As we prepare to celebrate our patronal feast, Mary Assumed into Heaven, each day of our novena clergy of the Archdiocese of Cape Town will offer reflections on Our Lady.
In this reflection for Tuesday, 10 August, Fr Nkululeko Meyiwa OMI, reflects on Mary as Model of Discipleship.
This video is also available on the Archdiocese of Cape Town’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Please share these daily reflections on your parish WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms.
The text of the video is provided below, especially for those who are deaf.
Mary Assumed into Heaven – Model of Discipleship
Welcome, friends, to this novena reflection in preparation to celebrate the Assumption of Mary, Patroness of South Africa.
I would like to focus On Mary, the Model of Discipleship. We will reflect on the words of Mary’s response to God’s invitation: as found in the Gospel of St Luke 1:38.
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your words.”
This response of Mary to the invitation from God, sets the tone for the type of discipleship Mary was to model. Her Yes to Gods invitation changed everything for her and the entire history of our salvation. This Yes was not about her but the fulfilment of God’s will for generations to come. In this manner; Mary accepts and recognises the act of God in her, not as her doing but purely God’s doing. Such a disposition of Mary is notable throughout her mission as a mother, wife and disciple: there are no expectations, no demands or any form of superiority on her part, but rather she remains a humble servant. Her discipleship, therefore, is characterised by total surrender to God’s will, there is no other motive but to serve God in his people. Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation (Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel) Pope Francis called Mary the mother of Evangelization. “With the Holy Spirit,he writes, Mary is always present in the midst of the people… As a true mother, she walks at our side, she shares our struggles and she constantly surrounds us with God’s love.” She remains true to her calling even now.
All creation, especially human beings, has been afforded the gift to hear and choose God over everything. However, it remains one’s choice to say Yes to God’s invitation. Just like in Mary, God does not impose on us but rather invites us continuously to be his ambassadors in his created world. This, therefore, calls for an honest reflection on whatever vocation we have been called to: to revisit our YES. In revisiting our Yes to God’s invitation we need to reflect deeply on the following questions:
*Has it been about God all along or about me?
*Whose will has been at play?
*Am I honestly able to echo the words of Mary anew: ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to you word.’
Let us pray: God our Loving Father, you have given us Mary as our Mother and Model of faith. May we emulate her discipleship in all that you have called us to. Help us to be of service to you as we serve your creation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
May the blessing of the Almighty God remain with us: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.