Beloved beyond all telling.

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The last Sunday of Advent's Gospel tells of Mary's visit to Her cousin. It was a long journey, approximately 500 miles to and fro. On foot. Walking was the mode of travelling that day and age, but considering She was of Child, the journey could have been a harrowing one. Mary had to do it, for Her cousin was perhaps a nonagenarian, three quarters of a century to Her tender fifteen years. We travel through life, the signposts prepared and advised, for strict obedience. Actually, there are just ten commandments, and we could easily remember by looking at our ten fingers on our two hands: first, Honor God, second, honor His Name, and so on. Yet, we choose to ignore the obedience to the Law. Mary was unique. She answered Yes despite knowing Her Baby Bump would mean stoning. That was the punishment for adultery. She accepted the sorrow, bearing a Child from Nazareth to Bethlehem, with no sure place to deliver Her Baby. She panicked when She realized She left Her Boy at the Temple, and reprimanded Him for doing so, but quickly calmed when He said He was about His Father's Will. The awkward years were never revealed, but eighteen years after, when Her Child has grown into a Man, She asserted Her Motherhood and instructed Her Son to turn the water into wine. And what do we know. God obeyed Her. Then as subtly She was removed from the picture, Her Son recruiting fisher folks and tax collectors for apostleship. Judea was a vast land to lay the foundation of God's teachings. Three years later, Mary was back into the picture, in most agonizing situation - Her Son was accused and tried, flagellated on a pillar, crowned with briar thorns, whipped as He carried a Cross through Calvary. Crucified. As if it was not enough, He was pierced with a lance from which flowed Blood and Water. Mary was there, at the foot of the Cross, watching Her Son endure the Supreme Sacrifice. And Mary, in sorrowful fashion, endured it all, too. That is why She is the Beloved beyond all telling.