Modeling Mary: Our Pilgrimage of Faith

When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple to “present him to the Lord” (see Lk 2:22–35), they encountered Simeon, a man who for many years was “awaiting the consolation of Israel.” Filled with the Spirit, Simeon testified that this child was the long-awaited Savior, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” He prophesied that the child would be a sign of contradiction, “destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel,” and that a sword would pierce the heart of Mary, a prophecy relating the mother to the sufferings of her son.
Simeon’s words were a continuation of the message at the Annunciation, though this time the prophet gave Mary a description of the kingdom.

Living With the WAY

When Jesus was twelve years old, upon making a yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover, he separated himself from his parents. When they asked why he had not informed them, Jesus replied, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk 2:49), indicating that Jesus’ mission was much larger than his immediate family. Mary was troubled at these words, which neither she nor Joseph understood. Again, Mary “kept all these things in her heart.”

As Jesus began his public life, the differences between him, the people in his town, and even his own family appear to increase. Mark records that his relatives wanted to seize him, thinking he was “out of his mind” (Mk 3:21).
When Jesus received the message that his mother and cousins were outside asking to speak with him, his answer must have shocked his hearers: “Who are my mother and [my] brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. [For] whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother” (Mk 3:31–35).

Similarly, a woman who wished to compliment his mother cried out, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” Jesus appeared to deflect that praise of his mother as he said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Lk 11:27).