When people meet you, do they see a profession; a social status; a nationality; an income bracket; an age; an education? Or, do they encounter God?
While it may not seem fair to be evaluated by what we look like, how we sound, where we're going, or who we hang out with, the truth is that our countenance says so much more about who we really are than what we think we portray. That is why it is important to look deep inside to understand who or what is in us that gets reflected to others.
Take Mary, for example. Our veneration of her does not only come from the miraculous fact that she willingly bore the Word of God as flesh, but also because of how she lived and exuded the light, love, and mercy of Christ. In other words, she chose each and every day to receive what was being given to her through the Holy Spirit, and to share it as a constant state of love and sacrifice to others. Simply put, her soul magnified the Lord.
On this day, when we commemorate Mary's death, let us remember more clearly what she was in life and follow her example. The following is taken from Luke 1:46-55.
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
