As all good Catholics know, the first of January is a Holy Day of Obligation. That means that they offer Mass in the evenings when people are off of work and out of school. Which makes New Year's Day a confusing holy day, because people tend not to go to work or school, so both Masses happen in the morning. It also means there's something exciting happening in the Church -- like the start of a secular new year?
Actually, we're celebrating the Solemnity of Mary. As I wrote yesterday, it acts as a bookend for the Octave of Christmas, reminding us, as the Nativity does, of the Mystery of the Incarnation.
Our circus-performer-turned-priest (I kid thee not) started his sermon describing a game of cowboys and Indians he played with children on a mission trip to Basque country. During the game, one of his friends held a child "ransom" over a pond, about to dunk him. As he went into details, I began to wonder how this story would tie in with the Marian theme.
"The boy began to yell," he said. "...'¡Mamá! ¡Mamá!" Okay, he's going to urge us to call to Mary, just like little kids automatically call for Mom. "¡Ayúdeme, María!"
I got goosebumps. We all should call out to our Mom like that as we are dangling over 2010, Father continued.
He also mentioned that God allowed his plan of salvation to hinge on a young Jewish woman. We Catholics, despite our love for Mary, very rarely explicitly state what a difference she makes for women. When God wanted to save His world, He chose a woman. We talk about Mary's "yes," her love, her gentleness, but we rarely talk about her strength. We pray the Hail Mary over the Magnificat.
Mary doesn't speak much in the Scripture, and she addresses her longest speech to Elizabeth:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
(Luke 1:46-55)
Considering that the Mighty One, the Lord, this God of Mary was sending a savior to rescue the Israelites from conquerors and captivity, this prayer takes on a gutsy tone. Unlike the docile Hail Mary, the Magnificat is a prayer of justice and vindication. Even "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord" takes on new connotations. The handmaid of a warrior-king sounds more like Beowulf's wife, than a porcelain statue.
Of course, we can learn all the traditional lessons of patience and trust and obedience from our Mommy. But, especially as a woman, I want to see the beauty of her strength.
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