MARY – JUST A
GLIMPSE
September 6,
2013
Through the pages
of the gospels we get little glimpses of Mary. An event or two here, a crisis there, her presence added as a
sort of footnote elsewhere. Much is left to our imagination as to her character, her story and her place in the
life of the Church.
Her story has been
overlaid with the piety of centuries. Much of this piety lives on in various forms and some of it finds its way
into the Church’s Liturgy by way of the many Feast Days which honour
Mary.
As we celebrate
our Parish Feast today let’s visit Mary for a little chat, a cuppa and a moment’s
reflection.
PREGNANT – ME? AT
MY AGE?
Whatever the
circumstances of Mary’s life at the time, we know she became pregnant, that God through the Holy Spirit played a
defining role in the event, and that Joseph was probably very surprised.
We also know that
Mary took the news with some questions in her heart, with some doubts and with some awareness of what this news
would mean for her socially.
We also know that
she said “yes” without any strings attached.
We can often be
faced with situations that put us on the outer with family, work colleagues, church or society, and which we
know are situations to which we must respond. We pray for the same intelligent, questioning acceptance that
marked Mary at this point in her life.
OFF TO
EGYPT
The world in which
Joseph and Mary lived was every bit as dangerous as the world in our time. Like millions of people today, Mary
and Joseph were displaced people for a time, fleeing from danger and without a home to call their own. They
travelled bravely and perhaps in isolation at times.
When I’m lost
where do I turn? Who gives me direction and tends my aching heart?
When I see others
lost, seeking refuge, do I use the law as an excuse not to respond to them or can I see beyond the law to the
heart that cries out for my acceptance and welcome?
PARTY
TIME
Six stone water
jars at Cana. A hundred gallons each. That’s some party! Mary here becomes the means for God’s overflowing love
to be broken open and shared when it seemed that the party was all but over. God is never done with
us.
Where are the
signs of my abundant self-giving?
BY THE
CROSS
The old cliché
that no parent should see the death of a child comes to mind.
Here is Mary
standing by as Jesus suffers and breathes his last. She holds his body tenderly and only a grieving mother will
know what is in her heart at this time. We could well suppose that her attention was on him at this time rather
than on her own suffering, although at some time she must have allowed her own heart to
break.
In my own times of
grief I need to be alone with my own heart and often enough at the same time accompany the grief of those around
me. Am I able to hold these two needs in balance and do I have access to the help I may need at these
times?
Does the image of
Mary at the foot of the Cross have something to say to me here?
BRING ON THE
SPIRIT!
The Acts of
Apostles notes that Mary is present when the Holy Spirit enlivens and releases the disciples. Just as the Spirit
moved at the time of Jesus’ conception, so now at the conception of the Church, Mary is there in the midst of
the action, giving birth if you like, to the Body of Christ.
As we celebrate our Feast Day with her and each other, let our hearts be full of thanks as we
“give birth to God’s Word in our turn.” Father Kevin
Reflections
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