Our mistake is that we want God to send a renewal on our terms

"For a son of God each day should be an opportunity for renewal, knowing for sure that with the help of grace he will reach the end of the road, which is Love.” - St Josemaria Escriva 

(Scripture Text: Gal 4:4-7)

Brothers and sisters:

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,

born of a woman, born under the law,

to ransom those under the law,

so that we might receive adoption as sons.

As proof that you are sons,

God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,

crying out, “Abba, Father!”

So you are no longer a slave but a son,

and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Today the Church celebrates the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

There is a beautiful hymn from the early Church that Paul quotes in his letter to the Philippians: Jesus, being in the form of God, did not cling to his being equal to God...[2:6]. Perhaps paradoxically we all catch ourselves at times reversing the attitude reflected in that hymn. We rather cling to the notion that we are not equal to God, so as to excuse ourselves from having more Christ-like attitudes: “Fine for Jesus, he was the Son of God; Fine for Mary, she was the Mother of God; but I am just a 'pedestrian', I cannot be held to such high standards”.

It is all too obvious that none of us can be Mother of God and that none of us will be taken up to heaven without experiencing corruption. But Mary's greatness does not lie primarily in what she did, but rather in what she allowed God to do with and in her, in her total availability to God's desire for her.

It is Mary’s inner attitude that is the example for us.

What is truly great in Mary is she remained always available to what God was asking of her. Did she understand everything that was happening? The answer is a clear and emphatic no. The Church sets Mary before us today because we, like her, need faith to journey into the unknown and her faith can inspire us.

Scripture tells us that Mary reflected in her heart about the injustices she, Joseph, and her Child were required to endure (Lk 2:19). Such reflection can sometimes lead people to self-pity, anger toward God, or bitterness. Mary however embraced her situation with humility and trust.

Whatever this year may bring, let us reflect on the words of Our Blessed Mother in the book of John, "Do whatever He tells you" (Jn 2:5).

By faith, at the side of Mary, look to Jesus, our only Hope and the only Hope we need.