I find it fascinating that throughout history, when aspects of our ancient faith are removed—whether out of fear or misunderstanding, they are inevitably replaced by something secular.
Take, for instance, Holy Days. For centuries, Christians set aside days to remember those who had come before us, marked by their righteousness and participation with God.
But as the Reformation lost its moorings, these days were canceled, dismissed by those in power as superstitious or idolatrous. Yet they didn’t simply vanish. Instead, they were replaced by Memorial Day, Labor Day, Presidents’ birthdays, and other cultural or political observances.
Some of these are great, others less so, but they remain "holy days" in essence, even if the secular world now calls them "holidays."
The Virgin Mary has suffered a similar fate. Following Scripture’s depiction, the Church long honored her as a model of faithfulness.
But in response to those in the Middle Ages who elevated her too far, many Christians threw the baby out with the bathwater, ignoring her altogether.
Cultural stories like Cinderella filled this vacuum. Fairy tales now teach children humility and steadfastness, but they do not connect these virtues to God’s grace.
Instead, these stories often promote righteousness as something we achieve on our own, apart from God.
Cinderella is a wonderful tale, but it lacks the transformative power of Mary’s example, where humility and steadfastness are empowered by grace.
As we approach the final days of Advent, the Church invites us to revisit Mary’s story and reflect on how we, too, can prepare for Christ’s coming.
Mary’s Participation in Grace
Mary’s story is one of participation with God, beginning in humility. The message is clear: God works with the lowly, cooperating with them and raising them up.
Jesus walks with us in our suffering and transforms it into His glory. When we walk with Him in our lowly state, our suffering unites with His.
Paul echoes this in Colossians, rejoicing in his suffering because it is united with Christ’s afflictions for the sake of the Church.
Mary’s story, then, is the story of the Church—and our own.
Arguably the oldest Christian hymn, the Magnificat, comes from her lips. It has been central to the Church’s worship for centuries, sung at Evening Prayer around the world.
In Luke 1, we see the seeds of this honor:
The Angel Gabriel greets her, saying, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaims, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
She calls Mary the mother of her Lord, which over time has become Theotokos or Mother of God.
These honors stem not from Mary’s works but from her humility and faithfulness. It is God working in her that magnifies her.
Mary as Icon of the Kingdom
Mary’s song sets the stage for Jesus’ life and mission. Throughout Ordinary Time, we read how Jesus proclaimed:
“The Kingdom of God is at hand.”
In this Kingdom:
God raises up the lowly.
Leadership exists to serve, not dominate.
Grace flows to those who hunger for righteousness.
This is the promise of the Gospel.
Jesus consistently rebuked those who used power for privilege, wealth, or self-justification. He denounced the deceptions of culture that trade God’s gifts for human distortions.
God’s love meets us where we are but never leaves us there.
Mary embodies this ministry. She is an icon through which we see the beauty, truth, and goodness of Christ.
Icons are not idols but lenses that focus us on God. Through Mary’s story, we glimpse the promise of our Savior.
“Let It Be to Me According to Your Word”
Mary teaches us a posture of receptive surrender. When Gabriel told her she would bear the Son of God, she responded:
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
This willingness to receive God’s grace opens us to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
Participation with God begins in grace, as it did with Mary. We are called to carry Christ into the world, just as Mary did, and walk in His way.
In Genesis, Eve turned inward, leading to the fall. Mary, on the other hand, turned toward God, embracing His plan to restore humanity. Her willingness transforms striving into lives empowered by Christ.
Baptism, Eucharist, and the Magnificat
Mary’s story reminds us that participation in God’s Kingdom begins with recognizing our hunger for Him.
Baptism mirrors Mary’s humility. It is a renunciation of self-reliance and a commitment to live by God’s grace.
The Eucharist resonates deeply with Mary’s Magnificat. Just as Mary bore the Word made flesh, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
Each time we partake of the Eucharist, we echo Mary’s “let it be to me according to your word,” opening ourselves to Christ’s indwelling.
Living the Magnificat
Mary’s Magnificat is more than her song; it is the Church’s anthem. It declares that God overturns worldly powers and brings His Kingdom to fruition.
As we prepare for Christ this Advent, may Mary’s example guide us.
Humility and surrender are the starting points of true participation in Christ.
Let us magnify the Lord in our lives, embracing the grace of Baptism, the nourishment of the Eucharist, and the daily call to carry Christ into the world.
Like Mary, may we become vessels of God’s transformative love—living icons of His Kingdom, participants in His redemptive plan.
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