Friday 15 August 2025
So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. (v. 7)
Background
Today is the feast day of the blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, hence moving away from the journey we have been travelling with the prophet Micah this week. We mark this day to remember Mary, and what she did to set us on our journey of faith as we encounter her son in our lives.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes to the people reminding them of God continuing to act in the world. God allowed a young woman to be the instrument of hope by bearing and giving birth to God's son, the one who was to transform the world for those people who in their time – and even in our own times – were without hope.
Mary came obedient to God to challenge society by giving birth as an unmarried woman to a child who was to transform the world. Over the centuries she has been used as an example of obedience in a very special way. She both stood out against society and was obedient to what God wanted of her. The Catholic Church acknowledges the special nature of her sacrifice and her obedience which we in the less conformist churches do not acknowledge in quite the same way. But nonetheless this woman, whose story we read in Luke’s Gospel, deserves her feast day, for if it had not been for her obedience we might not be walking the journey today in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Ponder:
- How do you regard Mary? Do you see her just as the mother of Jesus or as an example to follow as we seek to be obedient to the commandments given to us by her son?
- How do we acknowledge the special nature of Mary's relationship with God despite not acknowledging her in worship as the Catholics do? Should we use her as an example when we seek to share the gospel to encourage others to see her obedience as being an example to us all?
Prayer
Lord on this special day we acknowledge the way in which you used a young girl to fulfil your purpose as she became the mother of your son, in whose name we come to worship you. We ask that you help us through your Holy Spirit to be equally obedient to the call you place on our lives, through your son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Pat Billsborrow
Pat came into ministry 38 years ago and has been a supernumerary for 19 years. She is happy to continue serving wherever she is needed.