The Act of Pondering

Throughout the Advent period, the scriptures introduced us to the people who played various roles in the story that is unfolding during the time of Christmas.  First there was John: the one who prepared the way; then we met Mary and through her, we also met Joseph and others who were part of their respective families.  During the Christmas season too, we are invited to see the nativity through the eyes of all those who were there.  We have already heard about angels who appeared to shepherds in the fields.  Today’s gospel passage speaks of the visit of the shepherds who went with haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger (Lk 2:16), but in the context of today’s liturgy, the shepherds’ visit allows us to focus on Mary.

On this day, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary who we recognize as the Holy Mother of God.  Today, we also commemorate the fifty-second World Day of Peace.  Saint Luke tells us that Mary was contemplative.  At the moment of the Annunciation, she treasured the angel’s words and pondered them in her heart.  All mothers ponder!  Pregnancy itself invites such an attitude, as an expectant mother is increasingly conscious of the new life that is growing within her so it should not surprise us to hear that Mary treasured the words she heard and pondered them in her heart (cf Lk 2:19).

For generations – even before the time of Mary – the words of Aaron’s blessing had been spoken on a daily basis in all Jewish homes.  Both Mary and Joseph had heard these words from the days of their childhood.  Mary probably pondered the words of that blessing too: May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace (Nm 6:24-26).

Perhaps on many occasions even during her pregnancy, she had pondered these words.  Perhaps she had wondered all along the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem how it was that God was blessing her and her beloved Joseph.  Perhaps she marvelled at the way God was caring for them – keeping them – by finding a place for her to rest, and then shepherds surprised them by bursting into the cave and telling them about a message they had heard from a choir of angels.  Could it really be true that God was blessing all of humanity?  Yes.

God kept Joseph and Mary safe throughout all that ordeal.  Despite all the obstacles, God orchestrated the safe delivery of Jesus.  In spite of the shadows that were looming, God’s face shone on their little family.  Mary saw God’s face in the face of her son as he suckled.  She saw God’s face in Joseph’s eyes as he gazed in wonder and joy upon the son he had been invited to care for, and she saw God’s face in the other-worldly joy of the shepherds.

Aaron’s blessing spoke of the gift of peace.  The shepherds had spoken of angels who had sung a song of peace.  Dear brothers and sisters, the nativity invites us all to ponder – like Mary – the wonderful truth that when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son (Gal 4:4) to bring us the gift of his peace.