In the current age of the Social Influencers, visibility is currency, success is measured in terms of followers, and influence is quantified by likes. Worth is often mistaken for reach. From TikTok and YouTube to Facebook and Instagram, modern culture trains us to ask the question: Am I being seen?
Against this backdrop stands Mary, the Mother of God. As I reflect upon Our Lady this Christmas season, I notice that she does not brand herself. She does not curate an image. We don’t even have records of her speaking very often. And yet, no human person – apart from Christ Himself – has shaped the world more profoundly.
Influencer culture isn’t just about social media. It’s a worldview. It’s the “gospel of self.” It teaches us:
- To build platforms rather than character
- To craft narratives rather than tell the truth
- To seek affirmation rather than holiness
It’s why we see everyone in our culture constantly checking our social media, and that of others. We are preoccupied with self and continually comparing our platform to those of others. It becomes all too easy to be blind to the miracles and opportunities God lays before us because we’re only looking at ourselves. It’s one of the biggest dangers to the portable / mobile devices that permeate our lives.
Even within Christian spaces, the temptation is real. Ministries and apostolates can become brands. Evangelization can quietly shift from proclaiming Christ to growing an audience. It’s something I consider every day with this apostolate. On one hand, I work to expand my reach. But I have to consider, prayerfully, just how I choose to operate in this online environment.
You see, the danger isn’t influence itself (Christianity has always been evangelical in nature). The danger is narcositic self-centered influence, where visibility replaces obedience and platform replaces surrender.
Mary and Her Countercultural “Yes”
Mary’s life unfolds in almost complete hiddenness. The Annunciation of Christ, one of the great Mysteries of our faith, happens in near obscurity. No audience, no applause, no understanding crowd. Only a quiet fiat from Our Lady:
“Let it be done to me according to your word.”
This is not passivity on the part of Mary. It is radical trust in the will of God.
Mary does not ask how this will affect her reputation. She does not negotiate the terms. She does not build a following around her calling. She simply receives a mission from the angel Gabriel that will cost her everything and she consents without control.
In today’s culture, obsessed with self-expression, we see Mary as countercultural, exhibiting selfless surrender.
Surrender and humility are often misunderstood in our society. These traits are viewed by many as the traits of a failure. Humility, in particular, is sometimes misunderstood as thinking ones own self to be unworthy. Mary, however, shows us that true humility is seeing oneself truthfully before God.
Mary recognizes her lowliness and rejoices – not because she is insignificant, but because God acts powerfully through those who do not grasp at greatness. Influencer culture says, “Make yourself visible so you can matter.” Mary says, “Make space for God, and He will act perfectly.” One seeks control. The other receives grace.
Mary confronts modern believers with uncomfortable questions:
- Am I trying to be faithful or admired?
- Do I seek fruit, or recognition?
- Would I still obey if no one noticed?
Mary had no platform, yet she bore Christ to the world. We have platforms – and often struggle to bear Him faithfully.
The lesson is not to reject influence, but to purify its purpose. True Christian influence flows from holiness, not strategy.
Mary does not point to herself. Her final recorded words in Scripture say it all: “Do whatever He tells you.” That is her entire mission: to point to Christ.
In an age of self-promotion, Mary offers a different path. She reminds us that Christianity is not about being seen—it’s about becoming transparent so that others see Christ in us, and meet Christ through us. Christian Influencers can and should certainly adopt this practice.
Influencer culture promises significance through visibility. Mary reveals significance through surrender. Her life is a quiet revolution against pride, noise, and self-assertion. And that is precisely why she still speaks, centuries later, into a culture that cannot stop talking about itself.
In a world obsessed with influence, Mary teaches us how to become available as she demonstrates true humility.
And availability to God, in true humility, is what influences the world for Christ.