Mary's Gift of Self

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

These words of Mary to the angel Gabriel during the Annunciation are probably the best example of living life. They are a living example of the first Beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). It is in these words that we see Mary, at such a young age, turning herself over to God completely. It is here that she makes the complete “gift of self”, not only for God but for all of mankind.

Emptying one’s self is exactly what was lived by the life of Christ. And this is no surprise, looking at the life his mother lived. But Christ went as far as to wash the feet of his disciples. Could you ever do that?

We are all called to empty ourselves daily. And many are called to do it as Mary did—marriage and childbearing. These two acts, which work hand-in-hand, are only possible with the total gift of self. You give up a lot of personal freedom, in a manner of speaking, when you marry someone. You bring two lives together into one life—physically, spiritually, mentally and monetarily. And, as if that was not enough, you further put your life on the line whenever you have children. Children take up years of your time and bundles of your money. And why do we do this? Why did Mary give up her life for the salvation of so many? Why did she choose to endure the pain and anguish that she so long endured during our Lord’s Passion? It brought God to life in our lost world. That is why she made the total gift of self.