By Anthony Jayaraj csc –
Readings: Gen 3: 9-15, 20; Eph 1: 3-6, 11-12; Lk 1: 26-38
If you know how to give up, you will know how to grow up. In the gospel, Virgin Mary’s response to the angel of God, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word,” was a consent for the fulfilment of a covenant of God to his people. The choice that she made to bear Jesus, expresses her humility to be an instrument in the plan of God. She knew that God was faithful to his promises and nothing would be impossible with him.
What inspires me in the person of Virgin Mary is her ability to give up fascinations and excitement of the worldly life. The young Virgin Mary’s valour to face challenges and promises of her vocation truly shows her faith, commitment, and responsibility to grow in holiness. What is significant in the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary is her faithfulness to a life that she chose to live every single day.
As a religious person, I am reminded to make daily choices consciously to renew and live the evangelical vows so as to give birth to Jesus through words, deeds, and actions. The challenge is in living the life of poor, chaste, and obedient Jesus without counting its cost and pain. In this sense, my birth and life will justify the vocation that I choose to live. If you know how to give up, you will know how to grow up.