Born of the Virgin Mary...

BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY...

On rethinking our traditional image of a docile and passive Mary, submissive and unquestioning: 

“This was a woman who risked everything to do what she knew her God required of her, whatever its cost socially, publicly, spiritually.  This was a woman who acted alone, outside the permission of the systems and the tradition around her.  This was a woman who inserted herself into a public situation and directed Jesus to do the same, despite the fact that he said he was not ready to do so.  She had a strong will, a strong faith, a strong sense of self, and deep spiritual stamina.”

Practice:  Mary’s strength lay in her willingness to risk opening herself to God.  Ponder the risks you might need to take in order to allow God into your life, to participate in “the outpouring of divine life.”  Then pray the Canticle of Mary found in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, making your own the words, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.”  

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness;

behold, from now all will all ages call me blessed.

The Might One has done great things for me,

and Holy is his Name;

His mercy is from age to age to those fear him.

He has shown might with his arm,

dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones,

but lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things;

the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,

according to his promise to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

Quotations from Benedictine sister Joan Chittister’s book In Search of Belief, which explores the Apostles’ Creed phrase by phrase, demonstrating how the Creed is not a static set of rules or statements, but a living document that speaks to the deepest meaning of our existence and serves as a life guide, calling all of us to engage more deeply in relationship with God and with each other.  Sr. Chittister’s thoughts challenge us to live the Creed more fully as Christians; her writing is thought-provoking and inspirational.

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