It’s amazing to consider that God wants to join with us humans and that God desires us so much many of us can scarcely imagine it. In the reading from chapter two of Zechariah, we are told that God is coming to be with us and dwell with us! Many people are going to be joined to God, and so to each other. Who in their right mind would want to be with us fragile, bickering, divided, lost, greedy, and hurtful humans? The God who sees our goodness and giftedness despite our faults, and who sees beyond our dividedness can show us a vision of who we truly are and who we can become.
               
Back in grade school, when I looked at statues and pictures of Mary and was told of who she was, she seemed so far beyond us humans as to almost NOT be a human being herself. Yet the Mary that I have come to understand and look to as a role model in faith, as a 56 year old man who is married with children, is a woman who was very real. Mary chose to join herself to God and God’s plan completely. I’m amazed at her openness and her willingness to say ‘yes’ to God and to step past her own fears and doubts. I am often paralyzed by my own doubts and fears, as those doubts and fears can bring me to a halt when I need to act. Mary is a real person role model for all of us who are trying to live our faith, follow Jesus, and share the Good News of God’s salvation in Christ Jesus.
               
I’ve been married to Teresa, my wife, partner and best friend, for over 21 years. We had planned to have a family, and since both of us came from fairly large families, we just assumed we would be able to join in God’s creative process and create children. After some years of infertility treatments and the diagnosis of ‘unexplained infertility’ from several doctors who did their best to help us, we chose to form our family through adoption.
               
I would not have chosen to form our family through adoption, and yet in being open to another way of forming a family, we have been blessed. Our teenage children are just as marvelous, independent, and challenging as any of our nieces and nephews. They are choosing who they are and who they will become, just as all of us choose the same every day. How will I follow Christ today, and how will I share the Good News that Jesus Christ is born? I am challenged daily to share this Good News in my family, with neighbors and friends, and even with those I don’t know very well.  
               
Along with Mary, we Christians are called to ‘proclaim the greatness of God’, even when we are doubtful of God’s greatness or are unsure of God’s plan. Just as Mary showed through Juan Diego that God cared and cares very much about all of us humans, we are called to show in our lives that God cares and God is present. Maybe we can bring in some food for the needy, share an extra coat, or simply listen to someone today. That may be the only indication that person or persons have of God’s presence in our world or God’s care for them.
               
Today let’s all testify with our words and actions that God is a God of love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness. May our actions lead us and others to truly rejoice in our God who saves us from despair.