Mary, Mother of God

In today’s gospel Luke narrates how the mother of Jesus, Mary and the shepherds show gratitude to God each in their own different way for the same gift – for sending Jesus to earth as our Savior. But Mary’s gratitude to God perhaps is the most effective form of expression.
Luke also narrates Mary’s song of praise to God when she visited her cousin Elizabeth. She sang, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (1:46-55) However, in today’s passage we see her thankfulness is beyond words. He says, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Here, “kept” means that she not only constantly bore these things in her heart but also pondered every detail that surrounded the birth of her son Jesus. It was very special to her. Her heart became the place of discovering Jesus, and who he truly is. She spent her life pondering the visible Word of God that was and is her Son. She grew in knowing him, in comprehending the mystery of God. As someone said, “Thankfulness is more than a comparison of our own circumstances to someone else’s. It is more than having enough food to eat, a nice home, good health, or financial security, because any of these can be lost in an instant. Thankfulness is being grateful to God for who we are; His sacrifice for us; and the hope and joy of everlasting life. Thankfulness is a state of being and a way of life for Christians.” Blessed Mother Teresa said it much more deeply, “The best way to show my gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with JOY.”
As we come to the end of or beginning of another year how do we show our thankfulness to God? Let us remember, like Mary, what we have heard and learned about our Lord Jesus from the scriptures; from our parents and forefathers. Let us keep in our hearts all that He has done for us. Let us then love Him for what He is to us. Let us hold him fast forever more. Let us reflect upon what we experience in our day to day relationship with our spouse, children, siblings, friends and neighbors. Let us go to a place of worship or find a quiet place to think about all that’s good – our health, our family, and our home – and simply say “thank you” to our Creator. Let us in joy and with joy, thank the Lord for everything, even for our sufferings. Let us constantly reconnect ourselves to and with our God, the Father to experience the Peace, Joy, Love and Hope that we have exchanged with one another and pray for at the time of Christmas.