The “Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God” that we celebrate today is the most ancient feast of Mary in the Roman calendar. It celebrates Mary’s unique role as the Theotokos, a Greek word that means God-bearer. Mary was officially given the title of God-bearer, or Mother of God, way back at the Council of Ephesus in 431AD. This was in response to a great debate that arose in the early Church. There were those who could not accept the notion that Mary was the mother of God. They recognized her as the mother of Jesus – the man – but could not fathom the idea that she could also be the mother of God. After all, God eternal, existed from all time; he was never born. But, the Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, came to understand that, because her son Jesus is one person who is both God and man, divine and human, Mary was, indeed, the mother of God.
That title would have surely overwhelmed the simple woman of Nazareth. But, she didn’t have time to concern herself with theology, dogma, titles or solemnities. Instead, she had a new baby, a confused but faithful husband and unexpected visitors coming to witness the scene where her family was trying to make do so far from home.
What do we know of this young woman? First, we learn in the Gospel of Luke that God looked upon her kindly, or in Luke’s words, she had found favor with God. The angel Gabriel told her this, as we hear on the feast of the Annunciation. Then, we witness her humble self-description: “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” In spite of the incredible message she had received from the angel Gabriel, Mary’s response exhibited a tremendous humility and inner peace. She trusted in God, gave birth to her child and simply cared for him, as God intended.
When the shepherds appeared on the scene they seemed to know far more than Mary. Delighted to discover her son wrapped in swaddling clothes in the manger as the angel had told them, they started spreading the word as if they understood exactly what was going on. You can just hear them announcing to Mary and everyone else there what the angel had told them: that her infant was the savior, Messiah and Lord.
Like many of us do so often, those shepherds were quick to make proclamations about what they thought God was up to in their midst. Like Jesus’ own disciples, these first witnesses may well have had the right vocabulary – savior, Messiah and Lord – but they had no idea about God’s true plan. The shepherds talked, others were “amazed,” and we don’t hear a single word from Mary.
Luke tells us that “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” In fact, throughout her life, it seems that she was a woman of few words. When Luke tells us that Mary kept things in her heart, the word he uses indicates a long process of mulling, a life of discernment, trying to put together all the pieces of a mystery beyond her understanding. While the process didn’t lead to quick conclusions, it also didn’t mean that she gave up on it. Rather, she was a contemplative in action. Mary had more to ponder than anyone else in this story. She had to question her experience and her response. She had to make sense of all that she had encountered while balancing it with the traditions of her people. She must have accepted living with more questions than answers and far more hope than certainty. And, she had to change the diapers of her newborn son and fix the meals for her family.
For so many, January 1st has a carnival atmosphere to it. To celebrate, we do all sorts of things: watch fireworks, parades and football games, drink champagne and toast new beginnings. But, in the midst of all this excitement, we do well to imitate Mary. She, the mother of the God who came in the flesh of a needy infant, was able to contemplate and learned to remain open to God’s plans for her, to allow her faith to exceed her uncertainties and her hope to give her resolve beyond her power to understand.
And, in the language of New Year’s celebrations, Mary made a resolution – the resolution to open her heart to the amazing, enlivening fullness of grace she received from God; the resolution to give a wholehearted “yes, be it done to me according to your word.” She sought to do God’s will as she went about her everyday life, taking care of her husband and the infant God had given to her care.
We look to the Mother of God to teach us how to live simply as contemplatives in action. Then, we too, can be blessed as the Lord blessed Moses and his family in today’s first reading: “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” As beloved sons and daughters of God, heirs to God’s kingdom through his son – the son of Mary – let us contemplate the great gift of this feast and, like Mary, reflect on the wonderful things God has done for us. Let us resolve to say “yes” to whatever our Lord has in store for us this year. That will lead us to live in the peace that only God can give. Happy New Year!