Thursday, September 8, 2022
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Mary, Margaret and all mothers
Brothers and sisters, we know that all things work for good for those who love God, and are called according to his purpose.
And Mary, from her nativity … was called. How blessed we are today that she said YES so many yesterdays ago.
Here is how Mark Helprin described another queen, a human queen in Veil of the Snows:
The queen’s loveliness of soul, directness, her grace and high qualities washed over me with such delightfulness, shock, and strength that I was awakened and renewed. She was only eighteen or twenty, and her long hair, which in her youth had been golden, had in its dark chestnut color no hint whatsoever of brittleness or fatigue. Her face had no sign of flagging energy, self-indulgence, or defeat, as do the faces, if you look closely, of even many twenty-year-olds.
Hers was the kind of beauty that does not proclaim, Â but listens. Hers was the beauty of gentleness and trust, of devotion. This was our queen, whom I loved the moment I looked upon her, for whom I would sacrifice, for whom I would die, and whom I would obey. (p. 20-21)
God prepared the world, and then he prepared Mary:
Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob … Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon.
Many generations followed before, during and after the Babylonian Captivity. And then:
Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of MARY.
Mary was born, Mary grew up, Mary heard from Gabriel that God favored her. And soon she was found “with child through the Holy Spirit.” Joseph resolved to divorce her quietly, but God told him in a dream to take her as his wife. Joseph listened and obeyed.
Of Mary was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Last night Margaret prayed for Chris, whose birth was delayed a week or more because of misunderstandings with our obstetrician. He weighed 9 lbs 9 oz and seemed no worse for wear because of that extra week.
She prayed for Marc, who was born QUICKLY by a C-section because the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. Everything happened so fast! And he was fine, although he both loved and hated physical touch for a few years (until he decided on loving it). He didn’t have to push and pull and squeeze his way out of her womb on his own. And of all our kids, he would have very much enjoyed doing that, I think.
This week he will have surgery and begin recovery from a badly torn left hamstring. Our family and his friends are rallying around him, amidst all the pain and changes in his daily life forced on him by this accident.
And Margaret prayed for Andi, who was born easily and naturally on a Sunday afternoon in April, delivered by Margaret’s favorite doctor, then soon swept off her feet (so to speak) by two adoring brothers. She prayed in gratitude of Andi’s triumphed ov the natal (?) hypotonia that slowed her development at first, a triumph to the point that she was the one on the honor roll, she was the one on the dean’s list year after year, and she became the art teacher loved by all.
How much joy for Margaret, to be a mother, to follow in Mary’s footsteps, to be blessed when you rise and when you sleep, to be loved? How much joy for every mother?
Still, Mary is one of a kind, and whether or not you’re a Catholic, loving Mary is part of loving Jesus.
I trusted in your mercy, let my heart rejoice in your salvation. With delight I rejoice in the Lord. Let me sing of the Lord, “He has been good to me.” With delight I rejoice in the Lord.
I don’t know the origin of this blessing, but it’s in today’s lectionary as the “Alleluia” before the Gospel:
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of Justice, Christ our God.
(Micah 5, Psalm 13, Matthew 1)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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