January 2010

Stories Seldom Heard Archive

Stories Seldom Heard

January 1, 2010

Feast of Mary, Mother of God

A Day to Pray for World Peace

Welcome to "Stories Seldom Heard".  I would especially like to welcome the women from St Gregory’s Parish, Redwood City, California.  The following article has two parts.  The first section discusses the feast of Mary, the Mother of God and the first reading for Mass.  The second part suggests, since some of you have requested, books that might help you better understand the scriptures and Jesus’ life and times.

Part I

January 1^st is the feast of Mary, the Mother of God.  Even though over the centuries Mary has been honored with a variety of titles this title was the first to be celebrated and affirmed by the Council of Ephesus in 431.  After the declaration of the Council there was a flourishing of icons that portrayed Mary, the Mother of God (Theotokos) in regal images. The Byzantine and Syrian churches began celebrating the feast of Mary, Mother of God in the 6^th Century.  They chose December 26^th to commemorate the feast. However, over the centuries this feast has been commemorated on different days. Since the Second Vatican Council, January 1^st  has become the designated date for this feast.  It is also the day that is dedicated to prayer for World Peace (1).

January 1^st, the Octave of Christmas, a day dedicated to World Peace and the feast of Mary, the Mother of God!  No wonder we view this as a Holy Day to be celebrated.  It is the first day of the civil year.  For the most part, the holiday parties and celebrations are behind us.  So the church sets before us a vision and a promise.  A vision:  God became a human person to show us what love looks like and to give us an unforgettable experience of unconditional love.  This vision will grow and deepen as we remember Jesus’ words and works throughout the year.  A promise: what God promises God fulfills.  Mary is not the only one who has said “yes” to God.  Each of us has promised to “birth” God into this world.  Like Mary, we too, place our trust in the One who finds nothing impossible.

Because centuries have passed and huge cathedrals and monasteries have been built in Mary’s honor, we sometimes put her on a pedestal.  She is to be honored for sure, but the reason we honor her is that she is a human person like us who was capable of saying “yes” to Mystery.  God offered her an invitation without much explanation.  (Not an unusual practice for God!)  From the very beginning Mary knew she was in over her head.  When she said "yes" she didn’t understand what would be required of her.  She must have been filled with a joyful sense of the mystery of life and the Spirit of God’s presence, but her "yes" also directed her life on a new path - the road of unanswered questions, confusion and suffering. 

She asks, “But how can this come about?" The ultimate answer is not very specific.  The angel responds “nothing is impossible to God” (Lk 1:36).  Much later she hears from Simeon, a temple sage, “A sword will pierce your own soul too” (Lk 2:35).  And don’t think she missed that last word “too”.  For her soul and body to be pierced was one thing, but to have that same prediction for your child would send chills down any parent’s spine.  As Jesus grew in wisdom and age the answers to her questions didn’t get any easier for Mary to understand.   After worrying for three days where Jesus had been, her twelve year old son replies, “Did you not know…” (Lk 2:40),  No wonder Dorothy Soelle calls these and later experiences that challenged Mary's faith, the crucible in which Mary's faith was forged (2).

During these times of suffering, Mary must have had many questions.  Could she live the mystery she was invited into?  Would she succumb to bitterness when she heard terrifying predictions of the future?  Would she be strong enough to mentor Jesus through his human grief to divine courage?

Mary lived the Mystery of God to the full as she birthed, raised Jesus to adulthood, stood by him at the cross and was present with the one hundred and twenty disciples in the upper room.  Her “yes” was “yes” to the end. 

Our "yes" does not look the same as Mary's, but "yes" is "yes"!  This is what we have said by our baptism, confirmation, and continue to say in our Eucharistic celebrations, private prayers, devotions and through our works of charity and justice. Our "yes" is an important "yes" if Jesus is to be birthed into our world today. Meister Eckhart, the Dominican friar of 14th century Germany says:

We are all meant to be mothers of God.  What good is it to me, if this eternal birth of the Divine Son takes place unceasingly, but does not take place within me?  And what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace and if I am not also full of grace?  What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to His/Her son if I do not also give birth to Him in my time and my culture?  This, then, is the fullness of time. When the Son of God is Begotten in us.

This sounds like a tall order to fulfill, and it is.  But, along with Mary we are not on our own to bring this mystery into being.  God promises to give us the grace, as God did for Mary, to help us live out our desire and vocation (call) to continually birth this Savior into our world in our time.  This is primarily God's work and remember “nothing is impossible to God.”

The first reading for Mass on January 1st helps us understand our calling.  The reading comes from the Book of Numbers 6:22 - 27.  The beginning of Chapter 6 gives the rules for the Nazirite: women and men who have dedicated their lives to God. Even though we do not call ourselves Nazirites, we too are dedicated to God.  For most of us that decision was made for us by our parents at our baptism.  Others of us made the decision for ourselves when we were older.  But no matter who made the initial decision, each of us has made many personal choices throughout our lives that reaffirm and continue our commitment.  There have been many big and small "yeses" in times of mystery, confusion, fear, joy and hope.  These situations have given us the opportunity to rededicate our hearts and minds to God.

Included in the first reading is Num 6: 24 -26 which is a priestly blessing.  "May God bless you and keep you!  May God's face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!  May God look kindly upon you and give you peace!"  Divinity loves us, even dotes on us like a lover, a parent or a grandparent.  God "favors" us and looks kindly on us with "graciousness."   In Hebrew, the word "gracious" signifies the total acceptance of another.  When I hear this a Christmas Eve image comes to mind.  During our family’s celebration while the eleven grandchildren were playing with each other after they had opened their presents one of my brothers sat back in his chair and just watched.  He never said a word.  He just smiled and his smile told the story. 

Graciousness and benevolence are first seen in God and because we have experienced them and God's unlimited love for us we can internalize these gifts and become a blessing to those we meet.  We have the courage and strength to love others and to forgive them because we have been loved and forgiven.    When this happens we truly feel the "peace" announced in the first reading.

The Hebrew word for peace is "shalom."  It is difficult to define it in English with one word since "shalom" is rich with meaning and filled with content and nuances.  It is an ordinary greeting, a wishing of good will, as well as a condition in which nothing is lacking.  It is a gift from Yahweh and it is Yahweh.  Gideon's altar had the title of "Yahweh-shalom" which means Yahweh is peace.  According to scripture, when someone possesses peace that person is in union with God.  The blessing we read in scripture today is a powerful prayer.  When it is fulfilled in a person's life, it will not only change that person from the inside out, but also change those with whom she/he associates. 

Today is January 1^st: a day for New Year resolutions and a day on which we pray for peace.  Peace is powerful and those who act on behalf of peace are Godlike.  But what are we willing to sacrifice for it?

Mary trusted God and believed that nothing was impossible for God.  I wonder what would happen if we placed our trust in God as Mary did.  I wonder what would happen if we intentionally prayed for peace: peace for ourselves, our families, our neighbors and our “enemies” each morning and evening.  I wonder what would happen if we prayed for all those who are victims of violence whom we hear about in the news each day.  I wonder what changes would take place within us.  No one can answer that question since no one can predict what transformation will look like in our own lives. Will we become more compassionate and better peacemakers?  Probably!  But the way we express it will reflect our unique personalities and experiences.

The one thing we do know, though, on this January 1^st is what Howard Thurman, a Baptist minister, author, theologian, and civil rights leader reminds us.

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among others, to make music in the heart.

Part II

The Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday  (Cycle C),  Author: John J. Pilch. There are 3 to 4 pages of background notes on each Sunday's reading.  They are written clearly and concisely and will help you gain important information about the times and customs of Jesus.  This information will shed light on the scripture passages. Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 56321

Gospel Light, author John Shea.  This book doesn't follow the lectionary readings, that is the Sunday readings, but it is an excellent book that you will read and reread many times.  John is a good writer.  The material is clear and enlightening.  The book can be ordered from Crossroad Publishing Company, 370 Lexington Avenue, New York   10017

Sacred Journeys: A Woman's Book of Daily Prayer, author Jan L Richardson.  As the title suggests this book has prayers for each day.  Jan combines poetry, prose, traditional and modern readings.  It is inspirational and informative.  It follows the liturgical seasons in a creative fashion.  It is published by The Upper Room, 1908 Grand Avenue, Post Office box 189, Nashville, Tennessee  37202-0189.

Reid, Barbara, Choosing the Better Part?  Women in the Gospel of Luke,

1.  January 1^st 1968, Pope Paul VI dedicated this day “The Day of Peace.”  Since then other popes have followed his lead.  This year Pope Benedict XVI has entitled his January 1^st letter: “If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation.”  It can be found on the web.

2.  Dorothy Soelle is an author and theologian.

Special thanks to Mary Ellen Green, Maria Hetherton and Jeannie Keating  who have helped edit this article.

"Stories Seldom Heard" is a monthly article written by Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P. who is a Dominican Sister of San Rafael, California.  This service is offered to the Christian community to enrich the personal and spiritual life of its members.  The articles can be used for individual or group reflection.  If you would like "Stories Seldom Heard" sent to a friend, please send a note to "purple115@juno.com".   If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, c/o Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P., 638   36^th Street, Richmond, CA  94805.

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