When I first began going through the process of becoming Catholic, I really struggled when it came to Mary. I erroneously believed that Catholics worshiped her and prayed to her! If you are not Catholic, my guess is you have either believed this or still do!
Before I was Catholic, however, I also struggled with the way that my Protestant friends and churches didn't really seem to give Mary enough attention. When Mother Theresa was asked why Catholics give Mary so much attention, her answer was simple, "No Mary, No Jesus."
Catholics do NOT worship Mary, they honor her. Today is one of the feast days where she is honored. We also don't pray to her, but pray for her intercession for us.
My priest talked about Mary yesterday and how we have totally romanticized her "yes" to God. When Mary said yes, she was essentially ending her marriage and putting her life completely on the line. This was just the immediate danger to her.
We sometimes romanticize the way that she went off to see Elizabeth after the angel left her and overlook that line that says she "traveled to the hill country in haste." As Monsignor Rowan added, she literally "ran for the hills," for her life!
Sometimes we think it would be cool to be the Mother of God, right? Such and amazing honor and such a blessing that must be! Yet, we don't look at the other side of the picture. We don't look at the incredible hardship this was and would turn into. We don't think about how they were running for their lives often or how Mary wasn't able to always understand what her son was doing but had to sit by silently and watch. We don't like to remember that she had to watch him suffer an unimaginable death on the cross.
In our gospel today we see Mary's Magnificat. With the danger surrounding her and the insanely tough road ahead, Mary still sings her praises to God. Mary still puts her faith, hope and love in God and His will. This is her magnificat as found in Luke 1:46-55 (NABRE)
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
Today is a special day to reflect on and honor Mary. By getting closer to her, we are also getting closer to her son, Jesus!
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