Docile to Freedom

A Reflection on the Gospel for August 15th, 2021:
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Luke
1.39-56

Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

I’m imagining our Blessed Mother finding herself in this inexplicable situation. Young, betrothed but not married, and pregnant though still a virgin. Yet, from the moment that Gabriel appeared to her, she was humble and docile to God’s plan for her and for the world, knowing that by yielding to it, she had nothing to fear.


Her cousin Elizabeth knows this freedom as well. Barren well into old age, she experienced the favour of God and understood with gratitude His mercy and generosity. Her son, John, leapt with joy in her womb when she greeted Mary carrying Jesus. From within the womb, he knew that God had a plan, and Elizabeth’s joyful greeting gave Mary permission and freedom to declare her unbridled yes to Him. Her Magnificat poured out of her giving us a glimpse into how to live life fully.


Mary recognized what God had done, and was only able to do so because of her docility. She was focused and faithful. She had no concept of what lay ahead, yet she gave her total yes to Him. She surrendered herself totally to Him, and trusted. She believed that she was called to give her all to Him, and that she had nothing to fear. We know how her story unfolds — the rejection, the humiliation, the exile, the labour of raising and nurturing the Saviour of the world only to hold Him in her arms after the world crucified Him. She didn’t know any of this was coming, and yet she gave her all in total faith. She followed with pure intention.


These days, docility can be viewed as a weakness. Being seen as someone who is willing to relinquish control and be submissive is not acceptable in today’s secular world. We are told to rely on ourselves because no one knows what you need more than you do. Yet when it comes to being docile to God, we experience such freedom! He knows exactly what we need and when we will need it. Jesus placed us in the care of His blessed Mother, and she will embrace us in all our brokenness. She brought Jesus into the world and then followed Him in a radical way. Her example of real faith makes every impossibility disappear and equips us for His mission in today’s world. We are called to follow Him in that same radical way and to encourage others to join us.


Let us pray...
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us that docility to You and Your plan is what our world needs today. Let us follow You and the example You gave us through Mary’s fiat. Help us to leap with joy at every opportunity, knowing that You have called us to be Your disciples, and equip us to bring others into Your love through Jesus’ name. Amen




Sandy Graves

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