Reflection for December 22 Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:46-56

Gospel: Luke 1:46-56

Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit.   

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”    

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

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Reflection:

Why did Mary remain with her cousin Elizabeth for three months? Why not leave after one or two months? Mary chose to stay because she desired to be fully present—to walk with Elizabeth until the moment when new life would finally come forth.

What makes this choice even more profound is that Mary herself was also carrying Jesus in her womb. She could have easily excused herself, returned home, rested, and attended to her own pregnancy. Yet she did not. Instead, Mary placed the needs of her cousin before her own. She ensured that Elizabeth was cared for before thinking of herself.

In doing so, Mary proclaimed the greatness of the Lord—not merely with words, but with her life. Perhaps, in the quiet wisdom of God, He was gently teaching her—and teaching us as well: If we truly desire to praise the Lord, we must first learn how to serve. If we wish to glorify God, we must be willing to forget ourselves. For it is precisely in self-forgetfulness that the abiding presence of God in our lives becomes most visible.

Indeed, we best serve and praise God when we serve others. We glorify Him when we set aside our own comfort so that those in need may experience hope, care, and God’s loving presence through us. When our lives are centered only on ourselves, we limit our capacity to serve and share God with the world.

So we are invited to ask ourselves: Are we willing, like Mary, to stay longer, to serve more deeply, and to forget ourselves so that God’s presence may be made known through us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas