RESPONDING TO GOD’S HESED (LOVING KINDNESS) WITH
MARY
21 DAYS CATECHESIS ON THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
National Association of Catholic Corps Members (NACC)
Blessed Virgin Mary Chaplaincy
NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Awgu
Day Two
Who the Blessed Virgin Mary is?: Visit to Elizabeth
Soon after the annunciation or as part of it, Luke describes a special visit which Mary made. This visit will
help us as we strive to know and appreciate who the blessed virgin was. Mary paid a very warm, spontaneous
and long visit to Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah.
Mary’s visit brought so much joy and peace so much so that the child in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy. Like
Jesus, Mary willingly offered to help Elizabeth in her three-month visit instead of worrying about herself
thereby teaching some vital lessons as far as the Christian life is concerned. She didn’t hurry to the hilly
country for some sort of confirmation. Her haste was the spontaneity and clarity of deep faith. She hurried
because she was willing to help her aged kinswoman who already had a very bad reputation for being barren
and who is now heavy with pregnancy. Our gestures of kindness and humble service are very often rewarded.
In the home of Zachariah and Elizabeth, Mary got some reassurance of who she was carrying, even the child in
the womb sensed the presence of God which enfolds their persons.
In the home of Elizabeth, hearing her words, Mary was enkindled to pour forth her famous song of praise, the
Magnificat (vv 46-55), a song that underlines further her pious disposition. This song-prayer seems consistent
with other prayers in the Bible by notable Hebrew women in praise of God’s deliverance: Song of the Sea in
Exodus 15:1-20 sung by Miriam, the Song of Deborah in Judges 5:1-31, the Song of Judith in Judith 16:1-17
and the Song of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Listening to her canticle, we learn to see history from the
perspective of God. When she asserts: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord," she recognizes God’s
greatness. Pope Benedict XVI says, “This is the first indispensable sentiment of faith. It is the sentiment that
gives security to human creatures and frees from fear, even in the midst of the tempest of history.” Her
believing heart marks her out. “By faith, in fact, she accepted the Word of the Lord and conceived the
Incarnate Word. Her faith has shown her that the thrones of the powerful of this world are all temporary, while
God's throne is the only rock that does not change or fall. Her Magnificat… remains the truest and most
profound interpretation of history, while the interpretations of so many of this world's wise have been belied by
events in the course of the centuries.” (BENEDICT XVI, Address on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed
Virgin Mary Saturday, 31 May 2008)
From our little reflection, we learn the sentiments of the heart of Mary our Mother and model. Her basic
disposition was faith and hope animated with charity. Her docile abandonment to God’s plan and purpose for
her is worthy of our subject of prayer. “May we imitate her example of readiness and generosity in the service
of our brethren. Indeed, only by accepting God’s love and making of our existence a selfless and generous
service to our neighbour, can we joyfully lift a song of praise to the Lord” (BENEDICT XVI, 31 May 2008).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father
RESPONDING TO GOD’S HESED (LOVING KINDNESS) WITH
MARY
21 DAYS CATECHESIS ON THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
National Association of Catholic Corps Members (NACC)
Blessed Virgin Mary Chaplaincy
NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Awgu
Day Three
Who the Blessed Virgin Mary is?: Birth in Bethlehem
The Blessed Virgin Mary delivered Jesus in Bethlehem (house of Bread). We know this from the testimony of
Matthew and Luke (Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4). Luke further set his birth “while Quirinius was governor of Syria”
(2:2). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary estimates the dates for his reign from 6-7 A.D. However,
the New American Bible suggests placing his reign from 10-8 B.C. The divergence in dates does not discredit
anything since calculation at the time was based on association with prominent events. Obviously, Luke’s
interest was not about historical order but to show that God’s promise was fulfilled. Our fore-fathers and
mothers understood this way of dating. Let us recall that the magi visited when Herod was ruling. Even with
their presentation it was very difficult for him to place the exact date of Jesus’ birth. Thus, the massacre of
children two years old or under (cf. Matthew 2:16). If we think that Herod's reign may have ended around 4
B.C, with the information we have, one could safely place Jesus’ birth between 6 and 4 BC. With this way of
calculating and assuming Mary married around the customary age and conceived Jesus not too long afterward,
one would estimate her birth around 20 BC.
Like every pregnant woman, Mary carried Jesus in her womb for nine months. She didn’t endure the pain and
inconvenience it usually caused, instead, she embraced it, enjoyed it and contemplated God’s doing. There was
no need to be ashamed for every child is a blessing that must be treasured. Complying with civil directive
Joseph and Mary set for their town to partake in the census decreed by Augustus Caesar, the then emperor.
Mary gives birth to her son in such a lowly setting and without much hospitality because there was no room for
them in the Inn. This calls to mind how Mary stood by our Lord Jesus from the very first move of his mission
to rescue humanity. The “firstborn” used does not necessarily imply a birth after that of Jesus, but biblical way
of showing a child’s dignity and right (Deut. 21:17, 1 Kg. 16:31, Heb. 1:6, 12:23).
From our little reflection, we learn of nothing unusual about our lady. She was like every child of her age;
human but holy. She experienced difficulties like everyone but enjoyed the pleasure of relying on God for
everything. Instead of worrying endlessly. She learnt to gaze on God and contemplated his plans. When God’s
plan seems diametrically different from her initial disposition, she seeks refuge in uniting and conforming her
will with divine will. Mary knew that life begins at conception and for this reason she was aware of the
mystery within her. This mystery she contemplated and adored. May we like Mary learn to live out our
vocations as humans and never as angels, relying on providence and doing our best. May we see the need to
fulfil our lawful civil duties for the growth of our human city while awaiting the city of God.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father
