Fr Thomas’ Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent

Are You Mary?

You don’t have to have any school going children to be reminded that it is the end of the school year now.  As long as you are on social media, you see heaps of graduation photos posted on it by proud mums.  Children and the futuristic hope in them are the joy and pride of the parents.  Mothers see God’s blessings in their children.  Two such mothers who were blessed by the fruit of their wombs meet according to today’s Gospel.

Mary went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.  She hurried to meet Elizabeth because of the special conception they were carrying in their wombs.  They both had reasons to boast.  For Elizabeth, bearing a child in her advanced age is an extraordinary blessing of God.  She who was barren and experiencing humiliation so far is to become a proud mother of a prophet.  On the other hand Mary, who barely an adult, was bearing none less than the Son of God.  What greater divine gift a woman could get!  Yet these women reach out to each other in service and praise. Elizabeth was keen to praise Mary her cousin for the favour he has received from God.  Mary in turn praises God, not herself.

It is the humility of Elizabeth and Mary that are remarkable.  Humility is not thinking less of oneself, but less thinking of oneself.  That is what we see especially in Mary.  This quality is divine and with such divine quality Mary could bear Jesus Christ, Son of God.

Mary is a model and example for all Christians.  We are Christians means we are to be Christ bearers.  Like Mary we too need to be humble, thinking not less of ourselves, but by less thinking of ourselves.  Like Mary we too should be praising God and his plan in our lives.  Like Mary we too need to be at the service of others.  Like Mary we too need to be open to God’s call.  How much of a Mary are you?