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13 22 Mary' s Active Faith Don J. Payne, PhD Associate Professor of Theology and Christian Formation T he writer to the Hebrews did not include Mary, Jesus' mother, in the celebrated "Faith Hall of Fame," but she definitely would have qualified. at litany of faithful figures, both daunting and inspiring, points us to those whose personal faith was anchored in God's faithfulness. Several endured the unimaginable because they trusted God. Each played a role in God's broader redemptive purposes beyond what they could have envisioned. Hebrews presents these faithful individuals—some of them heroic and some utterly ordinary—as forerunners and models for the faith of all who must trust that God's purposes and God's faithfulness are bigger than the circumstances that threaten to suffocate our lives. Sweet teenaged Mary was just such a model, even though she did not make the Hebrews list (no criticism intended). e first Advent of our Lord in the Incarnation was both fulfillment and reminder of God's promised faithfulness. In one sense, Mary's faith in God seems rather passive and perhaps unnecessary. e angel simply showed up, told her what was to happen, and she found herself pregnant without sexual union. We might not think it took much faith for her to believe that—only morning sickness and observation! So why did her cousin Elizabeth declare this blessing on her for her faith? Perhaps her faith was not so passive after all. Apparently Mary visited Elizabeth soon after the angel had visited her. She may not have started to "show" or experience any symptoms of pregnancy. It took faith for Mary to submit to what she knew would create disbelief and scandal. Yet she moved ahead, trusting that God would do as promised. Our faith focuses not only on what happened as a result of this pregnancy. Our faith can also be bolstered by the easily overlooked faith of this young virgin. Without fanfare or pretense, she trusted God with a future that was to be as strange and painful as it was redemptive and glorious. Her faith journey bears remarkable resemblance to ours, doesn't it? Who says we have nothing to learn from young teenagers? "BLESSED IS SHE WHO HAS BELIEVED THAT THE LORD WOULD FULFILL HIS PROMISES TO HER!" - LUKE 1:45 "NOW FAITH IS CONFIDENCE IN WHAT WE HOPE FOR AND ASSURANCE ABOUT WHAT WE DO NOT SEE." - HEBREWS 11:1 8 December