Let us not be “fair-weather disciples!”

When the Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that God had chosen her to be the Mother of his Son, the Messiah, her “yes” to God was total and ongoing. Her response to the Angel stands forever as the model for our response to God’s initiatives in our lives: “Be it done to me according to your word!” Because of Mary’s single-hearted openness to God’s plan, she conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and brought forth the world’s Savior, Jesus the Christ.

In the rough and tumble of daily life, we can easily compromise our “yes” to God. In the face of setbacks, anger and disappointment can get the better of us. Instead of opening our hearts to God’s will, we can dwell on ourselves. Even then, Mary is never far away from us, only a prayer away, really. She urges us to surrender all bitterness and self-absorption, and instead entrust ourselves to God’s providential love. Mary did not understand all that the Incarnation would demand of her any more than we understand all that God is asking of us. Yet, when we say “yes” to whatever God wills for our lives, we discover a newfound peace.

A second essential characteristic of the Christian life is fidelity. Many episodes in Mary’s life illustrate this quality. As she entered the house of Elizabeth, her cousin cried out, “Blessed is she who believed that God’s promises would be fulfilled!” Mary’s faith never wavered as she witnessed astonishing events in the life of her divine Son. Instead, she lovingly stored these mysteries in her heart. As Jesus began his public mission, Mary became his first and best disciple. In her goodness, she epitomized the Beatitudes.(…)

It is all too easy for us to leave the path of discipleship. Think of how many Catholics have abandoned the practice of the faith. Some claim they left because of scandal, others because they no longer feel it meets their needs, and still others because of social pressure. Mary urges us to cling to our faith for the long haul. Let us not be “fair-weather disciples!”

Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore (Maryland, USA), May 4, 2021

Catholic Review