Word to the Wise
Friday, September 8, 2006 - NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
[Micah 5:1-4A or Romans 8:28-30 and Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23]We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
When it comes to the mother of Jesus, the religious imagination seems to have no bounds! But it doesn't take much imagination to realize that being human she shared at least one experience in common with all of us. She was born! Apocryphal tradition supplies the names of her parents, Sts. Joachim and Ann. The gospels mention nothing of her childhood. Apocryphal literature (the religious imagination) goes into that. However, what the gospels DO mention is that she was called according to God's purpose. And, I think it's safe to say that she fulfilled the criteria mentioned above by St. Paul, despite what appeared to be the tragic loss of her only child. In accepting the call of God she became the Mother of God and of the Church and the maternal model of Catholic faith. I remember the statue in front of St. Ann Church in San Antonio (where I was pastor 1994-98) which shows St. Ann with a little girl in front of her. Such a depiction places Mary closer to the age when we seem to enjoy our birthdays more! There's something to be said for religious imagination! We celebrate birthdays for all kinds of folks and Mary is special to us. It makes sense to celebrate her birthday. September 8th is as good a day as any to do that! AMEN