Mary in Advent - 3

The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint John the Baptist- Leonardo da Vinci

We know from Luke's gospel that Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, were kinswomen and pregnant at the same time. This means, of course, the Jesus and John grew up at the same time - perhaps they were playmates! Several artists have taken as a subject for their painting this kinship so important in the history of our salvation. Above you see a da Vinci sketch for a painting that, unfortunately, never came to be (or was not preserved). Of course, even Leonardo's sketchbook can provide us with masterpieces. The image above shows Mary sitting on the knee of her mother, Anne, with the children, Jesus and John.

See how Anne watches her daughter, thinking the thoughts a grandmother ponders when seeing her daughter caring for her grandson. See the contentment on Mary's face, revealing a peace to which she would have recourse when witnessing the turns her son's life would take. See how the child John keeps his gaze fixed on his cousin, as he would until the time came for him to announce Jesus' coming. And see how this young Jesus raises his hand in blessing over the one who would baptize him in the Jordan.

The story of Jesus' childhood and maturation is scant in the scriptures: we have but the one incident when Jesus stayed behind in the temple while Mary and Joseph searched for him. The rest is summed up in a single verse: And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. (Luke 2:52) Artists like da Vinci help us to muse upon and imagine the life of Jesus and his family before his public ministry.

And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart... (Luke 2:19)