On ways in which I emulate Mary

There's much in Roman Catholic circles about emulating Mary. Many sincerely believe that Marian devotion is a real path to unity between Protestants and Catholics. ECT is going to bring out a whole paper on ecumenical approaches to Mary soon.

I'm not unfamiliar with Catholic devotion to Mary, having had a brush with Catholicism myself, and I understand the attractions it holds. But you know, I'm not a Catholic, and I don't believe that she was ever-virgin, assumed into heaven, (In fact, for ages, I thought 'The Assumption' meant that it was a guess you had to believe in, which isn't so far from the truth, really...) and nor do I believe she dispenses all graces. I think she's probably consumed with wonder and love in the presence of her Lord, in all honesty.

But this idea of her being someone that Christians emulate has been something I've pondered for ages. Because, like any other biblical Christian, it's perfectly true. And where she was godly, this is a really good thing. Being willing for God's will to be done, however hard and terrifying, as Mary was at the annunciation, is something I admire greatly.

Being gathered together with the other believers in prayer as she was at the descent of the Holy Spirit, is something I know I need to do more.

Yet there are other things in which I emulate her and I shouldn't. When I discover that Christ seems absent from me, I do as Mary did, and look everywhere, leaving the house of God until last. When life throws me a problem, I do not trust, but instead, I often need the Lord to remind me to wait on His timing. When something of His teaching challenges me, I am far too apt to stand apart from him, as Mary did with her other sons, calling Him out.

I want to emulate her faithfulness, and I too often find I emulate her moments of confusion and faithless behaviour. I want to emulate her quiet following of the Way - I love the way she just disappears after the Holy Spirit fills the disciples in the Upper room. In this day and age, it's quite the thing to want to be part of 'the chosen generation', to be the one to 'make an impact for God'.

I love that Mary's lasting impact was simply bringing Jesus into the world, and a beautiful hymn of devotion to her God, in the Magnificat - none of which should make us think of Mary, but of the wonderful loving God who blessed her. I fear ending my days with a legacy that makes people think of the Doctor, or my politics, or, God forbid, me, more than they think of Jesus Christ.