We Are All Called To Be Mother Of Christ

12-24-2017Weekly ReflectionFather Tony Okolo, CSSp

We are very close to Christmas and tonight we begin the celebration of the mystery of the incarnation of Christ among us. As we can see, the attention shifts from John the Baptist to Mary the Mother of God. It is good to point out that this story is only found in Luke's gospel. Hence, we reflect upon Mary's example of faith and obedience to God which permitted her to receive the angel's message that God's son would be born as a human person like one of us. She is to be mother of Christ.

Mother of Christ is a title we usually reserve for Mary. But Mary is mother of Christ in two senses. She is mother of Christ in the physical sense that she carried Jesus in her womb and gave birth to him. This is an unrepeatable event and an honor that no other human being could share with her. But she is also mother of Christ in a spiritual sense. In a spiritual sense, the role of being mother of Christ is available to all Christians. We all, men, women and children, can and should become mothers of Christ. No one is excluded from this call to be the mother of Christ.

What is this spiritual motherhood of Christ and how does it happen? For the answer we need to go right back to Jesus himself. While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers and sisters?" And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers and sisters! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:46-50).

This shows that first, Jesus expects his followers to be not only his brothers and sisters but his mothers as well, and secondly, the way to be the mother of Jesus is by doing the will of God. Spiritual motherhood of Christ is attained by saying yes to God, just as Mary did, even when God appears to demand from us what is humanly impossible, like asking Mary to be a virgin mother. To become mother of Christ we need to make the prayer of Mary our own: "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

God bestowed on Mary all the greatest favors in order of grace. When the sun was shining or the sky was black, Mary was led by his grace. Why was the extraordinary favor done to Mary alone? Because, as St Paul tells the Romans, "When the mystery of Jesus Christ, hidden from many ages, was finally revealed, God expected human beings to believe and obey" (Rom 16:25-26) and Mary was the first disciple of Christ to believe and obey. Mary believed. Her faith was humble and hence she first believed and only then reasoned upon it. Yes, God wanted Mary to submit even that noble reason to faith. Some people cling to their reason so adamantly that they are never able to see the light of faith. Mary's faith was ever active and hence she not only accepted the divine truth but dwelt upon it, used it and developed it. Her faith was ever active and hence "the handmaid of the Lord" did not exclude even death from her faith. Mary obeyed. Her obedience was risk taking when she said "Let it be done according to thy word" (Lk 1:38). She did not realize the full implication of the word. Her obedience was loving. She loved God and hence trusted in him and obeyed. Mary kept on saying "YES" to God till the end of her earthly story. Let's imitate Mary by saying "Yes" everyday by our own act of faith and obedience to God especially as we prepare to welcome him in our lives this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas to you all, as I wish you and your families a graceful celebration of Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

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