A Pondering Heart

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord….’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!…’ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:8-14, 19

“Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:51-52

Many in the Catholic Church like to elevate Mary, the mother of Jesus, almost to the level of Christ. They pray petitions to her like they do Jesus. However, Mary was a sinner like all of us, an unusually devout woman, but a sinner nonetheless. As the passages relate above she probably did not initially fully understand all of the plans for her child or why she was chosen to participate in them.

Mary’s act of pondering in her heart consisted of quiet time for deep reflection and contemplation. The word “ponder” describes taking many things, casting them together, and considering them as one. For Mary, this meant reflecting on the angel’s proclamation, her family’s reactions, Joseph’s support, the reaction of people such as the wise men and shepherds to His birth and Jesus’ remarkable increase in not only wisdom but stature (importance/reputation). Mary had been notified by the angel that she was to have a child that would have David’s throne and be called the Son of God but this was overwhelming to take in for a lowly young Jewish virgin like herself. Mary’s pondering was looking for meaning, identifying what was significant, weighing the implications and finding the faith to believe.

Likewise, we ourselves should not only prayerfully read Scripture but also take time to carefully ponder its meaning, being open to the leading and call of the Holy Spirit who will teach us all Truth. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth this Christmas season let us remember a humble virgin who had a great proclamation given to her that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah. She was overwhelmed with all that was associated with His birth and like any of us could only ponder the great Truths given to her to understand all God had for her. The last time we find Mary named in Scripture, she is in the Upper Room, praying with the other believers (Acts 1:14), the things she pondered in her heart had begun to be fully revealed.