What
Mary Put First
Fr.
George Smiga
December
23 & 24, 2006
Luke
1:39 - 45
Mary
had plenty to do. In fact, when you consider the recent events
that had just occurred in her life, to say that she had to
address a number of loose ends would be a major understatement.
She had just been told by an angel that she was going to have
a baby, and with that announcement a whole new set of responsibilities
had been placed on her plate. She would have to find a way
of telling Joseph the news, and she certainly worried about
his response. She had to face the issues of her physical health
as a pregnant mother. She had to plan for the coming of the
child, where he would sleep, what he would wear, and how he
would impact the normal functioning of the home. Like every
new mother Mary was filled with new questions, new responsibilities
and new fears.
This
is what makes today's gospel so remarkable. Because with all
the issues Mary had to address, the last thing she needed
was a journey to some Judean town in the hill country. But
that is exactly what Mary decided to do. She chose to go out
and visit her cousin Elizabeth. Mary could have found all
kinds of excuses from making this trip: I should not travel
if I am pregnant; this is not the best weather for a journey
in the mountains; Elizabeth has her own family to support
her and certainly she would understand if I stayed at home.
Many good excuses, but Mary chose to follow none of them.
For Mary the primary thing was the people in her life. If
her cousin was bearing new life, it was appropriate that the
two should be together to celebrate that gift from God.
This
story of the visitation not only gives us information about
Mary and Elizabeth, but it also gives us an example of how
we are to live. This story reminds us of the importance of
taking time to recognize and appreciate the people in our
lives. We need this lesson this weekend more than ever. For
this coming weekend we celebrate Christmas. Now I presume
that most of you are ready or close to ready. Most of the
gifts have been bought and perhaps wrapped. The menus are
set. The schedules have been verified with those who will
participate. Cards have been written. Phone calls have been
made. Everything is in its place, and all that is required
now is to execute the plan. This gospel reminds us that as
we carry out the plans for our Christmas celebrations we should
not forget the people. With all the attention we give to the
gifts, and the food and the traditions, it is easy to leave
the people behind. We can become so preoccupied with the details
of hospitality that we forget to recognize and to spend time
with the people who we love. What a waste that would be. What
a terrible distortion of the feast that we celebrate. Because
all the things we do, all the traditions we follow are for
the sake of the people we love.
With
all that she had to do, with all that was on her mind, Mary
found time to be with her cousin Elizabeth. Mary knew that
nothing was more important than her and her cousin coming
together to celebrate the new life that was growing within
them. Let's follow Mary's example. Even if it means that you
will not be able to do everything you want, do not let your
responsibilities detract from the time and the appreciation
of the people who will be with you this weekend.
Take
time to listen to them, to speak to them, to laugh with them
and perhaps to cry with them. People come first and without
people there can be no true celebration of Christmas.
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