Friday, December 21, 2012

What’s in it for me?

Dear Parishioners,

“What’s in it for me?” More and more, that question is the question of our society and culture. It certainly wasn’t the attitude of Jesus who humbled himself to come to earth in difficult circumstances to work, suffer, and die for our salvation. Nor was it the attitude of Mary as we see in today’s gospel (Luke 1:39-45). Mary, although she is with child, goes out of her way traveling over rough ground to help her cousin Elizabeth. She didn’t ask, “What’s in it for me?” because she wasn’t self-absorbed, thinking only about herself. Instead, she focused on the need of Elizabeth. Mary is still willing to help those in need; she is our loving mother as well as Jesus’. Let us never forget her and turn daily to her in prayer: “. . . holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

- Father Carl