Mary & Modern-Day Love

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

(Click Here for Readings)

Gospel of Luke 1:26-38

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word." 

Mary's Fiat We once again encounter Mary's fiat in the readings of the day. Repeated scripture passages are the Church's way of emphasizing  key theological aspects of our faith.  Plus, it's important for us to meditate on Mary's Annunciation.  Our Advent "preparation and waiting" will soon come to an end. Christ Emmanuel will be born!  

Have you experienced a fruitful Advent?  Have you prayed to our Blessed Mother lately?  She loves us and willing to intercede for us if we only ask.

God's Will  Mary's simplicity and obedience is a role model for all.  It took tremendous love for her to accept the chosen role as Mother of God.  Despite fear, confusion, and unease at her newly-discovered pregnancy, she accepted it as God's will.  

Have you received unexpected news lately?  Did you take it with love or hate? Do you accept God's will in your life or resent when things don't go as expected?

Modern-Day Love Mary's simple "Yes" and the love in her heart encourages me reflect on the current state of love in modern-day life.  Our secularized culture focuses on love in the physical sense.  People read romance novels or watch spicy, erotic films.  Online dating sites invite singles to "find your true love match" with compatibility assessments and profiles.  In our "hook up culture" love equates to one-night stands and adulterous affairs.  Of course, love can also be a beautiful thing like when we experience love for our spouse, our children, our families, and even our pets.  

We have to be careful not to become in-love with ourselves.  When we focus only on our carnal desires, we lose focus on the needs of others.  We become micro-enclosed.  The world revolves  around Me and I!  Of course, I think we all have a propensity toward self-love, especially if we've been hurt by others.  Self-love is almost a protective disposition.  Nobody can break the heart if I love myself only and not form healthy relationships with others.

Jesus encourages us to experience agape love - love that is selfless and not pretentious.  Love that is enduring and acknowledges the needs of others.  Agape love is not sexual.  Agape love is unconditional.  We love one another despite warts and all!  

Mary and Jesus loves us unconditionally despite our sinful nature.  Let's take a moment out of our busy schedules to pray a decade of the rosary, meditating on Mary's annunciation.  Let's try to love everyone we come across and recognize God's will in our lives.

-J.