Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
To accompany others is an important practice as a disciple of Christ. Today’s gospel reading is an excerpt from the visitation. Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship illustrate how we are called to accompany others in our daily lives. When we listen with an open heart, speak with kindness and compassion, and commit in love to another, we become the presence of Christ for that person.
When you follow Mary from the annunciation to the visitation with Elizabeth, she brings to life how best to accompany another. First of all, Mary listens- she listens to the Gabriel as he relays news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Mary also listens to Elizabeth as she exclaims her joy and encouragement upon greeting Mary. Mary responds with her own greeting and words of affirmation. Mary not only listens and shares words of her own personal story, but she commits to staying with Elizabeth during her pregnancy to give her tangible assistance as she awaits the birth of John. The giving and receiving in this relationship bring a deep joy- even the infant “leaps” in Elizabeth’s womb. The difficulties of being an unwed mother and an older mother are not erased, but standing together they embolden and bless one another through their presence in this relationship.
When I hear the word accompaniment, I often think of how it is used as it describes a person playing an instrument (e.g. piano or guitar) with a vocalist. Some of the same qualities revealed in Mary’s experiences are present in this musical analogy. When performing together, the person who accompanies the singer must listen carefully to the vocalist to be sure that they are in sync. The vocalist listens carefully to the person accompanying him/ her for the rhythm and movement of the piece. Both vocalist and musician share their part, and when the two of them listen and follow well, the combination of the voice and instrument create a piece that is greater and more beautiful than the 2 parts alone.
Pope Francis speaks about the “The Art of Accompaniment” in his Apostolic Exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium.” He describes how we must “remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other.” He also says that to accompany others requires “prudence, understanding, patience and docility of Spirit.” For this “art of accompaniment” to be effective “the pace must be steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life. “
How are we called to practice the “art of accompaniment”? Like Mary, we are called to listen. Where are we being called to accompany someone around us? When we visit with that person, how do we listen? Pope Francis says “listening is more than simply hearing. Listening, in communication, is an openness of heart.” Do we listen with patience and understanding? Do we share our thoughts and actions with compassion to bring healing and encouragement? Do we make a commitment to “the sacred ground of the other” and walk with them through both the good times and the challenges?
Accompanying another person requires dependence on God’s grace. When we allow God’s presence to be our guide, our wisdom, our voice, and our heart, then we can become Christ to the other person. Just like Mary brings Christ into the world and shares Him with others, we are called to do the same. May our hearts leap with joy as we share and receive Christ from one another when we practice the “art of accompaniment!”
- Marylynn Herchline