[stephenkhoo]

THE CAUSE OF OUR JOY AS PARENTS, EDUCATORS, FORMATORS

SCRIPTURE READINGS:  JOEL 4:12-21; LUKE 11:27-28http://www.universalis.com/20131012/mass.htm“Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!”  We can imagine the awe of the woman who spontaneously exclaimed these words from among the crowd who were listening to Jesus.  She, like the rest, must have been so impressed with the powerful ministry of Jesus, seeing His work of exorcism and healing, and hearing His authoritative preaching of the Word of God. Indeed, in saying this, she was giving praise to both Jesus and His mother as well.  Any mother would have been so proud to have such a son!  Not only was He a good preacher, but He was also a kind and compassionate man, one who had a heart for others.Indeed, many of us parents, educators and formators alike, take pride when our children or those under our care do well.  On one hand, we are proud of them for doing well.  However, more often than not, their doing well also boosts our ego and confidence, because we know that we have played a part in their achievements.  We credit ourselves for the contribution we made to their formation and growth, whether financially, morally or personally.  Hence, the greatest reward of parents is to see their children succeed in their studies or in their career.Yet, it is necessary to see the success of those under our charge in perspective.  Too often, we are so concerned with the worldly success of our children that we fail to give due emphasis to the formation of their character and spiritual life.  We think that worldly success is all that matters.  We are too easily impressed by performance, results and recognition. The reason for our joy and happiness for those under our care should not be measured only by the person’s achievements but by the kind of person he/she has imbibed in terms of gospel values and virtues.We can be sure that Mary gave Jesus a holy ambience to grow in wisdom.  Luke tells us, “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (2:51-52).Hence, mindful of what He had received from Mary all those years, Jesus in His reply, directed attention to Mary’s spiritual motherhood instead of that of her physical motherhood. In saying, “still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it”, He was pointing to the fact that, more than being His mother, Mary’s blessedness was made greater because she conceived Him as the Word of God in her heart.  To carry Jesus in our hearts is the greatest of all blessings, because it is through Him that God dwells in us. Thus Mary was blessed because she shared the life of God and was filled with His grace.Indeed, this declaration by Jesus was not just a nice compliment but a statement of fact, which was borne out throughout Mary’s life.  From the outset, we read of Mary’s response to the invitation of angel Gabriel to be the mother of God.  Her swift response to the call of God was “May it be done to me according to your word”. (Lk 1:38)  Such an answer certainly was not easy, considering the complexity of having to explain her pregnancy to Joseph, her parents and other relatives; the shame, embarrassment and ridicule she would have had to face, and most of all, even the possibility of being accused of adultery and hence being stoned to death.Truly, Mary’s obedience of faith is incomparable and extraordinary.  Only someone who knows God so intimately could give such a confident and faithful response to His call.  Furthermore, the initial “yes” to the Lord was but the beginning of the many “yes-es” throughout her life.  From the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem to the flight to Egypt; then coming back to Nazareth and throughout Jesus’ ministry, right up to the foot of the cross, Mary had to endure much pain, suffering, anxiety and humiliation.  So the act of obedience of faith at the conception of Jesus was only the beginning of many crosses that she had to carry for her Son and with her Son, especially at Calvary.  Indeed, Mary knew that the Lord could be trusted and is reliable.  “The Lord roars from Zion, makes his voice heard from Jerusalem; heaven and earth tremble. But the Lord will be a shelter for his people, a stronghold for the sons of Israel.”  It is with such faith and confidence that she could continue to believe in the Lord, even in the face of absurdity, especially in the death of her only Son.In this sense, Mary can be said to be the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel in today’s first reading.  God showed His fidelity to Israel in the person of Mary.  In Mary, we see God pouring forth His blessings and grace.  In a special way, God dwelled in Mary, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Joel when God said through him, “You will learn then that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem will be a holy place, no alien will ever pass through it again.”   God lived in Mary and thus she had the grace to always respond generously and faithfully to the Lord’s will.  Without His grace at work in her, she would not have been able to fulfill God’s will throughout her life.  This is something we can learn from her.  Instead of taking credit for ourselves when those under our charge do well, we must remember that success and fruition is the consequence of God’s grace and we are merely channels of His grace. Let us not get too swell-headed, thinking that someone’s success and accomplishment are purely due to our hard work.Instead of fearing the “day of the Lord” as wicked and sinful people do, Mary, like the Prophet Joel, welcomed and looked forward to the Day of the Lord.  She knew that the Day of the Lord is a time of liberation and restoration; not the destruction of those who are faithful to the Lord.  She anticipated the Day of the Lord because through her, God would restore Israel through the birth, passion and death of her Son.  As the prophet said, “When the day comes, the mountains will run with new wine and the hills flow with milk, and all the river beds of Judah will run with water.” Who could this be, but Jesus, who is the New Wine and the Living Water that gives joy and life to us all.What was given to Mary is given to us all.  God too wants to pour out His blessings on us all as He did for Mary.  All we are asked to do is to respond in faith like Mary.  Only with faith in Him can we surmount all the difficulties in daily life, especially in relationships with our loved ones, at work and in Church.  We too can be blessed if only we hear the Word of God and put it into practice.  Like Mary, we are called to listen to the Word of God so that we can truly help our children and loved ones to seek the true blessedness of life, which is to do the will of God and to share in His life.Indeed, the great privilege of life is more than just being the mother of Jesus and, by extension, to be the mother, relative or mentor of someone who is successful in the world.  Nay, the greatest privilege is to know that this person whom we have helped today is not only successful in the world, but that he/she has contributed to the development of his/her fellowmen, especially in his/her work for the poor and the marginalized.   If our children are only successful but not God-fearing, then trouble lies ahead of them.  What we need to instill in our children today are virtues of integrity, honesty, commitment, justice, respect, compassion and filial piety.  If they cultivate the virtues of our Lord, then we can say that not only are they are blessed, but we are doubly blessed, for what can we wish for our children if not a blessed life like Mary’s.- See more at: http://www.csctr.net/reflections/#sthash.g9uDN6gH.dpuf