Let the Lord enter; he is the King of Glory
Modern readers of the New Testament would like to have more information about Mary. Who was she? How did she feel about becoming Jesus’ mother? What did she think of her son and his development? What did her neighbors make of her unexpected pregnancy? Whatever became of her? If she is so important, why do we have so little information about her?
The evangelists were not disinterested in these matters; they simply never thought of them. Introducing Mary, Saint Luke wants to tell us of the ideal Christian who is, in a sense, the Church. In today’s gospel passage, when Gabriel tells her “the power of the Most High will over shadow you” he is recalling the Cloud of Glory that filled the Temple of Jerusalem when Solomon dedicated it:
…the glory of the Lord filled the house. But the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord. All the Israelites looked on while the fire came down and the glory of the Lord was upon the house, and they fell down upon the pavement with their faces to the earth and adored, praising the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. The king and all the people were offering sacrifices before the Lord. (2 Chronicles 7)
Mary is the Temple, the Holy City, the Church and the Earth. Her yes is more than a personal decision. She speaks for the whole church and the entire Earth. She, like her ancestors Abraham, Moses and David, welcomes God into our world. God has been waiting a long time for this invitation. But more blessed and more generous than her ancestors, she welcomes God to take possession of her body.
Salvation is of the body, as well as the soul and spirit. It is a physical event like eating and drinking and sleeping; different only in the sense that it is of even greater importance. It is a healing beyond any healing of disease because we are born with an incurable sickness that overwhelms our bodies, minds and hearts. It corrupts our familial, social and political relations, paralyzing our ability to care about anyone. That Grace which Mary welcomes is a healing of each and all of us, and of the entire earth.
Mary, like all of her people, prayed daily for that salvation and the Lord found her prayers irresistible. Intending since time began that creation should be worthy to receive such a gift, God blessed her with the grace of Immaculate Conception, so that she was worthy – “full of grace” and “blessed among women” – to be the Mother of God.
To give God the honor and praise he is due, and to give Mary the honor and praise she is due for her eager obedience, we know everything we need to know of her. We thank God with every Hail Mary for the blessings he showered upon her and upon us, her beloved children.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.