GOD WAS THE FIRST TO HONOUR MARY


 *Wednesday, December 20, 2023* 

 *THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT* 


First Reading. Isaiah 7: 10-14

Psalm.  24: 1-6 (R. see 7c, 10c)

Gospel. Luke 1: 26-38


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION 


 *GOD CHOSE MARY TO HONOUR HER* 


 *GOD WAS THE FIRST TO HONOUR MARY* 


I kindly plead with us not to 

1. DISHONOUR whom God HONOURS. 

2. DISRESPECT whom God RESPECT

3. DOWNGRADE whom God UPGRADE

4. ATTACK whom God PROTECT

5. HATE whom God LOVES, etc.


We should be careful not to allow satan with his evil trick to deceive us that the woman whom God chose to manifest His divine mystery is useless. 


The first reading from the prophet Isaiah made it clear that God will give a sign and the sign reads: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God is with us].” cf. Isaiah 7: 14 

This prophecy was foretold about the 7th century before Christ's birth. (7 BC)


Remember that no name was mentioned when the prophecy was made, and centuries after, the prophecy fell on a lady called Mary. 


Now, let's take it this way, let us assume that as a young person, before you marry, a prophecy came that one of your daughters will be great in life and will liberate you and your family members from poverty and wretchedness; remember, you are not yet married, and you don't even know whom you are going to marry, or if you will give birth to only boys after you get married. 


Let me ask, how will you know who the prophecy will be referring to among your yet-unborn children? 

I guess such will become a riddle. 


Later in life, you got married, and fortunately or unfortunately, you gave birth to 10 girls. So, how will you know which among your 10 girls will fulfil the prophecy? Your mind will keep wondering.


Nevertheless, you later discovered that it is your last daughter Mary who will fulfil the decade's prophecy that came to you when you were single


Now, here are my questions for you. 

1. When the prophecy came, was any name mentioned to you? NO.

2. Did your last daughter ever know about the prophecy or thought of fulfilling any prophecy you were long foretold before you married? NO.

3. As a person, will you not honour and respect her to be the Lord chosen to fulfil the prophecy of liberating you and your family? YES.

4. Will you ever have the mind to dishonour your daughter whom God has honoured to liberate you and your family? NO.

5. Finally, how will you feel if people insult your God's chosen daughter?

..........................................


Well, the questions may go on till infinity. 


Therefore, from the analysis above, I guess we should know that Mary never knew about the prophecy foretold long ago, and neither did she choose herself, God chose her to fulfil the prophecy. Quoting from today's Gospel, God sent His Angel from heaven to her, and the Angel said: 

"HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH YOU". cf Luke 1: 28.


The word HAIL means to acclaim, to greet with enthusiastic approval. So, Mary was acclaimed by the Lord, and not by a human being. More reason she remained blessed forever. 


She was to conceive according to the prophecy of Isaiah, and since she knew no man, being a virgin, she asked how that be possible, and the Angel told her 

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.


”And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. 

It was at this response of Mary that THE WORD OF GOD TOOK FLESH IN HER WOMB. 


This is known in Latin as FIAT, meaning "let it be done"


Finally, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let's not stop to honour Mary. 

Mary did not choose herself, God chose her. 

If God honours her, who am I not to honour her? 


I guess you know that... 

**To dishonour your child is to dishonour you. 

**To dishonour your parent is to dishonour you.  

**Not following your verbal instruction is a sign of great disrespect and insubordination. 


Therefore... 

To dishonour Mary is to dishonour God, which by implication, one is tactically saying, that God, made a mistake to have chosen her as the mother of His only begotten Son. 


May we not out of ignorance, make a costly spiritual mistake. 


 *Peace ✌️be with you.* 


 *Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.*

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