popularity it wasn't such as could be entirely beneficial for those with whom he was associated since he also made many enemies and gained notoriety within the religious establishments of the time. Finally, he was executed as a criminal while his mother looked on. None of these things, at least superficially, would cause someone to call Mary blessed.
Yet we know that Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, called Mary the most blessed among women. But Elizabeth's prophecy specified why Mary was thus blessed, and it wasn't on the basis on mere blood relationship. She said, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled" (see Luke 1:41-45). This was consistent with what Jesus told the woman who called out from the crowd in today's Gospel. His mother wasn't blessed merely because he was born of her womb and nursed it her breast. She was blessed, and indeed only became the mother of Jesus, because she heard the word of God and observed it. She agreed with the divine word spoken by the archangel Gabriel, allowing the word to bear fruit within both her body and soul. It was this supernatural relationship with her Son that transformed what many could have found to be, at best, an inconvenience and a liability, into the greatest possible blessing. At the cross no onlooker would have called Mary blessed. But Mary, reading the situation through the lens of obedience to the word, would have realized that it was indeed a privilege to be able to remain with Jesus as he offered himself for the sake of the world. No doubt even then she was able to persist in hope when all hope seemed impossible. For she had long since come to experience the truth of the promise of the angel that nothing would be impossible for God.
We who are not even distantly genetically related to Jesus can still share in these blessings of his spiritual family when we follow Mary's example of faith and obedience. Then, even as we individually face challenges for which no one would envy us, we can read even in difficult moments the blessedness that we cannot lose as long as we remain near to Jesus. We can persist, remaining confident in hope that does not disappoint (see Romans 5:5), just as Mary did.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
Maverick City Music Featuring Brandon Lake And Phil Wickham - Forever And Ever Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment