Friday, December 8, 2023
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Mary and the angel
There are rumblings in the spirit world. Heaven’s gates are open wide.
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
I read a scathing article today about the bishop in Ft. Worth, a guy with credentials, named Olson. The article describes him as someone who has little regard for women, especially nuns, and who doubles down whenever he is challenged and heads for the phone to tell the newspapers what he thinks. Sound familiar?
I wish I hadn’t read this article, which really ticked me off, on a religious holiday which celebrates Mary. There are many days that we celebrate Mary, but I think never enough. Or actually maybe I’m glad I read it; the carelessness Bishop Olson seems to exhibit makes me want to double down too, the other way. Three cheers for nuns! Three cheers for Mary, the mother of Jesus! Three cheers for women everywhere, who often (usually?) humble themselves while they do the work of three men.
Think of Mary. Doing her life in Nazareth, no hurry. Siesta in the warm afternoon after a hard morning, praying her afternoon prayers, dozing but then awakened suddenly when an angel surprises her in her room. Hail Mary, full of grace.
Mary was greatly troubled, but the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” You shall conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
Mary had a beau, Joseph, but they have not shared a marriage bed. Or any other kind of bed.
How can this be, since I have had no relations with a man?
Don’t worry, Mary, God’s got this. This is his son. He chooses you because of your humility and your strength. The next nine months will be difficult. Most of your neighbors will think badly of you. Go and see your relative Elizabeth. She is already six months pregnant, even in her old age.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.
Could a man have said those last ten words? Some men could, of course. But being in charge too much and too long, without much accountability, makes it hard to be humble. Just ask Bishop Olson.
In him we were chosen so that we might exist for the praise of his glory.
Mary figured this out. “May it be done to me.” Ever after she models for us exactly the person Paul is talking about. I am glad to lift her up today as heroine and maiden, theotokos, humble in her faith, exalted in “the praise of his glory.”
(Genesis 3, Psalm 98, Ephesians 1, Luke 1)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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