The Ultimate Homemaker

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38

The National Geographic magazine recently published a special issue on women. Next year, 2020, will mark the one hundredth anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which granted women the right to vote.

The place of women in society has changed a lot in the past century. Today, women lead governments and corporations. They are great athletes, scholars and scientists.They are also leaders in the church.

But unfortunately, many things have not changed. Women throughout the world still suffer from discrimination and abuse. In many countries, girls are not permitted to go to school.  In some places, babies are aborted and infants are killed solely because they are girls.

Regardless of any jobs that they have outside the home, most women share a similar occupation. We call them “homemakers.”  They support their husbands, raise children, cook, clean and do other things around the house. Today, more and more men are sharing in this work.

Mary was the ultimate homemaker. She was called and uniquely prepared to make a place for Jesus, the Son of God. In the words of St. Paul, she was chosen by God and according to his purpose.  Mary was a human being. She had questions and doubts about her vocation. She had difficult moments. But she always said, “Yes, Lord.  I am your servant. Let it be done to me according to your word.”

Our baptism calls us to follow the example of Mary. We are all homemakers. We are all chosen by God to make a home for his Son in our hearts and minds and to make the world more and more a place where Jesus and the gospel are welcomed. –jc