Years ago, on an ordinary day, I was in the parish church preparing for classes later that day. We were going to do a “Church Tour” to learn about the different furnishings and their purpose. I walked over to the side altar adorned with the statue of the Blessed Mother holding the infant Jesus. I happened to look up. I will never forget what I saw. It was the Blessed Mother looking at me and her eyes asked me silently if I was willing to bear her Son in this world.
I know it was just a statue. I realize that what I saw was testimony to the talent of the sculptor. But there was more in that moment that I cannot explain. I have never forgotten that moment since, nor will I ever be the person I was before that moment again. In that moment, through the gaze of Mary’s statue, I realized for the first time really that being a Christian meant that I was one who would bear Christ, carry Christ with me always and everywhere. My vocation was to bring Christ to others.
Throughout my home, I have crucifixes, but I also have paintings and statues of Mary, the first disciple, the truest disciple, to remind me what discipleship to Jesus Christ really entails. As the photo of my beloved Grandma Lena reminds me of the lessons she taught me about being a person of peace, wholeness and holiness, these paintings and statues remind me that I said “yes” to Christ and what that entails. They remind me that the journey of a true disciple is not easy but possible and necessary. They remind me to be the one I was created to be.
As I studied scripture, I paid close attention to the few passages that involve Mary. My favorites are the annunciation in Luke 1 and Jesus’ first miracle at Cana in John 2. In the first, we hear Mary’s “yes” that forever changed the trajectory of humanity. In John 2, we see Mary asking her beloved Son to help friends and his inability to tell her “no.” He did solve the problem of no wine in response to Mary’s request. But we also see Mary teaching the servants at hand the first rule of discipleship: Do whatever He tells you.
Throughout our lives we will be called upon by Christ to step out of our comfort zones, to act in His name, to participate in the ongoing salvific mission. We have Mary’s “yes” at the annunciation as well as her advice to us as disciples, “Do whatever He tells you,” as examples and guidance. As the angel Gabriel told Mary in assurance, with God nothing is impossible, we are called to hear the LORD and to act upon what the LORD is calling us to do. Though we may feel inadequate in the moment, we are assured that “with God nothing is impossible.” Through the power of the Spirit, it is amazing what the LORD can accomplish through us, with us, and in us.
Every morning as I dress, I put my pocket crucifix in my pocket, a tangible reminder of an intangible calling to discipleship. And every morning, I remember Mary’s gaze. Today is my day to bear Christ in this world.
Until tomorrow, let us all love well.
Note: the beautiful portrait of Mary with the infant Jesus was painted by Linda Holden Miller and given to me as a gift in 1986.
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