Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38
In yesterday's Gospel we saw the disbelief of the priest Zechariah in full display. Because of his disbelief he is made mute and the miraculous event will occur anyway. Today we see in deliberate contrast to Zechariah the faith of a simple village woman. Mary is visited by the same angel who announces an even more remarkable miracle to come. Mary believes and accepts the miracle, bringing forth Jesus into the world for the benefit of all.
Mary's role becomes the role of every Christian and of the whole Church thereafter. It is to say yes to God and to bring Christ forth into the world by our deeds of love and mercy to others. That an entire theology of sacramental exclusion has existed for so long arguing women cannot bring forth Christ into the world sacramentally is entirely at odds with this opening chapter of Luke's Gospel. This mission is fundamental to the whole body of Christ.
The entire Christmas Gospels are about women who accept the message and mission from God to bring Christ into the world, while the men of the story are silent in their doubts. Our task in the final days of Advent are to emulate the faith and mission of the women, to accept the call of God and bring the Lord Jesus into the world through our selfless deeds of love and mercy for others.
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