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0 0 Diocese of Savannah lid'll (tross Vol. 80, No. 45 Thursday, December 21, 2000 Diocesan and Papal honors —PAGE 7 $.50 PER ISSUE a Come to know Mary this Christmas My dear friends in Christ, uring Advent, a major television network used a part of its precious prime-time coverage to air a segment titled “In Search of Mary.” It was refreshing to find such a program in the midst of all the other entertainment erings. How did this young girl, who was described poetically by John Lynch as a “Woman Wrapped in Silence,” become one of the most noted women in history? D offerings. ] P erhaps it is precisely because she was a woman of silence and sim plicity. Perhaps we as a people, as a nation, are seeking a deeper sense of the spiritual. We are so busy and so preoccupied. Perhaps we are looking for something simpler, something sacred, something that touches the very essence of who we are? W hat is it that has caused Mary to be called “our tainted nature’s solitary boast?” Let us look at some characteristics of her life that are so ordinary and yet so pro found. Concern for others F ollowing the news that she would become the mother of Jesus, Mary apparently put aside a lot of her own unanswered ques tions and doubts and not only visit ed her elderly, pregnant cousin Elizabeth, but also stayed with her for several months. shared. We are the stewards of creation and as such, are obedient to God’s will and plan. Listen to the words of Mary: “The Almighty has done great things for me.” —Luke 1:49 “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your Word.” —Luke 1:38 M ary always said “Yes” to the Lord, even when her life was filled with tragic moments, as Simeon foretold: “Behold this child (Jesus) is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be contradicted— and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many will be revealed.” —Luke 1:34-35 Acceptance of Hardship M ary’s life was not an easy one. In Bethlehem she sought a place to give birth to her child. In her journey into Egypt she was flee- 8? ing persecution. On Calvary she bore ■o the ultimate pain—present at the P “bedside” of her dying son. Wi A re we disconnected from those we love? Frequently, this results because we fail to take time to visit, to share our sto ries and to be solicitous of one another. Mary had time for God. We should make time for one another. Just as Mary gave her time to Elizabeth, the cousin also expresses her love and appreciation for Mary. “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” —Luke 1:45 Obedience to God’s Call W e live in an age where the good of the individual is given more prominence than the common good. This can be detri mental to humankind. All the gifts we have received, spiritual and material, are ultimately God’s gifts to us. Gifts given are gifts to be hy should we be devoted to Mary? For the same reason that God was devoted to her. He selected Madonna and Christ Child her to be the bearer of “the Word Made Flesh.” Mary is the original Christ bearer—she brought Christ to us and to the world. It is now our turn to bring Christ to the World and His mother will assist us. C ome to know Mary this Christmas season. She will share with you in ways beyond telling, the mystery of the Christ, the God child who became man, and gifted us by his life, death and resur rection. She will share with you a simpler way and lead you to the sacred. Sincerely yours in Christ, Bishop of Savannah