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Before I Forget…
Over the centuries, the Christian Community has honored Mary, Mother of God. Devotion to Mary has been part of our tradition as Roman Catholics. Great cathedrals, like Notre Dame in Paris, have been built in her honor. Great paintings, and other works of art, have Mary as their subject. The humble Virgin from Nazareth has captured the minds and hearts of all types of people. Saints have written about her and sinners pray to her…"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death." Not a day goes by in my own life that I don't ask the Mother of God to help me and to intercede for me before the Throne of God. I pray to her that I may be a good pastor; I pray to her that I will be faithful to the gospel of her Son, Jesus Christ.
Who is this humble woman that is so important to Catholic Christians? As part of our "100 Years" as a parish, next weekend we will focus on Mary, often referred to as the first disciple of her Son. It will be "Mother's Day" weekend when we remember that Mary is both the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of the Church. The role of Mary, in our spiritual lives, is always about pointing us to her Son.
A very good friend of mine for over 30+ years, Sister of Notre Dame Brendon Zajac will speak at all our Masses, and give a special presentation about Mary on Monday evening, May 12, at 7 pm in St. Joseph's Hall, entitled, "Love Beyond All Telling" . This talk will be followed by night prayer and hospitality. I really want to encourage you and yours to attend. Sister Brendon will help us to understand and love the Mother of Jesus more and more. I promise you that you will not be disappointed.
Mary was a woman of faith, just as we are people of faith. It was in the space created by her faith, and not simply in her womb, that the Word (the Son of God) became flesh. In the past it was common to emphasize the ways in which Mary was set apart from and above all other women (and men) and the ordinary conditions of humanity. In our times there is a new emphasis on her status as woman of the people and her solidarity with all humanity. Yes, God chose Mary to be an important part of the divine mystery of redemption. But the woman God chose was also a poor Jewish maiden. She was rooted in the faith and struggles of her people, subject to all the hurts that any human being might have to face, and a woman who hoped for God's deliverance and salvation. She was a woman of exceptional faith. And, in our times, we need a model of faith like Mary.
As you pray before our new icon of the crucified Lord, you see Mary standing there with John. What a dark moment for her. What is God's mysterious plan for her Son, for her, for the disciple, John? As we face uncertainty, confusion, pain sorrow and hurt, what can we learn from the great woman of faith?
Good Friday was a painful day for Mary. She kept faith in God. All of us have, and will have plenty of Good Fridays. How can we keep faith? Let's look to Mary in 2003.
Join me next Monday evening for a wonderful presentation of Mary, the great disciple, the great woman of faith.
Bring a friend!
Fr. Bill
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