Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

Lectionary: 18

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

An "octave" is a celebration of eight days marked with extra ceremony. The custom comes to us from our Jewish ancestors, a gift of the Old Testament. In our Catholic tradition we observe the octaves of Christmas and Easter,  especially by singing or reading the Gloria during each Mass. For us, every day is Sunday; and the eighth day is especially important.

This Christmas octave began with the celebration of Jesus' birth; it is truly right and just that we should finish the series with Mary, the Mother of God.

What an astonishing phrase -- "the Mother of God!" Is it possible that God should have a mother? Can that make any sense? It sounds like one of those koans the Buddhist use to teach their students; "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" or "What do you call the world?" The master demands an answer of his young disciple and is satisfied with nothing the lad can say or explain. Not even his silence will pacify the the demanding, unreasonable teacher, because he is teaching a higher form of reasoning.

We too claim a deeper wisdom as we contemplate Mary, the Mother of God. The skeptical and cynical need not apply; this world's wisdom cannot fathom the depths of such an expression.

The foolishly devout might wish they had been chosen for such a privilege. One of our pious songs declares, "Had I but Mary's sinless heart to love thee with my dearest king, O with what burst of fervent praise, thy Jesus' goodness would I sing." But there could be only one Immaculate Heart. It's not for you or me to wish we were so blessed; rather, we should admire and praise God for her privilege. (But it's a nice song!)

This mystery of Mary Theotokos and Virgin Mother is better explained by images than words. We see the Child in his Mother's arms and we understand the Son of God must come to us as a human baby. He will grow up among us with a child's innocence; he watches his parents, uncles and aunts, cousins, neighbors and strangers. He admires their strength and wisdom; he laughs with their humor and grieves with their sorrow. He lends his clumsy strength when there are chores to be done, and then masters those skills with practice.

The Baby first learns to be a human being as he relies upon his Mother for nourishment and comfort; and later for guidance and instruction. He watches always her reactions and responses. Even as a newborn infant, his Spirit is animated by her Spirit as they bond. Anyone who would separate or differentiate the Child from the Mother knows little of that enormous mystery we call "parenting." Their bond will only grow as they grow from strength to strength and grace to grace.

To save us God must be born of Mary, and then he must go out from her home to give his life for the salvation of the world. We meet Jesus first in her presence, as Saints Matthew and Luke lead us to Bethlehem. And as Saint John invites us to come and see where he lives. But Mary is never just a passive observer of her child's growth and development. Even as she ponders these things in her heart, she sends him to us with the words, "Do whatever he tells you!"

Contemplating the mystery of Theotokos (Mother of God) we find our place in salvation. We too are incarnate in his body and blood. We have eaten his flesh and drank his blood. If we live forever it is because his spirit has gathered our bodies into his own resurrected body, that Body that was born of Mary's virgin womb.