It’s Ridiculous But I Believe

This December, a series of daily Advent, devotional postings is running from December 1st to December 25^th. Journey beside Mary, the Mother of God, as she waits for the birth of Jesus.

STRENGTH

Scripture: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29a)

Quote of the day: “Unless you are willing to do the ridiculous, God will not do the miraculous” (Mother Angelica).

Song Suggestions
“We Believe,” by the Newsboys
“Do You Believe?” from The Cross and the Light Soundtrack
​
Questions: Do I believe in the Father, Son, and Spirit? Do I believe in the death and resurrection of Christ? Do I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church?

MIND

Today, we are going to enter the town of Beth Haccherem. This is the traditional town of Judah where Zechariah and Elizabeth resided. In our current day, Beth Haccherem is called Ein Karem and is a neighborhood in modern Jerusalem. Yet, in the time of Mary, Beth Haccherem was a town just west of Jerusalem.

A servant has welcomed Mary into Zechariah’s house and Mary now stands waiting in the enormous, familiar courtyard, lined with limestone pillars. The servant is off in search of his mistress, Elizabeth.

Mary’s eyebrows furrow as she walks about the greenery in the court. What is taking Elizabeth so long? Mary wonders if all is well with the pregnancy. Yet, she is quick to put her faith in the Child Who rests within her.

For a moment, Mary thinks she hears Elizabeth’s voice. Perhaps she was just imagining it.

“Elizabeth!” Mary calls out, leaning toward a doorway, in search of her cousin.

A loud cry echoed from behind her. Startled, Mary turns around.

“Most blessed are you among women,” Elizabeth cries, bounding toward Mary with outstretched arms, “and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

Mary laughs from pure joy and clasps Elizabeth’s outstretched hands.

“And how does this happen to me,” Elizabeth exclaims, her face as youthful as Mary has ever remembered, “that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

Mary’s mouth drops in surprise. She instinctively looks down at her own womb, which hardly has a bump to it. Looking to Elizabeth, she examines her cousin’s bulging stomach beneath a loose linen tunic.

“For at the moment, the sound of your greeting reached my ears,” Elizabeth continues, “the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” She laughs, keeping hold of one of Mary’s hands while the other rests on her own womb. “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

(Scriptural Reference and Inspiration: Luke 1:39-45)

HEART

Blessed are you who believed…

Sometimes, the presence of God is so real in our lives. Sometimes, God’s truth seems so marvelous that we don’t have the slightest doubt that He exists. Even more, we don’t doubt His goodness. Then, sometimes if we take a step back and look at things from a human perspective, God’s ways appear ridiculous! To think that God chooses to come to us in the form of bread and wine! And that Jesus has said to eat His Body and Blood! Furthermore, God chooses to bring salvation through a lowly woman! Mary. God chooses little human Mary to be the vessel of His graces.

“Say what?” We might ask.

To add further complexity, this life is filled with suffering. Jesus says that suffering will bring us joy; that only in death are we brought to eternal life; that only in choosing the lowest place will we be placed in the highest.

Yet, God’s ways are not our ways, are they (Isaiah 55:8)? That is where the gift of faith comes in. That is when we must respond to that gift of faith and belief.

Go ahead and make an act of faith today. You can do this by praying with the Apostles Creed. See the prayer below!

SOUL

Lord, Your ways make no sense to me. I wonder why You Yourself don’t just send the angel Gabriel to tell me what path to take in life.

Lord, I make an act of faith in You now. With Mary, I say that I believe!

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and of earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
I believe He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
I believe that He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified died, and was buried.
I believe He descended into hell and on the third day, He rose again from the dead.
I believe He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit.
I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.
I believe in the communion of saints
I believe in the forgiveness of sins.
I believe in the resurrection of the body.
I believe in life everlasting. Amen.

Oh, perfect, Heavenly Father, I have faith in You. I pray for those who do not have faith in You, that they may come to know You.

Mary, teach me how to wait.