First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses: "Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, a
nd I will bless them."
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 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.
A few thoughts on the readings:
Of all of the celebrations of the Church, the Solemnity of Mary is one of the most significant and most misunderstood. The readings that the Church has chosen for this day are so appropriate to its true meaning. Let us take a closer look at each of the readings.
In the first reading we encounter the first of many mysteries concerning the solemnity we celebrate today. We encounter the idea of divine dialogue. God speaks to Moses, giving him a message for the people of Israel. Strangely though, God chooses not to speak directly to the people. God also directs Moses to speak to Aaron and his sons rather than the people at large. Moses is to speak to Aaron, who in-turn will speak to the people. Why all the middle-men? Why not just speak directly to all the people? I’m not sure I’ll be able to answer that question here, but it is worth pondering.
In the second reading a somewhat strange expression is employed, “the fullness of time.” What does this expression mean exactly? I’m not sure if the Church has ever given a thorough answer. It’s curious to me how we hear the same expressions and readings year after year and yet rarely take the time to really understand the words. This homily is not the moment to engage a thoughtful study of the expression in question, but I encourage you to research the term for yourselves. If the “fullness of time” is related to the moment God sent his Son into the world, it will benefit your spiritual life to investigate this term. In the reading from the letter to the Galatians, the very essence of Emmanuel is brought forth for our understanding. This Son that God will send into the world is sent “into our hearts” to teach us the love that God has for us and to prove to us that we too are his children and heirs to his kingdom.
When we come to the Gospel we encounter a familiar story. When reading be careful not to allow images to cloud what is really being said here. Do not picture a “nativity scene” in your mind. The Gospel is not referring to some one-time event that took place in first-century Palestine. The Gospel (as well as the first two readings) is telling us about the process by which God comes into the world to save his people. This coming into the world is an on-going event. God continues to populate the world with his own children who he uses to build a kingdom of peace and love. The nativity event is not a static one-time happening. It is the perpetual process of the dialogue of love between God and his people.
Mary is the vehicle by which the Love of God enters the world. This is why the “Mother” is central to the Church’s theology. She is that which gives birth to the inspiration of God---his Son. The Solemnity of Mary is not meant to honor an isolated woman of first-century Palestine, it is meant to honor all those who accept the gift of God’s love in their hearts and, in obedience, bring forth the fruit of Love into the world. Those who receive true direct inspiration from God and give birth to that inspiration in the world are who we honor with this feast. Without the “Mary’s” of the world, how could the world receive the gift of God’s direct Love and Wisdom?
On the this Solemnity of Mary I honor all those who have given birth to the divine Love that will save all God’s children.
We Remember…Queen of Apostles Parish Community.
The LORD said to Moses: "Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, a
nd I will bless them."Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 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.
A few thoughts on the readings:
Of all of the celebrations of the Church, the Solemnity of Mary is one of the most significant and most misunderstood. The readings that the Church has chosen for this day are so appropriate to its true meaning. Let us take a closer look at each of the readings.
In the first reading we encounter the first of many mysteries concerning the solemnity we celebrate today. We encounter the idea of divine dialogue. God speaks to Moses, giving him a message for the people of Israel. Strangely though, God chooses not to speak directly to the people. God also directs Moses to speak to Aaron and his sons rather than the people at large. Moses is to speak to Aaron, who in-turn will speak to the people. Why all the middle-men? Why not just speak directly to all the people? I’m not sure I’ll be able to answer that question here, but it is worth pondering.
In the second reading a somewhat strange expression is employed, “the fullness of time.” What does this expression mean exactly? I’m not sure if the Church has ever given a thorough answer. It’s curious to me how we hear the same expressions and readings year after year and yet rarely take the time to really understand the words. This homily is not the moment to engage a thoughtful study of the expression in question, but I encourage you to research the term for yourselves. If the “fullness of time” is related to the moment God sent his Son into the world, it will benefit your spiritual life to investigate this term. In the reading from the letter to the Galatians, the very essence of Emmanuel is brought forth for our understanding. This Son that God will send into the world is sent “into our hearts” to teach us the love that God has for us and to prove to us that we too are his children and heirs to his kingdom.
When we come to the Gospel we encounter a familiar story. When reading be careful not to allow images to cloud what is really being said here. Do not picture a “nativity scene” in your mind. The Gospel is not referring to some one-time event that took place in first-century Palestine. The Gospel (as well as the first two readings) is telling us about the process by which God comes into the world to save his people. This coming into the world is an on-going event. God continues to populate the world with his own children who he uses to build a kingdom of peace and love. The nativity event is not a static one-time happening. It is the perpetual process of the dialogue of love between God and his people.
Mary is the vehicle by which the Love of God enters the world. This is why the “Mother” is central to the Church’s theology. She is that which gives birth to the inspiration of God---his Son. The Solemnity of Mary is not meant to honor an isolated woman of first-century Palestine, it is meant to honor all those who accept the gift of God’s love in their hearts and, in obedience, bring forth the fruit of Love into the world. Those who receive true direct inspiration from God and give birth to that inspiration in the world are who we honor with this feast. Without the “Mary’s” of the world, how could the world receive the gift of God’s direct Love and Wisdom?
On the this Solemnity of Mary I honor all those who have given birth to the divine Love that will save all God’s children.
We Remember…Queen of Apostles Parish Community.
