The Spiritual Motherhood Series

The spiritual motherhood of Christ is an exalted state attained by embracing a resounding "yes" to God, even in the face of seemingly impossible demands, echoing the divine calling that turned Mary into a virgin mother. To become mothers of Christ, we must internalize and make Mary's prayer our own: "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

This prayer, often regarded as the world's greatest, serves as the conduit that brought the divine down from heaven to reside within the soul and body of a humble young woman. It precipitated the most momentous event in human history—the incarnation of God in Jesus—and forever altered the trajectory of our existence. Mary's prayer stands in stark contrast to what is often dubbed the world's most common prayer, one where we attempt to bend God to our will. While the commonplace plea cries, "Thy will be changed," Mary's prayer, the world's greatest, resounds with the surrendering echo, "Thy will be done."

The path to becoming the mother of Christ, as illuminated by Mary in today's gospel, involves a profound engagement with God's word and an unwavering affirmation of God's will, even when it appears to contradict our meticulously crafted plans and aspirations. The narrative of Mary's encounter with the divine reminds us that the vocation of being Christ's mother is no facile endeavor.

As we approach the impending celebration of Christmas, Mary serves as a poignant reminder that the essence of the season lies not merely in the quaint town of Bethlehem but in the inner sanctum of our hearts. The true and profound Christmas is not measured by external festivities but by the birth of Christ within, a spiritual rebirth that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

In contemplating Mary's journey, we witness a young woman who, upon receiving a divine message that seemed to defy reason, responded with a humble and resolute "yes." Mary's receptivity to the divine will, even in the face of the incomprehensible, unveils the essence of true discipleship. It is an invitation for each of us to cultivate a disposition that mirrors hers—a readiness to embrace God's will despite our fears, uncertainties, and preconceptions.

Mary's prayer becomes a beacon guiding us away from the temptation to mold God to our desires and instead encourages us to align our will with the divine. In a world clamoring for control, Mary's fiat stands as a testament to the beauty of surrender, illustrating that in relinquishing the illusion of control, we find true freedom.

Becoming the mother of Christ, as exemplified by Mary, demands an ongoing "yes" to God's unfolding plan. It invites us to navigate the twists and turns of life with faith and trust, recognizing that God's will, though mysterious, holds the promise of transformative grace. It is an invitation to let go of our limited understanding and embrace the divine unfolding, allowing God's will to shape the narrative of our lives.

The juxtaposition of Mary's prayer against the backdrop of the world's most common plea is a stark reminder of the transformative power inherent in surrendering to the divine. While the common prayer seeks to bend the divine to our desires, Mary's prayer aligns us with a higher purpose, beckoning us to participate in the unfolding of God's plan for our lives.

As we immerse ourselves in the sacred narrative of Mary's fiat, we are beckoned to emulate her courage, humility, and unwavering trust in God. Her journey from an obscure town to the central stage of salvation history becomes a roadmap for us to navigate the complexities of our own lives, guiding us toward a spiritual motherhood that echoes her profound "yes."

In the quietude of our hearts, as Christmas draws near, may we echo Mary's prayer and welcome the birth of Christ within. May the divine presence, once confined to Bethlehem, find its dwelling in the inner recesses of our souls, transforming us into vessels of grace and bearers of Christ's light. In this sacred season, let us heed Mary's call to embrace God's will, recognizing that the greatest Christmas is the one where Christ is born within us. Let the heart of Jesus reside in all our hearts. Amen.