Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The readings focus on Mary. Since Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation (the taking on of flesh) of God among us, Mary is very important. Mary gives flesh to the Word of God.
The reason why Mary holds an important place in Catholic and Orthodox theology and spirituality is her role in the Incarnation. Mary makes God more than a concept; she saves us from a too theological or philosophical approach to God. Through the Holy Spirit, she makes God visible. Mary is one of us. Honored in the Gospel, holding a special place in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful, she is the first disciple of the Lord. She is the first member of the Church. She is not divine but human, yet she is for us a model of faithfulness to the Word of God. She is the Mother of the Faithful.
Mary in Art and Scripture
The world of art has done both a service and a disservice to Mary. Icons aim at preserving her holiness and her motherhood. Various forms of Western art, in an attempt to portray her, sometimes presented us with an image that was too perfect and too distant.
Yet from the sacred text, which is rather silent on Mary, we do have an outline of a strong witness, a woman of prayer who seems down to earth. In Luke 1:34f, we see that she questions the angel. She clearly knows the facts of life. How many of us would question an angel? We find her in Cana being concerned over the couple who has just been married because they have no wine. She moves Jesus to perform a sign. We see her enduring sorrow beyond all imagination at the foot of the cross. She seems to struggle to understand Jesus in Mark’s Gospel (not unlike all souls who seek to follow the Lord).
Mary as Journey Partner in Faith
For me, Mary is an important journey partner in the walk of faith. I see her not as a person reserved for women only, but as a companion for any soul who is longing to live a life in the Spirit of God. Carrying Jesus in her womb or in her heart, she is a sign for me that God is present even when he seems absent and distant.
A woman who went through times of confusion and upsetment, she reminds me that God does have a plan. God is in the many changes that occur in our respective lives. Not unlike a parent who gently reminds us to have patience and wait, she is an example of one who waits on the Lord. She is a sign that God does fulfill his promises.
Mary as Teacher of Prayer
As a sign of prayer, she teaches us that prayer is a matter for the heart. In Luke 2:20, we learn that she kept all the things regarding Jesus in her heart and reflected on them. Perhaps we can imitate her prayer and reflect on the Word of God made flesh, also known as Jesus, all the day of our lives.
Just as Mary brings Jesus to us, she can bring us to Jesus in a real and compelling way. Just as Mary gives flesh to the invisible Word of God, thus making God visible in Jesus, so we too, through practicing of our faith, can give flesh to Mercy, Love, Compassion, Justice, and Peace by the way we choose to live out the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
Together, let us proclaim the greatness of the Lord who is Jesus.
Msgr. Guy A. Massie
December 21, 2025