34. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Cause of Our Joy

FIRST READING

 

A                                           Rejoice and be glad, Daughter of Zion.

Zechariah 2:14-17

 

Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!

See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.

Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,

and they shall be his people,

and he will dwell among you,

and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,

and he will again choose Jerusalem.

Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD!

For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.

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Commentary on Zec 2:14-17

 

This selection from the Book of the Prophet Zechariah is seen as predicting the coming of the Messiah. It provides a rather unique glimpse at the messianic expectation: He comes to unify and bring security to the faithful. This passage also demonstrates the “true man, true God” essence of the Lord by first saying, “I am coming to dwell among you,” followed by, “Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the Lord! For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.”

 

CCC: Zec 2:14 722; Zec 2:17 2143

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B                                        Exult for joy in the Lord.

Isaiah 61:9-11

 

Thus says the LORD:

The descendants of my people shall be renowned among the nations,

and their offspring among the peoples;

All who see them shall acknowledge them

as a race the LORD has blessed.

I rejoice heartily in the LORD,

in my God is the joy of my soul;

For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation,

and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,

Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,

like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

As the earth brings forth its plants,

and a garden makes its growth spring up,

So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise

spring up before all the nations.

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Commentary on Is 61:9-11

 

This selection provides the last verses of “Glad Tidings to the Lowly,” one of the songs of those returning from exile. Jesus quoted from the first part of this song (not included) when he announced the messianic kingdom had come (Luke 4:18-19). In these verses, the prophet sees the New Jerusalem coming forth as a light upon the world, bring salvation to the people and glory to God.

 

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

 
Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54

 

R. (Is 61:10b) My spirit rejoices in my God.

 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked upon his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

R. My spirit rejoices in my God.

 

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

R. My spirit rejoices in my God.

 

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

R. My spirit rejoices in my God.

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Commentary on Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54

 

This is a selection from the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), which is the beautiful Canticle of Mary. Her song of thanksgiving and humility captures the saintliness that has become synonymous with our image of Mary the Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven, and the Mother of the Church. In her dedication of the service she offers to God as vessel of the Messiah, she sets the stage for the humble birth of Jesus.

 

"Three stanzas may be distinguished in the canticle: in the first (verses 46-50) Mary glorifies God for making her the Mother of the Savior, which is why future generations will call her blessed; she shows that the Incarnation is a mysterious expression of God's power and holiness and mercy. In the second (verses 51-53) she teaches us that the Lord has always had a preference for the humble, resisting the proud and boastful. In the third (verses 54-55) she proclaims that God, in keeping with His promise, has always taken care of His chosen people – and now does them the greatest honor of all by becoming a Jew (cf. Romans 1:3)."[1]

 

CCC: Lk 1:46-55 722, 2619, 2675; Lk 1:46-49 2097; Lk 1:48 148, 971, 2676, 2676; Lk 1:49 273, 2599, 2807, 2827; Lk 1:50 2465; Lk 1:54-55 706

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GOSPEL

 

A                                           As soon as Elizabeth herd Mary's greeting

the infant leaped in her womb.

 

Luke 1:39-47

Mary set out

and traveled to the hill country in haste

to a town of Judah,

where she entered the house of Zechariah

and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,

the infant leaped in her womb,

and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,

cried out in a loud voice and said,

“Most blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And how does this happen to me,

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,

the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Blessed are you who believed

that what was spoken to you by the Lord

would be fulfilled.”

 

And Mary said:

 

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

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Commentary on Lk 1:39-47

 

The story of Mary’s meeting with Elizabeth following the annunciation by Gabriel that she would carry the Son of God proclaims the coming of the Lord and the faith of Mary before the nativity event. We note that Elizabeth is first to identify Jesus as Lord as she says, "how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She not only professes the identity of the infant but foreshadows Mary’s leadership standing, elevating the stature of her much younger cousin with reverence. Elizabeth continues her praise of Mary by establishing that Mary’s faith had allowed her to accept the incredible role God had offered her.

 

In response, we hear Mary’s humility as she begins with the opening verse of the Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

 

CCC: Lk 1:41 523, 717, 2676; Lk 1:43 448, 495, 2677; Lk 1:45 148, 2676; Lk 1:46-55 722, 2619, 2675; Lk 1:46-49 2097

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B                                                    May joy be within you.

 

John 15:9-12

Jesus said to his disciples:

“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.

Remain in my love.

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,

just as I have kept my Father’s commandments

and remain in his love.

 

“I have told you this so that

my joy might be in you and

your joy might be complete.

This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

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Commentary on Jn 15:9-12

 

Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples continues. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of Christ’s departure. In this passage Jesus focuses on the chain of love from the Father, through the Son, to us.

 

The passage concludes with a commandment. In this statement “…love one another as I love you.” The Lord summarizes all other commandments and expresses his entire will. (CCC 2822).

 

CCC: Jn 15:9-10 1824; 15:9 1823; 15:12 459, 1823, 1970, 2074

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Reflection:

There are definitely times when, as the song by the band Nazareth says: “Love Hurts.”  Of course the rock anthem does not translate well into the Christian understanding of love.  Nevertheless, when we follow Christ’s commandment to love God, and love one another, we can be hurt.  Our constant challenge is to endure these hurts as we have been shown by our ultimate example.  The Savior endured his great passion at the hands of those he loved.  Still, his great sorrow as his blood ran down the wood of his victorious altar was that those he loved would be punished for their unthinking acts by being separated from God, their loving Father, for eternity.

Of course our Blessed Mother Mary also felt the pain of a mother’s love.  Still she understood the necessity of it. Could we have understood the peace of Christ, demonstrated by forgiveness, without her example?  She did not resent or hate those who stole her son from her.  She gave us the great gift of compassion and acceptance.  Indeed she is the cause of our great joy, knowing our Savior, even in death, forgave us our sins and promised us that the gates of heaven were open.

Pax

[1] The Navarre Bible, “Gospels and Acts”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, pp. 350

33. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Good Counsel

FIRST READING

The wonderful counselor is given to us.

Isaiah 9:1-3, 5-6

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom

a light has shone.

You have brought them abundant joy

and great rejoicing,

as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,

as people make merry when dividing spoils.

For the yoke that burdened them,

the pole on their shoulder,

and the rod of their taskmaster

you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests.

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

His dominion is vast

and forever peaceful,

from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,

which he confirms and sustains

by judgment and justice,

both now and forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

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Commentary on Is 9:1-3, 5-6

 

Some scholars presume that this oracle of Isaiah was developed as a liturgical piece, used to celebrate the ascension of a king to the throne of Israel. The prophet, however, speaks here of the “ideal or ultimate” king, Emmanuel [Immanuel] (see Isaiah 7:14), not a historical person, but a predicted future king (we of course see the Messiah in hindsight). The symbolism describes freedom from enslavement (the image of a yoked beast of burden is commonly used in this context) as the taskmaster (enslaver) is cast off.

 

The oracle celebrates this future king and messiah as one who brings wisdom from God and peace for all times. The passage concludes identifying the source or lineage of this Christ as from David’s line and references his promised succession.

 

CCC: Is 9:5 2305

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B                              With one heart the disciples continued in steadfast prayer

with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-4

After Jesus had been taken up into heaven,

   the apostles returned to Jerusalem

   from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,

   a sabbath day's journey away.

 

When the apostles entered the city

   they went to the upper room where they were staying,

   Peter and John and James and Andrew,

   Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,

   James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,

   and Judas son of James.

All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,

   together with some women,

   and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

 

 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,

   the apostles were all in one place together.

 And suddenly there came from the sky

    a noise like a strong driving wind,

    and it filled the entire house in which they were.

 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,

    which parted and came to rest on each one of them.

 And they were all filled with the holy Spirit

    and began to speak in different tongues,

    as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

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Commentary on Acts 1:12-14

 

This passage provides part of the introductory comments of St. Luke as he begins the Acts of the Apostles. Like any well-written story, he connects the events that have just taken place in his first volume, the Gospel of Luke, with what will follow. In the first verses Jesus ascended and told them to expect the gift of the Holy Spirit. In this selection the disciples with Mary the Mother of Jesus and his extended family return to Jerusalem and enter the locked room. Important to recognize is the presence not just of the apostles but of Mary, ever faithful to her son.

 

"Here we see Mary as the spiritual center around which Jesus' intimate friends gather: tradition has meditated on this 'tableau', and found it to depict our Lady's motherhood over the whole Church, both at its beginning and over the course of the centuries."[14]

 

The selection next takes up the Pentecost.  “When the Time for Pentecost was fulfilled” – the word in its Greek form means “fifty” so we understand this phrase to mean fifty days after Christ’s resurrection (Easter). An interesting coincidence is the Jewish Festival of Weeks (Harvest Festival “Shavuoth”) was also called Pentecost. Whether it was taken first by the Christians and later adopted by the Hellenistic Jews we do not know.

 

Those present (not just the disciples) heard a loud noise like the rushing of the wind. This signified a new action by God. Indeed we see the symbol of the Holy Spirit, a flame, descend upon the Apostles launching them into prayers of ecstasy that were heard by all present in their own language. This event can be interpreted as a representation of the universal mission of the Church to all peoples of all nations.

 

CCC: Acts 1:14 726, 1310, 2617, 2623, 2673; Acts 2:1-4 1287; Acts 2:1 2623; Acts 2:3-4 696

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Sirach 14:20,21-22,23-25,26-27

 

R. (20a) Blessed are those who meditate on wisdom.

 

Happy those who meditate on wisdom,

and reflect on knowledge.

R. Blessed are those who meditate on wisdom.

 

Who ponder her ways in their hearts,

and understand her paths.

R. Blessed are those who meditate on wisdom.

 

Who peep through her windows,

and listen at her doors;

who encamp near her house,

and fasten their tent pegs next to her walls;

who pitch their tents beside her,

and live as her welcome neighbors.

R. Blessed are those who meditate on wisdom.

 

Who build their nests in her leafage;

and lodge in her branches;

who takes shelter with her from the heat,

and dwell in her home.

R. Blessed are those who meditate on wisdom.

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Commentary on Sir 14:20,21-22,23-25,26-27

 

"This poem charts the growing intimacy between those seeking Wisdom and Wisdom herself. They move from static reflection to playful pursuit, from camping outside the walls of her house to nesting inside her leafy shade. Ben Sira portrays Wisdom as both mother and bride, a feminine figure who is the fullness of womanhood according to his androcentric society."[1]

 

Placed in the context of Marian liturgy, the poem reflects the Christian pursuit of Mary's wisdom and faith.  Once attained we join her in faith, directed at her son.

 

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GOSPEL

The mother of Jesus said to the attendants: Do whatever he tells you.

John 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,

and the mother of Jesus was there. ,

Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.

When the wine ran short,

the mother of Jesus said to him,

"They have no wine."

And Jesus said to her,

"Woman, how does your concern affect me?

My hour has not yet come."

His mother said to the servers,

"Do whatever he tells you."

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,

each holding twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus told them,

"Fill the jars with water."

So they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them,

"Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter."

So they took it.

And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,

without knowing where it came from

(although the servers who had drawn the water knew),

the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,

"Everyone serves good wine first,

and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;

but you have kept the good wine until now."

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee

and so revealed his glory,

and his disciples began to believe in him.

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Commentary on Jn 2:1-11

 

The author gives us the story of Jesus' first revelatory action following his baptism by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan. Jesus and his disciples are invited to a wedding and the wine runs out. Jesus’ mother lets her son know that the time has come for his revelation, even though Jesus does not think so. 

The Greek in the exchange between Jesus and his mother is ambiguous; some would interpret it, ‘What concern is that of mine or yours?’, but it is more probably to be understood as a Hebrew idiom, ‘What have I to do with you?’, that is, ‘Leave me alone, do not interfere with me’, as in Matthew 8.29, and in many passages of the Old Testament. [2]

Significantly the stone water jars were there for the ceremonial cleansing, the very Hebrew custom John the Baptist used in his call to repentance. The Hebrew custom was symbolic (as was St. John's invitation to be baptized in the Jordan); the Lord would later make baptism efficacious as sins were forgiven. We also note the Hebrew numerology applied to this scene. The number six represents one less than the perfect number seven. It was not yet Jesus’ time. The water became wine, not his blood which was yet to be poured out for the salvation of mankind.

The final statement in this story: “his disciples began to believe in him,” is the only time in the Gospel of St. John where there was any doubt about the Lord’s true identity on their part.

 

CCC: Jn 2:1-12 2618; Jn 2:1-11 1613; Jn 2:1 495; Jn 2:11 486, 1335

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Reflection: 

The Blessed Virgin Mary is believed to be a source of divine guidance, wisdom, and counsel, and her intercessory power is sought for help in making important decisions. Mother of Good Counsel reflects Mary's role as a wise and loving guide, particularly in times of difficulty or uncertainty. The Gospel from St. John reflects this understanding, choosing to use the wedding feast at Cana as the first example of the Blessed Mother's first counsel given to our Lord following his baptism in the Jordan by St. John.

Here Mother Mary recognizes the that the time for Jesus' public revelation is at hand.  When she hears that the wine is running out and knowing the embarrassment this will cause the family of the newly joined couple, she counsels her son to act, launching his public ministry which is our road to salvation.

How many times over the years the Mother of God must have taught her growing son, giving him the advice and guidance so necessary for the Son of God to assume his salvific role.  Here wisdom is clearly seen in her interaction throughout the Lord's ministry, on which she was a constant companion.

As we celebrate her motherhood and the role she plays in the life of the Church, we are reminded to look for her intercession and counsel seeing in it the love she also has for all of God's children.  When we are in dire need of help and, indeed, in the course of our lives on earth, let us not forget that in addition to the gift of the Holy Spirit we also have recourse to the one who guided the Lord to ensure the happiness of the loving couple at Cana.

Pax

[1] See NAB Footnote on Sirach 14:20–15:10.

[2] Knox Bible footnote on Jn 2:4.