January 1, Mary Mother of God

Mary Mother of God
January 1, 2010

RE: culture of life in our family


“Fiat”. “Let it be done unto me according to thy word.” This profound declaration by Mary, the Mother of God, puts an end to any debate about choosing abortion. Don’t you think?

The angel said to Mary: ‘Do not be afraid. You have won God’s favor. You are to conceive.’ The betrothed girl confronted the possibility of motherhood. The result of which was the probable ostracization by her husband-to-be and her village. An impossible way to live.

Joseph did not want any part of this. He would extricate himself by quietly divorcing Mary. That is, until he, too, listened to God’s messenger. ‘Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit.’ The child is a gift of God!

John Paul II wrote that “the family… by its nature is called to be the ‘sanctuary of life.’”
Growing up we feel cherished by our family. Our family introduces us to God and brings us into the Church. At our very core we know that we are loved, that our life is valued, and that all life is holy. We are nurtured by our faith, confident in our beliefs. Like Mary and Joseph.

Our family assures us that life is a gift from God. My life. Your life. Every life. In the imperfections of our relations with our children, parents cultivate in them respect for others. We strive to make certain that our children recognize God in all life.

The efforts to re-establish a ‘Culture of Life’ is a continuous personal struggle. Every couple confronts this challenge with their desire to fully express their love. The man and woman surprised by a pregnancy must choose. Parents face the conundrum when our adult child comes to us in a situation like the one Mary and Joseph experienced. We are afraid. We want to escape the problem quietly.

This is no longer just a pious belief. We are immersed in reality. Uncontrollable emotions drown us. Chaotic thoughts confuse us. The clock is ticking.

You can turn to the Room at the Inn (Charlotte and Greensboro). To positively demonstrate our living the Gospel of Life we should be supporting them all along. This will guarantee that they are there to help every Mary and Joseph.

Who will be the angel who says, “Do not be afraid!” Who will have the courage to say to the frightened girl, “You have won God’s favor!” Who will dare say to the boy, “The child is a gift from God, so take this girl home with you as your wife!”

We will have the wherewithal to carry on the Culture of Life within our family when we pray daily to do the will of God. When we remember how astonished Mary was. When we recall Joseph’s kindly reflex to step aside quietly. When we embrace the lessons of the Holy Family. Then we will draw upon the same grace that Mary the Mother of God had when she said “Fiat!”