Puting Mary in Your Living Room...

The following are some thoughts from my homily on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as given at our St. Joseph Mission in Lancaster, PA this past Sunday, August 19.

"Do as I say, not as I do." Was something my father often said to me growing up. Yes, I know that is contorted. I guess my father was a humble man aware of his own limitations. In fairness, he had a lot to imitate in his behavior as well. We have all heard this saying at some point in our lives, often as children.

Today we have a mother, and model who can say both, "Do as I do and as a say!" That woman is Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God. So, let us see what Mary said and do as she says.

1. Mary said, YES! More specifically, she said to the angel Gabriel, I am the servant of the Lord, let is be done unto me as you say." Mary's fiat to the angel expressed her deep faith and trust in God's promise that she grew up learning about and in which she professed her faith.

2. Mary said, all her greatness was due to God's promises and goodness. Always mindful of God's deep love for her she was able to do great things. and so can we.

3. God has a special place for those who are poor, outcast, and marginalized. Mary says that God needs to be the center of our lives and those free of the world's clutter more easily know this and live this.

4. Mary said at the wedding in Cana, "Do whatever he tells you." Mary again the servant of the Lord, knows that all of life's plans are in God's providence so we can let go and trust in following God's plans, no matter what the cost. Not that life will be easy, but that life will not be lonely without God's walking with us.

That is what Mary said, but what did Marry do?

1. Mary raised Jesus in the Jewish faith as a devoted mother and wife, and later widow and single mother. Yes, how do you like that...Mary was a single mother!

2. Mary placed her faith and trust in Jesus at Cana and sent him on his mission to do the will of the Father.

3. Mary stood by Jesus at the cross, with mostly other women, solid in her loving devotion and belief in his goodness and love.

4. Mary stood with and supported the early Church and apostles and was devoutly protected and watched over by them.

Mary is the preeminent model of Christian discipleship that ever lived. What did her complete devotion and trust in God's promise win her: that no corruption of sin and death befall her, she was taken body and soul to heaven in the pattern of the resurrection of her Son. She is the first to go where all the faithful will follow. She is the new Eve.

This feast is for all of us, because Mary was and is one of us. What God has done for Mary, he will do for all of us in the fullness of time. So we should really rejoice this feast. We should take Mary off the ledge, off the pedestal and place her right in our living rooms, and kitchens, and work offices. Her model of discipleship is real, her trust is real, her love for us is real, and her destiny is real for us as well.

As Elizabeth said..."Blessed are you among women!" (and men!)