Homily for The Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary

 

While taking class for confirmation students one student asked me if Mother Mary had a choice in replying to the angel Gabriel. What would have happened if Mary had said no? A very interesting question indeed isn’t it - Could Mary have said No to the angel Gabriel?

My dear brothers and sisters on the feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary we focus on the role of Mary in the coming of Jesus into this world. Being a pious young Jewish girl, she knew the consequences of being an unmarried mother. The Law required the stoning of such women. Her Fiat, her Yes made all the difference. Mary’s fiat was not a passive surrender but rather a free and willing cooperation in the work of man’s salvation through faith and obedience.

When we talk about Mary’s role in the life of Jesus, generally the nativity or the birth of Jesus is highlighted and rightly so. To bring Jesus into the world, Mary had to go through many difficulties. First, she had to face society’s scrutiny over her unusual pregnancy. Then she had to make a challenging journey to Bethlehem to enroll in the Roman census. Yet, Mary, in complete surrender to God’s plan, gives us our joy, our Prince of Peace – the most beautiful flower, Jesus. The beauty of Mary’s Yes is that it was not a one-time Yes, it was not limited to only giving birth to Jesus. Mary’s yes extended all through Jesus’ life and that is why she is called the first and perfect disciple.

Her entire life was in service to her Son and His Mission in the world. She alone walked alongside her Son throughout His entire earthly life, in the quiet years of His upbringing and throughout His public ministry. And after Jesus grew up, it was at her request that Jesus performed his first miracle. She was a perfect disciple accompanying Jesus throughout his life and ministry. Mary taught us what the essence of true discipleship is - it is about inviting Jesus to lead us in life, at every moment and in all circumstances, bringing forth His presence into the world through our words, attitudes, actions, and decisions.

There are 3 C’s which make Mary special: the first C is Consent – Did Mary know completely what she was saying Yes to? Not likely. Yet, she responds in faith. Mary’s faith challenges us to ask ourselves some questions:

Do I say “May it be done to me” to God each day? Do I strive to understand God’s will for me each day? Do I strive to faithfully and daily follow God?

The second C is Cooperation – How often have we complained about the difficulties in our lives? Students complain about the studies they have to do, spouses complain about each other, parishioners complain about priests and priests complain about parishioners. However when we look at Mary there is no complaining, there is no taunting. She is totally involved in God’s salvific work – body, mind and heart. Mary is a model of how humans are to cooperate in God’s plan of salvation through total surrender. God takes the initiative yet human cooperation is involved. Mary cooperates freely and faithfully. Her life witness shows that God calls everyone to participate in His Kingdom mission, irrespective of one’s background and gender.

And the last C is Continuity – How often have we quit when things got difficult? Quite often we start with a good deed but as soon as difficulties begin or we are forced out of our comfort zone, we prefer to quit rather than struggle through it. Mary on the other hand continues to be a part of the mission of Jesus even after he is crucified. She continues staying and encouraging the disciples as we see in the Pentecost, and after her assumption, she is an intercessor for us in heaven.

Coming back to my question at the beginning - Could Mary have said No to the angel Gabriel? Yes, as a human being with free will, she could have said No to God and that’s why her Yes is so special. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Mary let us also become aware that we are called to be loyal promoters of Jesus and his work. Mary didn’t use her life for her own purposes, she supported Jesus in his ministry. If God brought about salvation through Mary’s fiat, imagine how much God can do with your Yes. Therefore, don’t be afraid when God changes your plans - allow him to surprise you and carry you through the unexpected. I pray that we will be able to follow the 3 C’s in our life – Consent, Cooperation, and Continuity and become loyal promoters of Jesus and his work.