Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories

Today’s gospel reading portrays Jesus in the midst of many people. We focus on two – Mary, the sister to Lazarus, and Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’s disciples.

Mary breaks open an expensive jar of aromatic spikenard (an aromatic plant) and pours it over the feet of Jesus. Its aroma fills the home. Judas becomes indignant over the “waste” because of what he sees as a way to fill the moneybags for the poor. In Mary’s poorness, her richness outshines Judas’s self-righteous and richness. These two characters’ deeds are the antithesis of the other.

We can offer Jesus our poorness, our inability to save ourselves, and in doing so, become rich in salvation. Or, we can become blind by greed, distrust or self-righteous piety and overlook the gift of eternal life that is ours only in our humble poorness. Whatever our choice, our actions will fill our homes with the sweet aroma of love or the stench of selfishness.

May our thoughts, words and deeds fill our homes and the world with the sweet smells of salvation that Jesus offers and delivers.

“And the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.’” (Luke 1:28).

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will follow a Sunday schedule, taking special time away from our normal works to remain centered on prayer, to give thanks to God for choosing Mary as Christ’s mother, for choosing her as a mother for all of us.

Father, the image of the Virgin is found in the Church. Mary had a faith that your Spirit prepared and a love that never knew sin, for you kept her sinless from the moment of her conception. Trace in our actions the lines of her love, in our hearts her readiness of faith. Prepare once again a world for your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever. Amen.

As we honor and celebrate our moms, living and deceased, let us take a moment and reflect on Mary, the Mother of God, of all the children of God, our mother.

Mary was a woman in love – in love with her husband, Joseph, but also in love with God. Her fiat was a choice she could not refuse because of her deep faith and love of the Almighty.

“Mary will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21)

She was willing to follow God’s grace wherever it would take her.  She became the Arc of the Covenant, giving flesh to the Incarnate Word.  Through her, Jesus took on human form and likeness.  Through Mary, Jesus became who God wanted and needed him to be, the Christ.  Through Mary, Our Savior became God with us.

What great love Mary bore for her only son and for humanity. She thwarted social and religious norms and practices in order to give herself totally to God.  The result was a joy she herself knew, and it was glorious yet mysterious.

But it was also heart-piercing.  Mary did not stand in the way of Jesus growing in wisdom and taking on his role, his purpose in life.  She allowed Jesus to go forth and take on the sins of humanity to save all humanity from the darkness of death.  What anguish she must have felt when he was not accepted.  What love she must have had for God to watch her beloved son from God be mocked, tortured and crucified.  Mary also knew the faith and love Jesus had for Almighty God and trusted in God’s fidelity.

When moms (and dads) welcome their children into the world, watch them grow into people with distinct personalities, likes and dislikes, send them off to learn about the world and their role in it, and guide them on the road to independence, they are following Mary’s example.  Mary did what all faithful moms do – she gave Jesus roots and wings.  May all mothers model their lives after Mary, the quintessential mother.

Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our Adoration Chapel

Today is a special day as we honor the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We will spend this day in prayer, stepping away from our various jobs within the monastery to focus on the purity and holiness of Mary.

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ,

you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;

you have the same influence now in heaven.

Pray for us and obtain for us from Him

the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.