Today is a good
day for thinking about Mary. We Christians do exactly what Mary did when she faced
with the events of that first Christmas. In joy, she treasured her Son and reflected on all these events in her heart.
Because this is, as Paul says in the second reading, "the fullness of
time", we rejoice because of the presence of Christ with us. These are the
end times, not in the sense of the imminent end of the world, but, instead, in
the sense that we are in the final age when Christ is revealed to the world.
We have many fears, we are too are afraid–afraid that
the economy might fail, of where technology will take us, of the declining
moral standards all around us. We see the darkness, but forget the light. God
is here! Emmanuel is with us. And that’s worth reflecting about.
After all, Mary was asked to believe that she was
going to change the world, and there she was, giving birth in a stable, riding
on the back of a donkey, destined to live years in Nazareth as a apparently
ordinary wife and mom. But she believed that God told her the truth. She
reflected on that. And the more she
thought and prayed, the stronger she became. That’s our challenge this day:
to open wide the doors to Christ, the doors of our hearts–to believe like our
blessed Mother did.
In the past two thousand years, Mary’s task has been
to bring Christ to people. Today, we are asked to do the same. When Pope John
Paul II was consecrated Pope, his most famous words in his homily were these,
"Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ!" Mary is the
God-bearer, and yet, she is also spiritually a mother to all whom Jesus came to
save. In other words, as she brought forth Christ and watched over him so she
watches over all those who spiritually are born children of God in
Baptism–that’s us. She asks that we follow her example in bringing Christ to
those who have not heard his voice.
If we can face this New Year with hope and a deep
devotion to the Mother of God, then we can really change the lives of our
families, friends, and fellow-workers. Here’s what each of us has to do:
1. Be confident in your faith–it is true; Christ has
truly come and is still with us and will come again.
2. Recognize your obligation to spread the Good News.
"Open wide the doors to Christ" means not only opening your own heart
to be touched by God, but also, letting people know your personal experience of
Jesus and Church.
3. Fight evil. We are not perfect. We sin. But we are
still called to fight evil in all its forms. In whatever way we can, we hold up
the light of Christ in order to banish the darkness.
4. Reflect on what God has done for you. Never forget
what Mary did–she gained strength from prayer and reflection. Changing the
world takes a lot of energy. Prayer and frequent Communion is the way we get
strength.
Today, decide what you are going to do to open wide
the doors to Christ. Don’t squander this chance. They will be writing about us
a thousand years from now if Christ delays his coming. What will they say about
you? Will they even know you existed?
Face the New Year with joy, for God is with us, Christ
is leading us; the Holy Spirit is guiding us. Open wide the doors to Christ;
let his healing love set you free, today, tonight, tomorrow and forever ■
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