It is seemingly remarkable that it is not always Jesus’ birth arrival, Advent, that is emphasized in readings during Advent. Leading up to Christmas, it is just as often, if not more often, that Jesus’ arrival into public life is emphasized. One result is a greater emphasis not on Mary but on John the Baptist. So it is this Sunday with a Gospel reading that describes John and his rather remarkable character. It begins with John’s being “clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist” and feeding “on locusts and wild honey.” It goes on to his communicating truths about life that has people thinking him remarkable.
Mary too is a remarkable character. Nothing about her clothing makes her so as it is quite likely ordinary for the times. She is however pregnant under circumstances that could at least be regarded as unusual if not remarkable. In truth every pregnancy is remarkable and requires much of the mother. For Mary, it requires courage and peace. Mary too witnesses truths; deep truths about courageously and peacefully caring for life growing within us. She has thus been regarded by people across the ages as remarkable. As should every pregnant woman be regarded as remarkable. For every pregnant woman witnesses deep truths about courageously and peacefully caring for life growing within us. We are all of us, men included, bearers of life, pregnant with a new creation ready and able to be a gift to the world. How miraculous this is for pregnant women. Are we attending to pregnant women? Are we learning from them? As we are not doing so from the Gospel, specifically during Advent, it is likely we are not doing so from history, from culture. As we are doing so, then we are better able to give birth to Christs in our world.
“We women are remarkable and we all know that’s true…We birth our babies and stand the pain. We heal their wounds and still remain able to focus … We can cry uncontrollably and still dry our tears. We all stand together shoulder to shoulder and keep all our friends… as if they were our sister or brother. We women are remarkable and can always be counted on to lend a helping hand ’til your troubles are gone. So don’t ever change ladies. Remember why you’re here. You become more remarkable with every passing year.” (Remarkable Women – Edwina Reizer)
Prayer: Spirit, may we all recognize how remarkable we are.
Question: In what remarkable ways am I giving birth to the Christ child?
December 10, 2017 Gospel Mark 1:1-8 Second Sunday of Advent