Word to the Wise
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
[Micah 5:1-4a OR Romans 8:28-30 and Matthew 1:1-6, 18-23]We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. [Romans]
There is no record of the reason September 8 was chosen for the date to celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary! What we know is that she was born, therefore she has a birthday! Right? September 8 is as good a date as any! The same kind of tradition supplies the names of her parents: Joachim and Ann. In St. Ann Church in San Antonio, TX, where I served as pastor 1994-98, the stained glass windows featured scenes of the Virgin Mary as a child! The only time I have ever seen her thus portrayed is there. We also had a statue of St. Ann with a little girl about 10 or 11 years old, presumably Mary! Has anyone ever seen a portrayal of her as an elderly woman? If Jesus was in his mid-thirties when he died, Mary had to have been nearly 50 at least - give or take a couple of years! I've never seen her portrayed as a woman of that age, which in the Middle East of Jesus' day, would have been elderly, given the shorter life expectancy of the times. In all our statues and holy cards, etc., she always appears as being 20-something to 30-something! For those who are interested in seeing just how broad and diverse our portrayal can be within that age range, I glady recommend OUR LADY OF THE LOST AND FOUND, by Diane Schoemperlen. St. Paul's words quoted above from his Letter to the Romans, has been applied by the tradition of the church to include in a special way the life of Mary. The "work for good" has to include her personal sacrifice of her life to the plan of God for salvation. I don't think most folks would want to undergo her particular suffering - especially any mother with an only child! The gospel scripture today points out the hesitation that Joseph experienced in going ahead with the marriage in the first place! I think the celebration of the birth of Mary (Why do we use "nativity?") is a reminder that all human life begins the same way and we share that with Mary at the same time that we are grateful that her life was involved in bringing new life to all humankind! Happy Birthday, Mary! AMEN