Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes

Lectionary: 531

As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap;
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.
When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bodies flourish like the grass;
The LORD's power shall be known to his servants.

We often honor the Virgin Mother of Jesus on the seventh day, and we should especially when the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes falls on Saturday. The recommended reading from Isaiah 66 promises comfort, refreshment, and rejoicing, which are typical of the Seventh Day, the Sabbath.

The Bible occasionally recognizes the moral dangers of major cities like Babylon and Rome, and it never fails to name the sins of Jerusalem, but it more often speaks of Jerusalem as the Holy City of God. Psalm 48 urges pilgrims to:

Go about Zion, walk all around it,

note the number of its towers.

Consider the ramparts, examine its citadels,

that you may tell future generations:

That this is God,

our God for ever and ever.

Americans experience awe as they study the depth of the sea or the enormity of a mountain, but ancient Jewish pilgrims saw God's strength and majesty in Jerusalem's walls, towers, ramparts, and citadels. In fact, given its tumultuous history of three thousand years, the City has rarely fallen to invading armies. It's well-chosen position on a hilltop is natural protection; and, like every ancient city, it had sturdy walls and an ample supply of water. She could usually outwait a siege as enemies fell to disease, homesickness, and discouragement. 

The Church has long regarded itself as the New Jerusalem and Mary its personification. When the Magi left the Holy City which tragically supported King Herod, they found the newborn King of the Jews in Mary's arms. She became the Holy City for us; and her children, the Lords disciples, delight in being with her. 

We recognize the Virgin in Isaiah's song of Jerusalem (chapter 54):

Raise a glad cry, you barren one who never bore a child,

break forth in jubilant song, you who have never been in labor,

For more numerous are the children of the deserted wife

than the children of her who has a husband,

says the LORD.

Enlarge the space for your tent,

spread out your tent cloths unsparingly;

lengthen your ropes and make firm your pegs.

For you shall spread abroad to the right and left;

your descendants shall dispossess the nations

and shall people the deserted cities.

 

This woman who is not barren but a virgin has children more numerous than the stars in the sky or the sand on the shore! They have come from all parts of the world and are still coming. 

Saint Paul cites the same passage as he encourages his Galatian disciples: 

...the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother.

For it is written: “Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children."

Finally, we remember the Virgin Mother in her apocalyptic role as she comforts her bewildered children during troubled times. She urges them to turn to the Lord for courage, guidance, and direction. Christians see something wonderful but nothing unusual in her appearances for she is God's reassuring prophet when we suffer disruption and turmoil. What mother refuses to visit her children young or old when they're in trouble? 

“Am I not here, I, who am your mother?? she demanded of Juan Diego and us. 

If we don't know where this will end, she knows that God is still in charge. Indeed the last several centuries have been plagued with crime, war, depression, disease, and environmental disaster as our own technological developments threaten to destroy us. So of course she comes to speak with us at Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, Knock, and Medjugorje. Invariably she appears to the least among us for they are God's special concern. 

Turning again to the Bible, we hear of Mary in Isaiah's voice: 

On that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah:
“A strong city have we;
he sets up victory as our walls and ramparts.
Open up the gates
that a righteous nation may enter,
one that keeps faith.
With firm purpose you maintain peace;
in peace, because of our trust in you.”

Trust in the LORD forever! 

For the LORD is an eternal Rock. Isaiah 26:1-4