Ending Each Rosary ~ Mary As Queen!

Mary as Queen with angels and stars.

THIS PAINTING DEPICTS THE PRECISE MOMENT when Jesus, having seated his Mother next to him, is placing a queen's crown on her head. Mary is Queen, but Queen Mother. And historically the Queen Mother has often been so highly regarded, revered and loved because she is the one most close to her people. She sees their suffering and becomes their solicitous advocate and helper. She's more wise than others and responsive in love. 

There's also an entourage of angels gathered around the back of the throne. They're watching and taking peaceful pleasure in what they see. It appears that some have their hands folded  in prayer. I prefer to think they're clapping - sharing the joy. They might well be happy for us too, as a crown is reserved for you and me. Saint James tells us in his beautiful letter:

Blessed is anyone who perseveres when trials come. Such a person is of proven worth and will win the prize of life; the crown that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

See the cosmic opening above the throne: the stars, sun and moon. Years ago, even before my ordination, I heard a Norbertine priest give a series of talks on Liturgy and Advent Symbolism. Along the way he referenced Mary, symbolized by the moon. One woman, clearly irritated, called out, "No woman should be reflected by the moon; the moon is a reflected light." Somehow I can't imagine Mary grousing that she's imaged by a reflected light. And symbols can't please everybody - especially moderns with their ever changing agendas. But notice this: here on earth we experience the moon in its beautiful phases. And while yes, Mary is symbolized by the moon, it is the moon in its first crescent phase. That is to say,  in Mary, something beautiful, delicate, new and promising is beginning. 

```````````````

THE OFFICIAL PRAYER OF THE CHURCH is called The Liturgy of the Hours. The Church day is broken up with pauses for prayer, the two principle parts or hinges are Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer with little stops in between. But each day ends with Compline, which is also simply called Night Prayer. At the end of Compline there is always a kind of good-night hymn to the Virgin Mary. During the Ordinary Time of the year, when the Christmas and Easter seasons are completed, the hymn is always the Hail Holy Queen - in Latin: it is called Salve Regina. YouTube Salve Regina to hear it sung. Anyway, over time, as the rosary took shape, to pray the Hail Holy Queen became traditional and standard. The prayer is full of a tender intimacy with the Mother of God.

Hail Holy Queen.
Mother of Mercy,
Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy towards us,
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

When I was a young priest, I had a classmate who refused to pray the prayer because he disapproved of calling the world a valley of tears. This struck me as odd, since his parish was poor and reflected all of the problems that come with poverty: insecurity, violence, abortion, poor education, unattended sickness, loneliness, domestic violence, unemployment. Maybe since then, having seen more of life, he's changed his mind.

But here's a most interesting aspect of the prayer. The Salve Regina was written by a monk who suffered from an incapacitating neurological illness - perhaps what we would know today as Spina bifida or polio. And yet, for all the misery that would have caused him and the misery of the medieval world in which he lived, he acknowledged that suffering world and turned his sighs to heaven.

Turn then most gracious advocate your eyes of mercy towards us. How fortunate we are that the monk's words are still with us - that this insight has been passed down over hundreds of years and shared with us who have our own experience of this world, which while indeed a paradise, is also for many and perhaps all of us in some respect, a valley of tears. 

The Dali Lama tells of visiting a profoundly wealthy family for dinner: penthouse apartment, servants, other residences away from the city, cars, boats, travel. They had seemingly everything. When he went to use the bathroom he tells of the medicine cabinet having been left ajar. Maybe he peaked. And inside were shelves of medications for depression and anxiety. Our inner world can be a valley of tears. Pray this prayer often, and not just at the end of the rosary, and it will start to spring automatically to mind when life is unpleasant, harsh, irksome or painful.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy..

The Betrothal of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph

The Betrothal of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Joseph

Feast ~ January 23



The Marriage of the Virgin ~ Pedro Ramirez ~ 1668



This is a rather traditional posing of this theme: Mary, Joseph and the High Priest at the moment of Joseph placing the ring on Mary's finger. The High Priest is not looking at the couple but at us. The dark sky is breaking up and it is the Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove) who seems to be the source of light in a double ringed aureole. The sphere of light has a kind of rainbow quality to it - symbol of a new beginning.

But what is most amazing is the two hands that reach around Joseph and Mary. At quick glance we might think they are the High Priest's hands, but he is already busy directing Joseph placing the ring. No, the hands are God's  hands reaching into the scene, seeming to push Joseph and Mary together. Have I ever felt God's hands reaching into my own personal world: opening up an opportunity, putting me back on my feet after some failure, guiding me along my life-way - This way; not that?

Our Father...

Ancient Jewish marriages happened in stages. First there was a betrothal in which the couple was blessed and gave their consent. They were truly married. But then, before they lived together as husband and wife there was a period apart from each other for up to a year. It was a year to learn from older married people how to be good Jewish spouses. Waiting. We're not good at it. We want to win millions of dollars in the space of a TV show. We expect to lose thirty pounds with a couple of pills in a weekend. But nothing in the spiritual life happens that quickly. Without waiting, we miss a great deal of life and a great deal of God.

Hail Mary!

The gospel tells us, "When Mary was engaged to Joseph, before their marriage, she was discovered to be pregnant - by the Holy Spirit." (Matthew1:18) Matthew makes no reference to the shocking law which said Mary would have been stoned to death for being pregnant and not yet married. We know that Mary's elder relative, Elizabeth, was happy about the pregnancy. But what about the other relatives, and the friends and neighbors? Wouldn't it sadden me to know that Mary was talked about in a slanderous or unkind way? A lot of people have a lot to say about everything. I'll pray that the Lord would put a guard on my lips, (Psalm141: 3) and that I would never cause hurt or damage by the things I say.

Hail Mary!

In their betrothal Mary and Joseph began their married lives together. Along with all the other saints, we say that they are holy. Holiness isn't a quantitative thing, like a product we pick off a shelf or collect. "We are created for holiness," Mother Teresa said. But like Mary and Joseph I must discover holiness for myself. Holiness means that I would live my own unique self as truthfully and as beautifully as Jesus lived his. It's that personal! Mary discovered and lived her holiness as wife and mother. Joseph lived his holiness as husband , guardian and protector. And  I am called to holiness too! Let's think about these things often.

Hail Mary!

Two young boys were taken into the doctor's office while their mother had an early sonogram. Watching the screen, in unison they said, "Oh, look at the baby!" We know what it is. And if a woman loses a pregnancy, the suffering that comes with loss can be profound. We all can't be mothers physically, but we can all nurture and support life. Tending a garden nurtures life. Carefully watching for children and animals while I drive nurtures life. Preparing and serving food nurtures life. Loving presence to the sick, the little ones, the elderly and persons with  special needs supports life.

Hail Mary!

The Gospels are clear: Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. He is the guardian of the Virgin Mary; he is the protector of the Infant Jesus. And in choosing him for these roles God created a place of safety and peace - an environment of love for this Mother and Child. In their betrothal, Mary and Joseph were saying: I will help you to be good and to live a God-pleasing life. In a world of quitting and broken promises, can I image this kind of committed relationship? I promise to help you to be the best person you can be!

Hail Mary!

We're told in the gospels that Joseph was of the house or blood line of King David. This is quite a claim! Mary is marrying into a royal family, indeed, the most famous family in Israel's history. The royal family of David ruled Israel for centuries. But by the time of Jesus' birth, that era of glory had passed and there hadn't been a ruler from David's family in power for hundreds of years. So there was no inheritance, title, prestige, palace or power for Mary. No one could say that Mary was marrying Joseph for the money. Instead, Joseph was a laborer who worked with wood. They lived their lives simply and quietly in Nazareth, such a miserable people made jokes about it. Does it trouble me that God's gospel-ways are so small and insignificant?

Hail Mary!

Why would Mary accept betrothal to Joseph if she intended to remain a virgin? Maybe because virginity wasn't very do-able in bible times and Joseph's companionship would offer Mary protection and economic stability. Maybe the marriage was arranged. Perhaps God felt the Child needed to grow up in a family setting. Maybe God wanted to protect Mary's reputation. Maybe Joseph understood Mary's vow and other men wouldn't have been as protective. Indeed, maybe Joseph shared his own ideal of virginity with Mary. Some married couples live this way - though this may seem nearly impossible for us to understand who live in a commercialized world of television and movie sex-drama.

Hail Mary!

There are only a few gospel-sentences that tell us anything about the relationship of Mary and Joseph. It is quite clear however, that the relationship was one of committed love. Joseph was tempted to divorce Mary because he wasn't the biological father of her baby, but an angel told him what was happening and how he was needed. Then the drama unfolded and in the middle of the night Joseph, warned in a dream that the newborn's life was in danger, quickly moved his family to safety in Egypt. (Matthew 2: 14,15) And all of this was accomplished in silence. We never hear a word from Joseph. What a contrast with the world of chat rooms, Twittering, Tweeting, Texting, Skyping, interviews and online polls and endless talk show entertainment.

Hail Mary!

We defend abortion today by posing questions about the most irregular situations: rape and incest, teen age and out of wedlock pregnancies, baby deformities. One could say Mary's pregnancy was irregular - the baby conceived by the Holy Spirit. The child doesn't belong to Joseph biologically or genetically as he does not have a physical relationship with Mary, thought she is his wife. Does Joseph re-define fatherhood? He accepts the new life in Mary's womb by honorably remaining loyal to her. He takes her to Bethlehem to register his family, acknowledging  the pre-born life within his wife. He gives the child a name in David's bloodline and protects the child from the threats of Herod. It's hard to imagine a better father - a protector and defender of the child.

Hail Mary!

Joseph obeyed the word of the Angel and took Mary into his home as his wife. (Matthew 1:20-24) At the end of Saint John's Gospel, Jesus will speak to John from the cross, instructing him to take Mary into his home as Mother. (John 19:25-27)  In 1879 the Virgin Mary appeared with both Saint Joseph and Saint John at Knock, Ireland. When Mary is taken in, suspicion and greed decrease and the soul begins to warm and expand in joyful hospitality and generous love.

Hail Mary!

Glory be to the Father...



The Earlier Mysteries of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Her Presentation in the Temple

The Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast - November 21 

 

There are more than a few things in the Bible (and the New Testament is no exception) wherein story elements offend or confound our own contemporary sensibilities - like Jesus releasing the demons and the herd of pigs goes over the bluff and into the sea and drowns. Bible writing is ancient and it's unrealistic to expect that all the facets of the story will make sense to our way of thinking and living.

Joachim and Anne had prayed long for a child. And when God answered their prayer in the birth of Mary, they were  so grateful, at age three they presented her to the priest in the Jerusalem temple to live! Some young people feel exiled in being sent to summer camp or a residential school, but Mary was sent away as little more than a toddler. But the story is told so we can understand how profoundly God-centered her life was. Let's look for what's beautiful and good in the story and not worry about "How could they...!"  which would be to look at the story too simply.

There's resurrection in this young Mary, isn't there? The going up the stairs is important! And she is not only dressed in white, but she seems to radiate light from within. And Joachim, her father, is holding an empty glass jar. Was the painter just showing off that he had the skill to paint a transparent object? Maybe it signals Mary being emptied for God's purposes. Or Mary's transparency of soul!

Our Father...

At her Presentation at age three, Mary climbed the temple steps. Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel has said in an interview, "I think every human being is almost by  definition capable of hatred. But what I've learned is that a child until the age of three is not. A child begins to hate at the age of three. In other words, the child has been taught how to hate." Hate is strong feelings against other people. With Mary, I want to climb inner temple steps: up and out of ignorant hatred, to insight, consciousness and understanding.

Hail Mary!

In the ancient biblical world, to be childless cause terrible suffering, sadness and shame. By the time God answered their prayer for a baby Joachim and Anne were already elderly. God's ways are often very strange to us. But even though they had waited so long for this child, the parents were quick to keep their promise to give the child to God's care - placing God first by allowing Mary to be brought up in the temple. And while this may be seemingly impossible for us understand, we might at least pause to consider how I might come a bit closer to that reality. What could it mean for me?

Hail Mary!

Old Zechariah received the three-year-old Mary who climbed the steps unassisted to to the Holy of Holies. It was right for Mary to climb the temple steps - she is higher than the angels. And when she reached the top, Zechariah took her by the hand, leaning on her as if she were a little staff who would lead him to the Holy. Then she went past the veil into the deepest and most secret place of the temple, where only the High Priest was allowed to enter once a year. Oh Lady, enter with your brightness, and light up the inner places where I am blinded by shadow and dark inclinations.

Hail Mary!

Presentation means to make a gift of something. At first glance it looks as if Joachim and Anne present Mary to Zechariah for life in the temple. But when Mary climbs the stairs and enters the holy place, we sense she is presenting herself to God and for God's purposes. Each day I can make a presentation of myself ~ like the glass jar Joachim holds, presenting myself to God, waiting eagerly to be filled.

Hail Mary!

There is something very beautiful about Mary that draws even non-believers to her. Do I notice that even as a little girl, she is fully dressed? That pleases us somehow. Maybe deep inside we feel shame that today in our country, everything is sold by sex - even soda and cars. Undressing is celebrated and expected. Our dancing is no longer elegant and disciplined but now sexualized in a primitive way. Women and girls are exploited for sex, and even the nakedness of little children is desired, sought after and paid for. Mary is modest, which means: not everything has to be shown and seen. It is a very beautiful virtue.

Hail Mary!

The Child Mary climbed the steps before the temple altar and on the third step, she danced, and all of Israel loved her. In many  traditional dances, there are patterns and rules to follow and someone leads while taking the hand of the other. Oh, let's take the hand of Mary who leads the joyful  dance that guides souls. And let's pray that she would lead us out of the abyss of self-loathing; out of the inner land of lies, dark and hateful thoughts - to the contemplation of God's face.

Hail Mary!

The Infant Mary was the fruit of Joachim's and Anne's long, fervent and persevering prayer. And there are people who say, "Oh I tried prayer; it doesn't work." Some people keep daily tabs on the performance of their stock portfolios and make adjustments to maximize their profits. Some people have never missed an episode of a favorite TV series. Some people people spend countless hours talking on the phone everyday with the same friends. But prayer? "Oh I tried that; it doesn't work!" Oh heaven, how we use and abuse you!

Hail Mary!

There is a book for children about the years in which Mary lived in the temple as a young girl: Mary was blessed by God with all goodness. She became very strong in her faith. She was humble, kind, helpful and friendly to everyone. She offended no one, nor spoke ugly words. She never allowed unclean thoughts to enter her heart. And so she grew in wisdom and grace blessed by God. I want to be this alive too: growing in wisdom and grace. 

Hail Mary!

Mary was presented to God in the temple at age three. And at Mass there is the presentation of the bread and wine to be transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. There is nothing in our culture any more which invites transformation - only the transformation of how much weight I can lose with these pills over a weekend, or whose face can be transformed most successfully by surgery. But the best transformation is from hatred to kindness, justice, mercy and compassion. And when I have undergone that transformation, then I am free. But it begins with an oblation: a conscious offering of myself to God, who wants so much to grow-me-up in goodness.

Hail Mary!

We know almost nothing of the twelve years which the young Mary lived while in the temple. She lived with other girls. Widows helped to care for her. We can imagine Mary quite alone with God. Her life was lived with no publicity. God was building a living temple in which Jesus the Savior would live. God is heard in silence. But what did the young Mary hear? Surely God's law which says: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your whole mind." (Matthew 22:37,38)

Hail Mary!

Glory be to the Father...