Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

Mary's Example: Responding to God's Will with Haste

~ Rev. Thomas Whittingham

Pastor, St. Laurence Church + Upper Darby, Pa.

We are largely taught to avoid haste in our culture. Many of us with older parents or grandparents were admonished that “haste makes waste.” And yet, when God’s will is revealed clearly and the path unfolds before us, we are invited to imitate Mary and to walk it with haste. When conventional wisdom would have preached that Mary should have been making haste to prepare for her own pregnancy and childbirth, Mary instead sets out in haste to visit and be with her cousin. The haste continues as the infant John seemingly cannot wait to “leap for joy” at the first sound of Mary’s greeting to Elizabeth. Haste is an asset here both for Mary to be with and share the joy of Elizabeth, as well as for us to rejoice when the presence of Christ is revealed to us. 

During these final days before the Christmas liturgies, we can also be certain that our people will largely have begun various “hasty” (early) celebrations of Christmas. Moreover, their lives will be filled with haste because of last minute errands, forgotten details, and the usual holiday demands. Here we find two examples where haste is appropriate and can better serves us. How can we use this gospel passage to refocus our congregations’ haste toward these two ends – sharing others’ joys and recognizing Christ in others? 

Be Jesus, See Jesus: Reflections on the Visitation

~ Jennifer Dusza

Saint Mary Church + Schwenksville, Pa.

In the Gospel of Luke we hear the story of the Visitation; we see the beautiful interaction between two women who love each other. There is one doing the visiting and one being visited, and there is much to be learned from both. First, upon hearing the good news that her cousin will have a baby in her old age, Mary travels over 100 miles to offer her help and to share in her joy. Mary doesn’t think of herself, but empties herself for love of others. When we learn to think of others and offer our assistance, we are bringing Jesus to those people. We are Christ’s hands and feet, we are His listening ear and calming presence. We imitate Our Lady when we do the Will of God and assist those that He puts in our paths. We are Mary to others even in the simple tasks of feeding our families dinner, helping the elderly carry groceries to the car, and offering a smile of understanding to a parent when their child is having a melt-down. 

And Elizabeth, the one being visited, receives this love from her cousin. Sometimes it can be difficult to allow others to help us, but there is beauty and grace in a receptive heart. In being open to Mary, Elizabeth recognizes God is present in Mary. We might not carry the Child Jesus in our womb like Mary did, but because we are Temples of the Holy Spirit each one of us, too, does carry God within us. Let’s look with the eyes of Elizabeth at those around us and see their true dignity, see the “Jesus” in them. As we reflect on the Visitation, let us pray to “be” Jesus to others and also to “see” Jesus in others. May we grow this Advent in giving of ourselves and also in being receptive to the gifts God has given us.