Sing of Mary, first disciple, full of grace beloved of God.
Sing of her courage and compassion as she defends the forgotten ones.
Blessed is she among all people; blessed is she, friend of the poor.
Sing of Mary, God’s reflection, witness of mercy and God’s truth.
Those are new words to a familiar melody that many of us know so well. I like the newness of it. For it reminds us that she is the first one to follow God, through Jesus. She did what her son would do and ask of the disciples . . . to give up her life for the sake of God’s plan. She was also the first one to hear the voice of Jesus . . . even if it was a baby’s cry.
And you have to remember that the event wasn’t with all the fancy. No hullabaloo with many lights and decorations, but a simple setting. Much like I imagine the scene in the gospel with Mary and Elizabeth, two improbably women to have babies . . . one is elderly, the other is a virgin. I image that they hug, and cry, and laugh, and perhaps share a cup of tea.
Sing of Mary, all creation, earth and water, sea and sky.
Let all the church, through the incarnation, join with Mary in this time.
All are created in God’s image, all life is sacred, flowing from love.
Mary extends God’s invitation: all are welcome; all belong.
In the second reading, the writer says that Christ has come to do God’s will.
Mary said yes to God in having the son of God be born in her. I think that we all want to do God’s will. But how do we know if we are doing God’s will?
Spiritual writer, Fr. Thomas Merton once wrote a prayer called A Prayer of Unknowing.
Here are snippets of it:. My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Doesn’t that sound familiar? I don’t know if any of us knows where we are going. I doubt that Mary did, but she was open to trust God.
the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. It means that we don’t really know if we are doing God’s will but the mere fact that we WANT to do what God wills . . . pleases God.
So as you have heard me say before . . . with “that issue” you have going on in your life right now. Don’t pray for a specific result. Don’t pray, “God I need this to happen exactly with this outcome.” If you do, I can tell you right now . . . you will be disappointed. Instead of praying, “God, this is what I want,” instead prayer “God what do you want for me?” And that openness will get you closer to what Mary models for us. And you will feel more in the flow of God’s grace moving in your life.
Merton continues . . .You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
And when we have that insight for ourselves . . . it becomes easier to see the good in all of God’s creation. In others. That’s why we continue to welcome all. And know that here . . all belong.
All are created in God’s image, all life is sacred, flowing from love.
Mary extends God’s invitation: all are welcome; all belong.