The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - A mother who comes home

 

Luke 1: 39-56

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081526-Day

(Bartolome Esteban Murillo, circa 1860)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

Taking a picture of a vast space with mountains or the Ocean or even standingbefore a large structure of some kind may be impressive but having a person stand in front of that scene even more gives perspective and depth to the main image.  The sheer vastness of the picture comes through by comparison of size. That mountain is enormous or the Ocean scene was impressive by comparison of size.  A small human being standing before something so immense makes an unforgettable impression. This weekend we celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed virgin Mary.

We might say that God is the immense image and standing before him was a simple Jewish woman.  The immense God chose the small and simple to bring about our salvation. Because of that, Mary can rightly say as we hear in the Gospel this weekend: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; . . . for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant . . . the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.”

Mary has become the immense figure because of God’s great work in and through her.  So today we remember the logical outcome at the completion of her life on earth and her eternal reward in heaven. And so, we hear: “The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heaven."

With that one sentence, on November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII declared this infallible teaching of the Church that has since become part of the absolute truth of the Christian faith. However, this is not a new teaching only stated in 1950. It has been part of Christian belief reaching back to the time of the early Christians.

While the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition of Mary is present in Jerusalem, it does not claim to contain the body of the Blessed Mother. So, no tomb of Mary has ever been noted.  No pilgrimage to Marys gravesite has ever been organized or claimed. No relic of the Blessed Mother has ever existed or piece of her clothing or hair or such.  It was apparently a general and unquestioned belief in the Church for centuries but with Pius XII declaration it became a public and declared infallible dogma.

The rich deposit of faith in the Catholic Church is loaded with mystery and grace. What we believe is not there to restrict us or burden us but to enrich our lives as we journey as Mary did on this earth. To set us free to know, love and serve God more freely each day.

Among those beliefs, Dogmas of the Church, is the infallible definition on what happened to Mary after here earthly life was complete.  She was taken up to Heaven, body and soul, to remain there in glory and to intercede for humankind.

This was Mary’s reward for her obedience and absolute trust in the will of God for her life. She had played a significant role in the whole salvation event which Jesus had brought about for humanity and so was rewarded, by the singular grace of God, to be the first among humanity, to experience the fruits of the resurrection of Jesus. 

In other words, as Mary is now, united for all eternity in her body and soul, glorified beyond corruption and filled with grace, we hope to share in her glory at the end of time and after the final judgement and general resurrection by Christ. As Mary is now, we hope to become.  As the Opening prayer of the Mass for the Assumption states: . . . always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory. . .

While all of this is profoundly true, and may seem a bit heavy, the ultimate vocation of Mary is rooted in the common role of a mother. 

Did Mary have hopes of being wed, having children and experiencing a full Jewish home for her life?  Of course, she must have. She was planning a wedding when her life was interrupted by an angelic visitor and such was shared with her betrothed soon to be husband, Joseph. Mary wanted to be a mother and she was open to that possibility

The Angel Gabriel was sent by God to announce that she would be the human mother of the divine Son of God who would embrace humanity within her womb; a God/Man would be born of her; fully divine and fully human. A son of mystery but also a son of common humanity: God from God and light from light.

Marys “yes” was to be a mother unlike any mother but a human mother whose child was conceived strangely but with a natural human gestation period as the child developed through all of the normal human stages and then was born from her in the common human manner.  Did you ever wonder how much the baby Jesus weighed at birth?

Marys call to be one who would protect, would nurture, educate, discipline (if Jesus needed any?) love her husband and support him, wash dishes, prepare meals, enjoy the ordinary events of childhood and beyond with her son, engage in activities and conversation with local neighbors and celebrate Jewish customs, traditions, and stages of passage while reflecting on events in her life that puzzled her or made her wonder what God was up to.  Yet deeply Jewish along with her husband Joseph -righteous Jews who followed the law and awaited the Messiah.  Only later must she have come to the understanding that her role was far more than practical or biological only.

Like any parent, she shared anxiety and sorrow.  With her husband Joseph they were distraught at the seeming loss of Jesus when he could not be found for three days until they discovered him in the Jerusalem Temple.  There were certainly many joys and worries that she experienced along the way that are not in the Scriptures because of their common and ordinary expressions. 

Then her ultimate grief by the cross of her son when she was asked to share in her own passion and suffering as her son was brutally murdered in a public manner.  A “sword pierced her heart” as was predicted by Simeon when Jesus was presented in his infancy at the Temple.  

But now, on this feast of the Assumption, we see how God was preparing her to come home. Home where we are all destined.

Her whole orientation was to do whatever God asked of her: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38) she said to the angel and never stopped saying this her entire life. 

So, at the end her earthly life, because of her surrender to God’s will and her unique role in salvation history, she was taken up to heaven body and soul for eternity. 

A mother? Yes totally.  A model for all Christians? Very much. A unique and one-of-a-kind mother?  Absolutely. Now our spiritual mother who watches over all those who follow her son who constantly intercedes for humanity.  She is home not to rest or make chocolate chip cookies or to retire but to continue the work of her Son’s compassion, love and hope that one day we too will join her at our final home; heaven itself. 

Almighty, ever-living God,

who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary,

the Mother of your Son, 

body and soul into heavenly glory, grant

tht, always attentive to the things that are above,

we may merit to be sharers of her glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, 

your Son, who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

(Collect of Mass)

 

19th Sunday: Who's in your boat?

 

Credit: Culture Club/Contributor/Getty images

"Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid"

Matthew 14: 22-28

The Sunday Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080926.cfm

Almighty ever-living God,

whom, taught by the Holy Spirit, we dare to call our Father,

bring, we pray, to perfection in our hearts

the spirit of adoption as your sons and daughters,

that we may merit to enter into the inheritance

which you have promised.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the 

unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. 

(Sunday Collect)

This Sunday, our readings seem to be a combination of both turmoil and peace; kind of like our lives at times. On the one hand, we see the prophet Elijah standing on the mountain, hiding from those who have threatened his life, listening for God during violent natural forces:  strong and heavy rock crushing wind, an earthquake, a roaring fire – but God is not in any of those.  He whispers in Elijah’s ear a soft sound and the prophet covers his face in reverence. The message is that God is not always where you would expect to find him nor does he prefer to be a frightening force. Wherever there is fear, God is there.  

On the other hand, Peter and the disciples are caught in a fishing boat, a familiar place for most of them, amid a violent storm, terrified for their lives. They did not go out to fish but rather followed the urging of Jesus to get in the boat after the multiplication of the loaves event and head out to sea. 

Jesus dismissed the crowd, sent the disciples off in the boat to the other side of the lake, then went off to pray without them. Obviously, he wanted to be alone in prayer for some time, but more was on his mind as well.

A sudden storm on the sea of Galilee was not all that unusual but coming on in the middle of an especially dark night, it was an unsettling experience for these men who always felt vulnerable if Jesus was not present. Although they well knew the waters of Galilee it likely seemed odd that Jesus would not accompany them and had dismissed them so insistently. Now they feared for their lives.

In the darkness of the night, around 3 a.m., their fears were confirmed as wind and wave began to push back and Jesus came walking silently and calmly on the turbulent waters toward them!  From a distance, he created a ghostly appearance that would have frightened anyone.

They were understandably worried at the vision they saw on the water. It must be a spirit! Sailors in this time tended to be somewhat superstitious. Then Jesus calls out to the distraught disciples: “Take courage, it is I . . . “

Once identified, Peter boldly requests to defy the force of nature and walk on the water as well. 

Jesus simply invites him to leave the boat with one word: "Come.”  With all good intention despite Peter’s short lived then failed attempt, Jesus finally joins his terrified group in the boat as the wind and sea turn calm.  “It is I, do not be afraid,” he reassures them. Having grown up in the mid-west we were very familiar with summertime thunderstorms and tornados that would bring you to run for cover.  Yet, a safe and secure basement is more reassuring than a fishing boat on the open sea.

It strikes me these are powerful images which test both our faith and our preconceptions of God.  I think the real miracle here from our perspective is not so much that Jesus walked on the rolling waves.  We know who he is and what he can do as God by simply willing it. He walks on water in the open sea defying gravity, a law he himself created.

The real astonishing miracle is Peter’s bold request, as weak as it was. The ever sincere but impulsive Peter cries out to Jesus, as we at times cry out to God for relief from our suffering or complaining.  While the boat symbolizes the Church and the future turbulent times it will experience, Peter is a sign of all of us.

Today the powers of nature are not particularly mysterious anymore as scientists can determine what, when and how many things will happen. But the "why" question is not answered by science.  We can see certain conditions that bring an expected result, but why God permits such things may be answered only by faith which gives deeper meaning and purpose to our lives. What does this mean for us?

I feel we live now in a culture of fear, but we're called to be a people of faith. The state of fear and division of our day, which seems to be increasingly threatening to peace, we still hear the call of Jesus to “come” and to keep our eyes on him.

So, while it seems from our first reading, that Elijah and the Gospel scene of frightened disciples in the boat were helpless victims of natural forces, these stories hold a deeper reminder for us. Wind and fire, waves tossing into boats as the fishermen try to bail out the water before they sink is not really the main point of the story.  Turbulence, yes, but how do we respond in those rough time?  Do we give in to fear and hopelessness? Are we angry at God as to why he would allow such a thing in our lives? Do we take our eyes, mind and heart off the One who can calm the seas as he invites us to walk above the waves and to trust that with him, all will ultimately be well?

The tiny whispering sound in Elijah’s ear and Jesus’ own calm and silent unexpected display of divine power over his own creation is the key. That Peter walked on water toward Jesus, even for a short time, shows what faith can produce in us when we trust in the Lord's promise, "come." Can you imagine what the reaction of the disciples would have been if Peter had made it all the way and never sank? Peter at least understood the power that Jesus had and with a great act of love and trust, began to walk.  And, later continued to walk mightily in his ways.  Is God just a ghostly apparition for us or do we truly see and hear him in our lives now?

Is it too much to expect that our Lord really is with us in moments that we may find especially trying: the sudden loss of a loved one; the separation of divorce, bad news from the doctor, the loss of a job for no clear reason, a son or daughter who decides to leave the Church all together, a desperately alcoholic husband or wife who simply lives in constant denial while the innocent suffer in the family.

We don’t ever have to apologize for being Catholic and for following the teachings of our faith no matter how unpopular they may be.  We can attend Mass despite even our neighbors or family who may consider us excessively religious.  We can see not just the sins of the Church, but the heroic virtues and good works done in the name of the Gospel.

We can walk on all kinds of water, even now, if we only trust and pray even when we doubt.  “Keep your eyes on me,” Jesus calls. It’s not too much to ask.  “Come” Jesus says – “Follow me.” Not fear but faith.

 

 

18th Sunday - Jesus was filled with compassion

 

"His heart was moved with pity for them"

Matthew 14: 13-21

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080226.cfm

The Link below will take you to a wonderful 

homily reflection for this Sunday by Fr. Ron Hoye, C.M.

Fr. Ron is a Vincentian priest and a parish mission evangelist out of St. Louis.

I apologize that I was not able to prepare a Sunday reflection for you 

this weekend but Fr. Ron will provide that and more.  God's peace

and let us stay united in prayer. 

Fr. Ron Hoye:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK0sxdwoEvI  

Collect for Sunday:

Draw near to your servants, O Lord, 

and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness,

that, for those who glory in you as

their Creator and guide, you may restore with you have created

and keep safe what you have restored.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

God for ever and ever.

Amen

17th Sunday: Keep the main thing, the main thing

 

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure buried in a field . . . "

Gospel - Matthew 13: 44 - 52

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072626.cfm

O God, protector of those who hope in you,

without whom nothing has firm

foundation, nothing is holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us

and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide,

we may use the good things tht pass

in such a way as to hold fast even now

to those that ever endure.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in

the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

(Collect of Mass)

Steven Covey, well known businessman and educator, wrote a very popular book in the 1980’s that sold millions of copies.  It was entitled: The 7 Habits of highly effective people in which he listed seven traits of successful entrepreneurs whose work had a major impact on society. There he stated: “The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing.”

While that may sound like a bit of sleight of hand, it is really very true.  However, what is the “main thing?” Knowing what that is and making it the very center of our lives in everything we do and to allow this to become the treasure we see as precious, will indeed lead to a meaningful and joyful life – if it is the right thing.

While our world presents wealth, prosperity, youthful energy, comfort and advantage as a great treasure to pursue, as the main thing, Jesus has presented for the last three Sundays in our Gospels, even greater and lasting treasures – the “main thing" of life - that will be more valuable than anything the world may present is, the kingdom of heaven. The values, morals, teachings, priorities of God's kingdom and not our own.

. . . like a merchant in search of fine pearls

Our Lord does so in a series of seven parables we have heard and this Sunday he concludes this teaching with the last three images of what the kingdom of heaven is like: a treasure buried in a field, a pearl of great price, and a net thrown into the sea. Our parable gems from the past two weeks have also proposed similar natural images of a sower and seed and various types of soil the seed falls on, of wheat and weeds planted side by side, of tiny mustard seeds which grow to be a large bush, and yeast in dough that expands of its own mysterious power.  It certainly serves the purpose to ponder the purpose beyond these agricultural images to dig and find the meaning within them. What is it about the kingdom of heaven that makes it so valuable and worth becoming single minded in our pursuit of it?

St. Irenaeus, a second century theologian, explained that the hidden treasure in the field, the pearl of great price only reveals the hidden presence of God among us in the person of Christ himself.  God came to visit this earth, his own creation, now corrupted by sin and the force of evil, to rescue us and set us free. Once we discover who Jesus is and what he has done for us, nothing else will matter considering him.  He becomes the Lord of our life, the “main thing” that we center upon and everything else falls into place.  Is Jesus for you a hidden treasure that you have not yet discovered?  Is he liking a precious gem that is priceless and that you would hold on to tenaciously?

In our first reading from the Book of Kings, we hear of a great treasure that young Solomon, the son of King David, who is now the new King of Israel prays for.  As royalty, even in those ancient times, we could imagine that he longed for a beautiful palace or the finest foods or robes to wear.  But wise King Solomon prays for “an understanding heart . . . to distinguish right from wrong” to govern his people wisely.  In other words, Solomon prays for divine guidance on all his decisions and responsibilities: for prudence and wisdom above all else.  An amazing prayer, when you consider the context and the person who prays.  A heartfelt prayer certainly grounded in the main thing that only God can give.  Position, wealth, power have no place in such a desire.

God praises Solomon for asking for a true treasure and grants Solomon a “. . . heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you . . . and after . . . no one will equal you.”  God grants Solomon more than what he asked for and delights in this young King’s unselfishness. We might say that Solomon prayed that he would treasure what God considered of great value. To desire wisdom is to discern right from wrong and to govern well. Solomon wisely goes to the source of all wisdom itself, and history tells us that his rule was indeed peaceful and prosperous for the ancient nation. Solomon reigned over an age referred to as Israel's "golden age." A time of prosperity and building but spiritual decline by the end of his almost 40 year reign. 

All this seems to imply that what Solomon saw and what Jesus has been speaking about in these parables, is to know the true value of what God is offering us and to pursue that with all our heart. He wants to be the main thing in our lives. Here we remind ourselves to: keep the main thing (in our lives) the main thing.”

If the Vatican, for example, tried to sell the stunning masterpiece of Michelangelo – the Pieta- how much would it be worth?  Ten million?  Twenty?  One billion dollars?  You could not put a price on this one-of-a-kind treasure.  No matter what it would be sold for, someone would offer more.  It is an artistic masterpiece of astronomical value – priceless.  Its genius and stunning beauty reflect the rich values of the Spirit. But the kingdom of heaven is greater and promises more – fulfilment and eternal life.

Being in right relationship with God, to fit into our lives all that is in keeping with the treasure he reveals, is priceless.  His Gospel, Jesus’ word, is that priceless masterpiece for he is both present and speaks through it. To live by Gospel values, to create on earth what God loves in Heaven is to live in the kingdom of heaven until it is fulfilled in eternity. As we pray: “. . . your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” You can take that to the bank!

". . . like a net thrown into the sea"

It is clear these parables like the others about mustard seeds, yeast in bread, and various kinds of soil which may or may not produce life, are not about agriculture or estimating the value of fine jewels.  Rather they are about the priceless worth of being in right relationship with God. In him we find that treasure, and place in that circle all things that are in line to fit there. It is about discovering Christ in his Church and to be open to life-giving grace through the sacraments. We propose the same for all we meet.

What makes these parables so timely is that our secular culture sees no real value in this faith perspective.  Our increased secular and God-less culture believes there is generally no objective truth and assumes that all is subjective depending on individual opinions and circumstances.  So, we find our own wants and desires as the moral guide of our lives. I alone become the moral guide for my choices.  Science will ultimately answer all that we wonder about so why do we need a God? The whole question of the very nature of men and women and thinking we can willfully manipulate what God has created to fit our personal ideology is not of God but of another spirit of narcissistic pride.

God seeks to fill the emptiness in our lives and when we find him, our greatest treasure has been discovered.  St. Augustine knew this very well when he famously wrote his book the Confessions. There he recognized what has become one of his most quoted statements. Augustine wrote as if in prayer: “Late have I loved you, for you yourself have made us and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” In short St. Augustine discovered the main thing that was hidden from his eyes by his own arrogance and search for God in all the wrong places.

The gift of the Holy Eucharist, Christ himself among us, is beyond value and when received calls us to his kingdom riches. Is the main thing the main thing for you?