MARY AND PREGNANCY

Mary and Pregnancy  That teenager, named Mary of Nazareth, suddenly became a mother-to-be. Like the average woman, she submitted to the miracle of pregnancy, to something that took its own course, irrespective of the mother, because, as in every pregnancy, it was monitored by a higher power. In Mary’s case, it was the Holy Spirit. Mary made a quickie trip to her cousin Elizabeth in Ain Karim about 130 kilometres away. So the young woman was pregnant about 10 days on arrival. A certain poet, thinking of the donkey that carried Mary, wrote, “Mary weighed little for she was concentrating on the future within her.” Her amazement and sheer wonder at being chosen must have made her forget the difficulties of the journey. We can hope for a similar lightsomeness of spirit and body as we wait with Mary to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Advent is a good time to reflect on the pregnancy of Mary, as she waited in joyful expectation for the birth of her son. Reflecting on Mary’s pregnancy can teach us patience and the attitude of joyful anticipation that all of us should have as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and as we wait for his second coming in glory at the end of time. This attitude of joyful expectation should accompany the pregnancy of every woman as she awaits the birth of her pre-born child. Each child is made in the image and likeness of God, no matter what their handicaps or circumstances of conception. Every child deserves a chance to be born and to continue to grow and develop outside the womb. Jesus identifies with the pre-born since he himself was a pre-born child. Jesus went through all the stages of development that we went through. He was a tiny zygote, an embryo, fetus, infant, child, adolescent and an adult. At no time did he become more human. He simply went through different stages of human development as we all did. When Jesus was developing in the womb he was not a potential person but a real person. Mary also can identify with every pregnant mother in a difficult pregnancy. She did not fully understand God’s plan, yet she trusted. True devotion to Mary means imitating her virtues – her faith, her trust and her willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of her son and others as she stayed with Elizabeth for three months to help Elizabeth deliver John.  When Mary visited Elizabeth, John leapt for joy within Elizabeth’s womb as he recognized Christ’s presence in Mary. Thus we see John who was a fetus recognizing Christ who was a tiny embryo. This should lead us to an even greater respect for the lives of pre-born children and inspire us to work for their protection. Jesus says, "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters that you do to me" (Mt. 25, 40). St. Joseph cared for Mary during her pregnancy. He is an example for all men of the stewardship they are called to exercise. Men are called to respect the wonder of procreation and to care for pregnant women emotionally, materially and spiritually. During their pregnancies women become vulnerable and should be able to rely on the support of their husbands and other men in their life who should respect and assist women as the mystery of life unfolds within them. It is fitting that there are major feasts of Our Lady during the celebration of Advent – the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12). Mary appeared as a pregnant woman to Blessed Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. She identified herself to be "the perpetual and perfect Virgin Mary, holy mother of the true God through whom everything lives, the Creator and Master of heaven and earth". She also proclaimed herself as Juan Diego’s "merciful mother, the mother of all of you who live united in this land, and of all humankind, of all those who love me, of those who cry out to me, of those who seek me, of those who have confidence in me." Mary showed love to a people who had just escaped from the diabolical Aztec empire in which human sacrifices were offered to false gods. Pope John Paul II proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe patroness of the Americas. She is also recognized as the Patroness of the Unborn. The moment Mary said ‘yes’ to God, Jesus Christ was conceived in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, so Mary is truly the Mother of our Life.  Throughout history Mary has come to the aid of her people. As Mary put an end to the culture of death in Mexico we pray today that she will intercede for all nations, to intercede for us to put an end to the tragedies of abortion, euthanasia and other attacks on human life, and that we might lead other nations to respect the dignity and value of each and every human life from conception to death.