TO BE THE MOTHER OF THE WORLD’S REDEEMER [LUKE 1:26-38]
(Solemnity: THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD)
Many of us think we have a right to be made happy, as though it were everyone else’s duty to brighten our day by doing exactly what our feelings desire.
If anything is clear to us in Holy Scripture, it is this: those whom God loved best were surrounded by sorrows and trials and even great tragedies. And yet they were deeply happy; they spoke and sang of their joys. They praised God and thanked Him for the very things that many of us would complain about bitterly.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, led a life of unglamorous poverty. God had promised her His grace; she would be the Mother of the world’s Redeemer, but this would bring her no personal wealth or earthly favors, no assurance of the world’s honors and attentions. Indeed, when she brought her child to the temple, the old man Simeon prophesied that her soul would be pierced by the sword of suffering (Luke 2:35).
When the angel’s joyful news came to her, “You shall bear a Son, and He shall save His people” (Luke 1:30-33). Mary accepted willingly, saying that she was the servant of God (Luke 1:38). But she spent no time congratulating herself on making demands of God or neighbor. Rather, she thought of others. Her cousin Elizabeth was with child in her advanced years. So Mary made the long trip and spent three months in the service of Elizabeth and Zechariah (Luke 1:39-56).
Like Mary, those of us who will ever experience true joy must find it within ourselves. No one else can give it to you – but if you really want it, it is available from God, who promised it to those who search for it.