I am intrigued by the juxtaposition of John the Baptist’s fiery speech in the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent and the Blessed Virgin Mary’s gentle fiat to God when Archangel Gabriel appears to her in the Tuesday Gospel for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

As John exhorts his followers to repent from their sins and accuses the leaders of being “a brood of vipers,” Mary simply tells Gabriel, “May it be done to me according to your word.”

Elsewhere in our Advent Scripture readings, we will hear the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth who is six months pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth tells Mary that John leapt in her womb at the sound of Mary’s voice and recognized the presence of Jesus.  What happened to John when we encounter him thirty years later, dressed strangely, living in the wilderness, and filled with fiery anger?

John the Baptist brings the story of the Old Testament to its conclusion (even though he only appears in the pages of the New Testament). John speaks to the reign of sin. He is acutely aware of his own limitations.  As he contemplates an encounter with the Lord, he says, “I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.” After Christmas, we will hear the scripture where he protests baptizing Jesus for the very same reason. 

These two extraordinary and unique persons, John the Baptist and the Blessed Virgin Mary, remain with us as we continue our own Advent journey. Our journey will include a troubling encounter with the reign of sin and our need for repentance. Left alone, John the Baptist can only urge us into the wilderness to repent. The Blessed Virgin Mary beckons us to leave the reign of sin and be filled with the mercy of her son, Jesus Christ. This must be why we end the beautiful prayer for the intercession of Mary with the words: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.  Amen!”