31-05-24 Lebih Dari Sekedar Patung: Menggali Kisah Bunda Maria yang Penuh Aksi

Q Visitation of Our Lady "Lk 1:39-56" In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. We imagine Our Lady sometimes as a calm and contemplative woman who never did anything in a hurry. Just like one of those statues of saints that adorn our churches: motionless, hands joined in prayer and looking at the skies... But the Gospel teaches something very different: Our Lady went "with haste." Although she certainly was a contemplative woman who was never anxious or impulsive, she was also a woman of action. The Angel told her that she was to be the Mother of God. She didn't have to do anything special. The Holy Spirit performed the miracle. But there were lots of things to think about... what about Joseph? What about her family? She could be stoned to death if people found out that Joseph wasn't the father of that Child. What about preparing for the Child's Birth? But over and above all those 'personal' problems, she had been told of Elizabeth's situation: old and pregnant. Nothing else was needed for Our Mother to set out "with haste" to help her cousin. No one had asked her to help. She had many worries to think about, certainly. But someone needed her. And she stayed there for three long months, for as long as she was needed. We need to stop thinking about Our Mother as a pious and still statue absorbed in prayer and imagine her more like a superhero, a woman of action. Someone is in need of help and she flies there instantly. And if she went with haste to help her cousin... will she not come even faster to assist her children? For that's what we are: her children. How comforting it is to know, Mother, that you fly promptly to my side when I need you. Thank you, Mary, for being such a Mother!