During his Angelus address on Aug 15th of last year, Pope Francis said that Mary did not consider the news of her role as Holy Mother a privilege. Rather, it was the beginning of her mission to announce joy to others as she rushed to see her cousin Elizabeth. He added that we shouldn’t see Mary as a “motionless statue” but rather as “our hardworking companion”. It’s a more earthy view of Mary, but perhaps those who have already discovered their vocations can relate – once they are sure of their path, they are eager to fulfill it.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims, “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” He then goes out to gather Simon, Andrew, James and John, to make them followers of Christ and fishers of men. They receive their missions and like Mary, they too, say yes. They left their fishermen’s nets and followed after Jesus.
It seems so effortless for Mary and the Apostles. They gave up the life they knew and then lived it for Jesus. Skeptics might say that Jesus chose the correct people for these vocations, that he picked ones he knew would be willing. When actually, Jesus comes to all of us and asks, “Will you follow me?” And we are all given the opportunity to say yes to Him.
Today’s reading reflects that: “And again, when he leads the first born into the world, he says:
Let all the angels of God worship him.” God’s plan is for all the angels and us creatures to worship His Son, to follow Him and to fulfill our mission. We are to live for Him.
Many of us are still reluctant to accept such a task. We often feel very insignificant and ordinary. In fact, we are very small in comparison to Jesus, but when He calls, we should follow. When it’s done with no questions asked, that’s conviction! The closer we get to Jesus, the easier that acceptance will become. We can’t accept such a plan by our own strength but by grace. God’s grace can give us the courage to go beyond what is humanly possible.
We can look to today’s saint, St. Hilary, for inspiration as he showed great fidelity to Jesus and His Church. His boldness for the faith led detractors to call him the “disturber of the peace” and they then demanded his exile. This “troublemaker” saint was one of the first theologians, as he defended the divinity of Christ against Arianism. With his fervent help, Christianity reigned once again. That was the result of his yes. Imagine what yours could be…
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Daily Reading
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Reading I Hebrews 2:5-12 It was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. Instead, someone has testified somewhere: What is man…
Saint of the Day
Saint Hilary of Poiters
Hilary of Poitiers was a 4th-century bishop, renowned for his defense against Arianism and contributions to early Christian theology and writings.
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