Mary was turned "InsideOut"

This past weekend, I had the (awesome) opportunity to be one of two priests at the annual Fall Retreat, which is put on by a number of the youth ministers of the Diocese.  This year's theme was "InsideOut".  It - as expected - was a WONDERFUL experience of faith.  And I'm not just saying that for myself; I believe that the majority of the youth who were there also got a lot out of it.

One of the greatest moments of grace during the retreat was celebrating Saturday morning Mass for all on the retreat.  I chose to celebrate one of the Marian Advent selections (from the Marian Sacramentary / Lectionary set), namely, the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.  I talked about how Mary's life was turned "inside out" by God's invitation to bear His Son.  Elizabeth's life was turned "inside out", too, when asked to be the mother of the Lord's herald.  The lives of Zechariah and Joseph were changed, as well, for their plans were changed by the announcement of God's working in the lives of these two women.


And today - the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - we reflect upon the role that Mary assumes by her fiat - her "yes" - to the Lord.  And she, in her free will, was willing to submit to the will of God in her life because, from the beginning of time (or before!), God knew that she would be willing to become the Mother of His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to save all of humanity.  But, as we were able to discover at the retreat, Mary had to learn what it was to be turned "inside out".


And so do we.


For us to be able and willing to submit our lives to the will of God, we have to be able and willing to be turned "inside out".  The great quote from the weekend was: "The world works from the outside in.  The Lord works from the inside out."  And how true this statement is when we take the time to not only see how God is working in and through our lives, but when we allow Him to use us as the instruments of His will.  For us to be turned "inside out" means that we have to allow God to be God, not to hold anything back, let go of everything that constricts us from running to God, and falling in love with God with reckless abandon.  


Mary is our ultimate example of how to do this.  Gabriel came to her, and asked Mary to be turned "inside out" so that the will of God may be fulfilled and our salvation may be accomplished through the Son.  She was able to say "yes" to something that was beyond and above her, and yet she submitted to the will of the Father.  She was confused about what was being said and what was happening around - and inside - her, but Mary was able to place all her hope and trust in God that everything would turn out as He had planned.  Mary learned and later on saw first-hand how Elizabeth had been turned "inside out" (as had Zechariah), and this could have given her strength in her saying "yes" to God's invitation.


How do we encounter God?  What is His invitation for us?  Do we have the courage to say "yes" and place all our trust in Him?  Do we still ponder God's plan for our lives?  All these important questions are essential for us to ponder over and pray about.  But the first question after looking at Mary's example is most important to begin with:


Are we willing to be turned "inside out"?








Enjoy the journey . . .