2013-05-31   John W                      John W's previous articles

                             Mary got involved, from start to finish

Ever since his election, Pope Francis has been encouraging Catholics to "get involved", to "get out",
to "look outwards" etc. - - despite difficulties and opposition and "accidents"

Mary is a good model for such activity:

As soon as the angel left her, she went as quickly as she could to visit her cousin Elizabeth.
Mary didn't sit around thinking how great it was going to be as the mother of the Messiah.
She forgot her greatness/rank/privilege ....and "went out" to help someone else

She didn't stay home when Joseph had to go to Bethlehem ....advanced pregnancy might have excused her from the trip? ...but bravely hit the road with Joseph

At the birth of her son, she reacted with reflection rather than rejection at each new development: angels, shepherds, Magi, Simeon and Anna

When her 12 year old was "lost", she didn't just sit around and worry....but joined Joseph in a back to Jerusalem search

At Cana, Mary didn't just think to herself "Bad luck/judgement...not enough wine".....but was proactive in helping the embarrassed bride and groom

At Calvary, Mary showed up.  She didn't absent herself. She didn't run away like most of the apostles. She took a stand

At Pentecost, Mary was still getting involved....supporting the apostolic group by her prayers.  Not taking early retirement from helping the Jesus Movement

Mary got involved from start to finish in Jesus' life

Genuine imitation of Mary means getting involved in the life of the Church, the life of the world.
 
And when we "get involved", "go out", "look out",  we will share the experience of the Visitation ...
as Jesus in us activates joy and courage and peace in others

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