One of the classes I was privileged to take in grad school was Mariology. It was a great gift to learn more about our beloved Blessed Mother, and on this day in the Church calendar we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. Apropos for Christmas time, because after all, Mary’s total abandonment to the will of God and total gift of self to Him made her the instrument that the Creator used to bring Jesus to us.
She held Him in her womb for 9 months-felt His little feet tickle her on the inside, felt His first hiccoughs in utero, listened for His first gulp of air and waited with bated breath (so I imagine) for the subsequent cry for her to take Him back to herself so He could hear the voice He knew from the womb.
She is the mother of God. Jesus made being human beautiful. The Blessed Mother likewise brought, through Christ, an exquisite honor to all women. We have the perfect model for womanhood, motherhood, and any other role we have in this life-we have our Mother that showed us how to love Jesus perfectly. To imitate Him in everything through the joys of life and the suffering. She kept her eyes fixed on Jesus and so she was always free. Our freedom and happiness are only found in Christ. I hope you are filled with the joy in this gift of Jesus giving us the honor of calling His mother our mother.
If you saw the movie The Passion of the Christ, then you may have been struck as I was by the moment when Jesus looked at Mary and said:
“Behold, I make all things new” (Revelations 21:5)
That is not in the Gospel Passion stories, it is found in the book of Revelations. But, it seems quite appropriate that they wrote it in during that moment of intense suffering in His Passion. It brought it home to me that He came to make all things new. He suffered to make all things new. To change death into life. It is a new year, and I am counting on Him to make all things new.
He, after all, is a Man of His Word. And the Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among us.
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me—and I will change your lot” Jeremiah 29:11-12
Happiest of Solemnities and new years to you and you and you.
I hope it's filled with roses!
I leave you with what is considered the earliest known Marian prayer--in Greek as well as English, no less. I found this gem in my old professors’ notes:
the “Sub Tuum”
TὙπο τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν
καταφεύγομεν, Θεοτόκε.
Τὰς ἡμῶν ἱκεσίας
μὴ παρίδῃς ἐν περιστάσει,
ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ κινδύνου ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς,
μόνη Ἁγνή, μόνη εὐλογημένη.
In English translation:
“Under your patronage
we take refuge, O Mother of God.
Our petitions
do not disregard in necessity,
but deliver us from dangers,
[you] alone pure, alone blessed.”
"'Welcome, New Year,' said Captain Jim, bowing low as the last stroke died away. 'I wish you all the best years of your lives, mates. I reckon that whatever the New Year brings us will be the best the Great Captain has for us-and somehow or other we'll all make port in good harbour.'"
couldn't have said it better myself.
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