And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Luke 1:46-55
 

And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

John 19:25-27

LOVE, FAITH AND TRUST

Years ago, I read the wrong text for my devotional. Instead of reading the text that was set earlier in John, I read one of the hardest parts of the story, Jesus on the cross. The Gospel of John names Mary, his mother at the foot of it. This is a hard story to include in an Advent devotion yet it is powerful to read where this incredible story begins and a powerful middle part—for we know Jesus on the cross is not where this story ends.

This accidental read led me to see Mary in a different light. Often times we do not know quite what to do with Mary. She was a fourteen year old girl and these two texts give us a glimpse into what kind of woman of faith she was. You see, Mary was brave. She said a bold “yes” to a Divine plan that was not fully explained and flushed out to her. She said “yes” knowing she would most likely be shamed by her community for being pregnant out of wedlock. She said “yes” not knowing that years later, she would stand at the foot of a cross, seeing her son hanging there. 

I have wondered time and time again about this bold woman. About the hopes she had for herself and for her son and the many ways they most likely went against her plans. Yet, this woman still said “yes” and she chose to be present there when her son was crucified, and was probably one of the women who went to the tomb that ultimately stood empty. 

This week we lit the Advent candle of love and Mary embodies this love. The love, faith and trust she had in God and God’s divine plan to redeem God’s people is evident in her Magnificat. And the love this woman has for her son is evident throughout her entire story. May we be bold and brave with our yeses and may we open our hearts to love even when it is hard.

Peace and Joy,
Margaret