The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today connect praise of God from the Hebrew Testament to revelation of the Holy Spirit and inspiration in our lives through meditation.
Inspired on the Journey
The reading from the Book of Revelation describes the vision of the Woman and the Dragon.
* [12:1–6] The woman adorned with the sun, the moon, and the stars (images taken from Gn 37:9–10) symbolizes God’s people in the Old and the New Testament. The Israel of old gave birth to the Messiah (Rev 12:5) and then became the new Israel, the church, which suffers persecution by the dragon (Rev 12:6, 13–17); cf. Is 50:1; 66:7; Jer 50:12. This corresponds to a widespread myth throughout the ancient world that a goddess pregnant with a savior was pursued by a horrible monster; by miraculous intervention, she bore a son who then killed the monster.1
Psalm 45 is an ode for a royal wedding.
* [Psalm 45] A song for the Davidic king’s marriage to a foreign princess from Tyre in Phoenicia. The court poet sings (Ps 45:2, 18) of God’s choice of the king (Ps 45:3, 8), of his role in establishing divine rule (Ps 45:4–8), and of his splendor as he waits for his bride (Ps 45:9–10). The woman is to forget her own house when she becomes wife to the king (Ps 45:11–13). Her majestic beauty today is a sign of the future prosperity of the royal house (Ps 45:14–17). The Psalm was retained in the collection when there was no reigning king, and came to be applied to the king who was to come, the messiah.2
The reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians declares the last enemy to be destroyed by Jesus is death.
* [15:20–28] After a triumphant assertion of the reality of Christ’s resurrection (1 Cor 15:20a), Paul explains its positive implications and consequences. As a soteriological event of both human (1 Cor 15:20–23) and cosmic (1 Cor 15:24–28) dimensions, Jesus’ resurrection logically and necessarily involves ours as well.3
In the Gospel of Luke, Mary visits Elizabeth and we read her song of praise, the Magnificat.
* [1:46–55] Although Mary is praised for being the mother of the Lord and because of her belief, she reacts as the servant in a psalm of praise, the Magnificat. Because there is no specific connection of the canticle to the context of Mary’s pregnancy and her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat (with the possible exception of v. 48) may have been a Jewish Christian hymn that Luke found appropriate at this point in his story. Even if not composed by Luke, it fits in well with themes found elsewhere in Luke: joy and exultation in the Lord; the lowly being singled out for God’s favor; the reversal of human fortunes; the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. The loose connection between the hymn and the context is further seen in the fact that a few Old Latin manuscripts identify the speaker of the hymn as Elizabeth, even though the overwhelming textual evidence makes Mary the speaker.4
Edward Morse comments that we have a rich history of God at work in his creation, revealing his generous love, wisdom, and mercy toward us. That history points us to his only Son Jesus, who became one of us through his incarnation, and prepares the way for our own participation in divine life through his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Mary’s key role in this history is evident in today’s scriptures, which call us to renew our faith.
These texts lead us to pause and wonder. God chose to share his salvation plan with two women. Neither was recognized for her power or influence. An angel delivered the news to Mary, but Elizabeth received a more subtle message. Through faith, both enthusiastically embraced something wonderous. I am sure they had a lot to talk about over the three months they would spend together.
Other stories are unfolding in this world of imperfection and tension, including our own stories. We will struggle in many conflicts that tend to discourage and weaken us. But we have an even greater repository of truth than Mary had – testimony coming from the gospels and from those who would encounter Jesus and witness his resurrection and ascension into heaven – that forms an even stronger foundation for faith. Can we follow these examples of faith, knowing that God is both great and good, that his promises are sure?5
Don Schwager asks how strong is your hope in the promises of God? Mary is a model of faith and hope for us. And she is among "the first-fruits" of "all those who belong to Jesus" and who share in his triumph (1 Corinthians 15:20-24). There is a venerable tradition dating back to the early church which marks Mary's "falling asleep" (called the Feast of Dormition in many Eastern churches) and her heavenly birthday when she was received into heaven. Her reception into heaven is seen as a sign to all believing Christians of the promise Jesus made that we too would be received into paradise. Don quotes “Christ the fruit of the faithful,” by Ambrose of Milan (339-397 A.D).
"You see that Mary did not doubt but believed and therefore obtained the fruit of faith. 'Blessed ... are you who have believed.' But you also are blessed who have heard and believed. For a soul that has believed has both conceived and bears the Word of God and declares his works. Let the soul of Mary be in each of you, so that it magnifies the Lord. Let the spirit of Mary be in each of you, so that it rejoices in God (Luke 1:46-47). She is the one mother of Christ according to the flesh, yet Christ is the Fruit of all according to faith. Every soul receives the Word of God, provided that, undefiled and unstained by vices, it guards its purity with inviolate modesty. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.26)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:39-56 asks what happened when Mary greets Elizabeth? The Holy Spirit revealed to Elizabeth that her cousin was bearing her people’s longed-for Messiah, and he filled Mary’s heart with such joy that a beautiful prayer, called the Magnificat, burst forth from her.
If you feel stuck in a problem, think about Mary’s example and turn to the Holy Spirit. You’ll know he is helping you if, instead of brooding over the situation, you feel a desire to get out of yourself and help the people around you. You’ll know it’s the Spirit if you get a sense that God is with you in this situation. Mary’s yes to the Spirit was a constant theme in her life, and it can be for you too.
“Mary, pray that more and more people will turn to the Holy Spirit as you did.”7
Friar Jude Winkler connects the sign in the heavens in Revelation to the expected return of the Ark of the Covenant on the Day of the Lord. Mary is the new “Ark of the Covenant” carrying Jesus to Elizabeth. Friar Jude connects Mary’s journey to Elizabeth to the journey of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem in the time of King David.
A post from Franciscan Media notes that we find homilies on the Assumption going back to the sixth century. In the following centuries, the Eastern Churches held steadily to the doctrine, but some authors in the West were hesitant. However by the 13th century there was universal agreement. The feast was celebrated under various names—Commemoration, Dormition, Passing, Assumption—from at least the fifth or sixth century. Today it is celebrated as a solemnity.
In the light of the Assumption of Mary, it is easy to pray her Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55) with new meaning. In her glory she proclaims the greatness of the Lord and finds joy in God her savior. God has done marvels to her and she leads others to recognize God’s holiness. She is the lowly handmaid who deeply reverenced her God and has been raised to the heights. From her position of strength she will help the lowly and the poor find justice on earth, and she will challenge the rich and powerful to distrust wealth and power as a source of happiness.8
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Jonathon Stalls, artist and social and racial justice advocate. His activism is communicated through community building, contemplative practice, and walking meditation.
After roughly 20 minutes notice what begins to clear, notice what begins to open around your ideas, dreams, and possible barriers/blocks. Be ready with that notebook! I find that it is super helpful to simply honor what comes up by jotting it down. I can then release it, which will allow for more creative room. Try not to overthink or shut down ideas. This is a time to allow and celebrate imagination. If you aren’t noticing moments of inspiration and creativity, don’t worry . . . this practice can take time to set in. In time (and with practice!) it will open and expand your thinking, living, and BEing in beautiful and revealing ways.9
Our Christian history highlights the openness of Mary to surrender to the Word of God. Her model of faith and praise informs our journey.
References
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