Our Radiant Model

Our Radiant Model

Bible Readings:

Galatians 3:22-29; Luke 11:27-28

Our society today is experiencing a major crisis of faith. In this computer age, we have made such vast strides in technology that we have become a self-sufficient and sophisticated people. God has become irrelevant in the lives of many, who put their faith in their own ingenuity. But Mary was a paragon of faith throughout her life. She believed in God and in Jesus as his Son. St Paul said, In Christ Jesus, you are all sons of God in faith (Gal 3:26). So we are God's children by faith in Christ. Mary's exemplary faith made her the highly favoured daughter of God. But her faith was not empty of actions. She said Yes to every call that came from God. When a woman said to Jesus, in effect, Your mother must be proud of you, Jesus replied, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it (Lk 11:28). His reply was not a denial of what the woman had said. He only wanted to underline the importance of Mary's faith and obedience over her giving physical birth to him. No person has more fully heard the Word of God and no person has kept that Word completely than Mary. Mary gave full expression to the longing of the poor of Yahweh, and hence she is the radiant model for all believers.