BEARING THE PREGNANCY WITH MARY
(Luke 1:26-38)
We are presented with the angelic
salutation that led to the pregnancy and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The
sending of the angel by God carried with it a lot of good packages from the
city of God above to the city of man below.
As we travel from the high and
low places for Christmas, we are called upon, on this last Sunday of Advent to
contemplate on the pregnant mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to
consider what we are carrying with us as we move. We are encouraged to check
ourselves to ensure what we bear. The holy mother bears the holy fruit, the
blessed fruit of her womb; Jesus. What are you bearing? What fruits were you
able to bear during the course of advent?
We are all pregnant
Pregnancy is a state of awaiting
delivery. When a woman is pregnant in the Igbo culture, the whole family bears
the pregnancy with her. The man takes very good care of her especially when the
child is the first. They talk about the expected child, people forecast the sex
of the child, people make their wish for the babe to be born. People make their
promises of care and love for the expected babe. The benefits the child will enjoy are
provided beforehand. Provisions are made to keep the mother at home without
doing anything till the child matures to the desired stage.
This shows the involving nature
of pregnancy on the day-to-day parlance. How involved are we in the pregnancy
of the blessed virgin Mary? What lessons are we to draw from her as we go to
celebrate the birth of Christ? Let us outline some of the fruits that should
occupy our womb this period.
The Word and Sacraments
In some people you will find
fibroid, in others mere void, some fail to nurture the babies well, others
decide to abort them.
The word of the angel today said:
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
The fruit you bear must be Jesus
Christ. Have you been living like one who have received Jesus in the Word and
Eucharist?
Grace of God
Full of grace is another line
spoken by the angel. Have you been able to fill your life with the grace of God
this period? Are you in the state of grace as you prepare to welcome the Lord?
Will He be greeted by the fragrance of holiness when he visits you this
Christmas holiday? Have you prepared yourself to win more favour in the sight
of God as he comes?
Beware of carrying wrong fruits
In pregnancy, we should remember
possession. Who possessed you? Who overshadowed you? Whose seed are you
carrying? From whom did you get that which is in you? From the spirit of God or
from the spirit of the evil one? The Holy Spirit gives holy fruits, blessed
fruits, virtuous fruits, peaceful fruits, joyful fruits. The evil one carries
unholy fruits.
Check your baggage
Let's open our traveling bags and
check well what we are journeying with for the Christmas celebration. Are you
going with hatred? Remove it. Are you going to inflict pain? Unpack. Are you
going with jealousy, revenge, stinginess, dubiousness, accusation, sadness etc.
Remove these.
And learn from Virgin Mary on what you should do.
Carry Jesus. Accept the word and
allow him to dwell within you. Carry Him about to people you will meet. Just be
a monstrance that shows Christ to your world. Be a bearer of Good news. Put
smile on people's faces. Mary took the message of joy to Elizabeth. Share your
joy in the Lord to people around you.
Let God's will and not yours be done.
Be humble. No matter who and what
you think you're. Forgive and share love. Put songs of joy in people's mouths
and smiles on faces of those you will meet.
When you do these Mary will count
you as those who helped her in bearing the Saviour and presenting Him to the
world.
Let us pray
O God your message to Mary
brought joy to many homes, a joy shared to human race. As we approach the
Nativity celebration of Christ, may we keep away everything that will make it
impossible for You to dwell among us. Holy Mother Mary, intercede for us that
we may learn how to be temples of the Holy Spirit. These we pray through Christ
our Lord. Amen
Happy Sunday (Advent, Week 4)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
First Image from: https://wedaretosay.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/AnnunciationBlog.jpg
Second Image from: https://www.starofthesea.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Advent-Wreath-4.jpg
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