(Photo credit: Paul Csogi @csogi)
“Blessed are you who
believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
–Luke 1:45
These words
were spoken by Elizabeth to Mary, who had just heard the angel Gabriel’s
message and agreed to become the Mother of God. Though Mary didn’t understand
all of it, she believed the angel’s words and trusted that God’s plan was rooted
in His love for her.
Mary didn’t
ask to see the big picture or to be given all the answers before saying yes to
God. She believed that He loved her and would guide her in her role as Jesus’
mother. She took each day as it came and was faithful to what she believed God was
asking her to do, whether that was humbly accepting shelter in a stable, confidently
telling the disciples to ‘do whatever He tells you’ at the wedding in Cana, courageously
staying with Jesus at the foot of the cross, or praying and waiting with hope
with the apostles for the Holy Spirit in the upper room.
Mary’s
example of faithfulness gives us hope. Every year on August 15 we celebrate her
assumption, body and soul, into heaven. Why do we celebrate this? Because she
was a human being like us – she wasn’t divine -- and yet she’s with God. God rewarded
her faithfulness by giving her eternal life. Mary’s assumption is a preview of
what’s in store for us; it shows that there’s more to life than just our time here
on earth. It proves that we, too, can hope for the reward of eternal life.
God loves
you so much that He wants you to be with Him forever. He doesn’t require you to
see the big picture or have all the answers now, just like He didn’t expect
Mary to. He simply invites you to believe Him and follow Him. What does this
look like? He asks you to show His love to the person in front of you, whether
friend or foe, in whatever way you can. He asks you to be faithful to Him and to
do what you believe is the loving thing to do in any given moment. He, in turn,
promises you eternal life.
“I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.”
–John 14:3
Believe the
words of Jesus. Trust Him. Live in His love. He wants you to be with Him
forever.
“Lord, thank You for letting
me hope for eternal life! Help me to follow Mary’s example of faithfulness to
You.”
Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina
Bedell
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