Ministry with Joy in the Lord
The Lord Christ did not choose St. Mary among the disciples or the seventy apostles, yet she was an amazing and effective example in applying the practical ministry.
- In her silence, she did not tell her betrothed St. Joseph about the annunciation of the angel Gabriel, and she did not reveal to him about the incarnation of the Word in her womb, except that through her holy silence, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream saying “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21). What was offered to Joseph in his life is better than the worldly dialogues.
- Through her holy dialogue with the angel Gabriel, she also ministered, for she offered to humanity across the ages an understanding to the mystery of the incarnation, and the role of the Holy Trinity in it (Luke 1:34).
- As she ministered through holy silence and holy dialogue, she also ministered with the act of holy sacrificial love, and it was said “Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:39-41).
Through this loving act, the home of Zachariah the priest turned into a likening of a joyous heaven. The babe leaped in joy, Elizabeth was filled of the Holy Spirit, and the entire home begun praising God in joy and gladness. O how great is the ministry of Mary, who did not tell them anything but came carrying the Lord Christ, a babe in her womb!
The world does not need sermons or books as much as it thirsts for the entry of the Lord Christ into the hearts and homes and wherever man is found!
The joyous holy life and the ministry
It is good that the church focuses on ministry and evangelism, creating curriculums for evangelism that the believer learns in the spirit of faith and confidence in the work of Holy Spirit of God in him and those being served. It is also good for the believer to serve the non-believers in all aspects of life, so he feels the practical love coming forth from the ministry of God, the lover of mankind. All this is corrupted by blind zealousness, the deadly letter, rigidity, and arrogance of man, for the Holy Spirit of God works in he who lives sanctified by the spirit of humility and love!
The Holy Bible does not mention that St. Mary took with her gifts for the babe (St. John the Baptist) and his parents, and she did not think how to serve her pregnant relative despite being without experience in this situation, and perhaps she had no financial capabilities to offer them.
She felt true richness carrying in her womb the Savior of the world, who grants heavenly joy and gladness of heart. St. Mary offered the Lord of glory Himself who dwells inside her to Zachariah the priest, his wife and their babe and the home transformed into a heavenly resemblance, in need for nothing.
Grant me O Lord the genuine spirit of ministry.
I will depart with St. Mary carrying You in my heart.
Grant me the holy silence, that You may speak in me and through me.
Grant me O Lord the holy dialogue with You.
That I may ask for the salvation of mankind.
Grant me a heart overflowing with love and a mind filled with wisdom.
Grant me to be steadfast in You, and You in me,
I will be, through You, a source of joy to everyone I meet