Walking With Mary
by Elaine Chatwin
Sunday morning, the third Sunday in Advent and I am lying gently awake at 5:30 am. After listening to the birds chattering themselves awake, I become aware that my thoughts are deepening around the figure of Mary, mother of Jesus. I welcome the imagery; Mary has always attracted me in thought and prayer.
As a woman, a daughter, a sister, a mother and grandmother, I believe that Mary understands the depth of worries that can surround my family in a way that only another woman can. I admit that I pray as regularly to Mary as I do to Mother/Father God, my teacher Jesus and the Breath of my Life Holy Spirit. So on this sweet morning of joy, I begin a long silent cycle of the Hail Mary prayer to give thanks for her light that surrounds my loved ones. Sabbath is awake within me as I rise to greet my day.
Later in the morning, I am delighted to discover the Advent service embracing Mary’s Magnificat! The familiar opening words from Luke are sweet to my ears: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...” Again, I am walking with Mary as she opens her heart and pours out praise upon praise to the most Holy.
Honestly, I have no idea why Mary calls me to walk with her … at times I think it is a pretty strange turn of events for a United Church member, but I trust that my heart is opening in the midst of my daily faith journey, and so I walk with Mary along the way.