Rector's Ruminations, November 4, 2021

 

Rector’s Ruminations November 4, 2021 Dear Seminary Community, Greetings from the Mount! So much has been happening on Mary’s Mountain that I just don’t know if there is enough room in an email to write about it. Seminarians did several exciting things during their Fall Break (October 2-10). Some went camping, others joined Msgr. Heintz and me in the Diocese of Ogdensburg, NY, for the diaconate ordination of Leagon Carlin and his father (to the permanent diaconate). Seminarians John Winslow and John Brusa had the opportunity to join Bishop Reed, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, on the CatholicTV Network speaking about Blessed Carlos Acutis.  A group of seminarians spent the first days of their fall break on the Evangelization Mission Trip. It was held at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, with the very able guidance of two Mount grads, Fr. Brian Crenwelge and Fr. Phillip Szabo, who are the pastor and parochial vicar respectively at the local parish and center for campus ministry. Our seminarians carried out “street evangelization” by engaging with students on campus in conversations about faith. There were many grace-filled encounters which culminated with a Eucharistic procession on campus. Between October 11 and 13 Bishop Louis Tylka, coadjutor Bishop of Peoria, made his second visit to the Seminary. He celebrated Mass for the entire Seminary community. Since the Bishop Jenky baseball game between the Diocese of Peoria and the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend was such a “hit” last year, it has become a classic and a tradition. The 2nd Annual Bishop Jenky Classic was played on October 12. Bishop Tylka threw out the first pitch (a strike) and his Peoria men went on to win the game. Following Bishop Tylka’s visit, we were blessed with a visit from Archbishop William Lori, S’77, Archbishop of Baltimore. He had the opportunity to visit with each of his seminarians and then we were honored to have him celebrate Mass that afternoon. Family Weekend was October 22-24. We had 140 family members and 50 seminarians participate in the events. It was wonderful to see so many parents and family members in person this year. Parents and family members had the opportunity to hear from formators about the formation process and the daily life of the seminarians. If you would like to see some of the images from the weekend, thanks to seminarian Michael Pray, we have a slideshow. Just click here: 2021 Seminary Family Weekend Slideshow - Large 540p.mov We had two big house socials in the past month. One to celebrate Columbus Day and another called “Oktoberfest.” Our lives at the Mount are filled with much prayer and study but we also need time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.  On October 28 we welcomed Fr. Gene Ritz, chancellor of the great Diocese of Allentown (I’m from Allentown so that’s why I say “great”) and co-postulator of the cause of canonization of the Servant of God, Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ. Fr. Ciszek spent 15 years in confinement and hard labor in Russia as he simultaneously ministered clandestinely to the faithful. He was finally able to return to the United States in 1963. He is the author of “With God in Russia” and “He Leadeth Me,” both of which provide a powerful witness to his work in Russia and the power of God’s grace. Fr. Ritz provided some moving insights into Fr. Ciszek’s heroic life and work in Russia. He is an inspiration to all, especially to seminarians. We are looking forward to November 18-19. Bishop Stephen Parkes of the Diocese of Savannah, GA, will lead us in a day of recollection and then be the main celebrant of the Mass of Candidacy. Candidacy will be given to the seminarians in First Theology, and it is considered to be the indication that a seminarian has finished the Discipleship Stage (Pre-theology or College Seminary) and that his bishop accepts him as a candidate for Holy Orders as he enters into the Stage of Theological Studies or the Configuration Stage of formation. Finally, the Mount is planning for a special conference in January. The new universal guidelines for priestly formation (called the Ratio Fundamentalis) calls for a Propaedeutic (meaning “preparatory”) Stage of formation. This stage will take place before a seminarian would enter Pre-theology. We are planning a Roundtable at the Mount bringing together our partner vocation directors and others to discuss, exchange ideas, and begin thinking more deeply about this stage of formation. It will take place January 17-18, 2022. Please pray for its success. May Our Lady, Queen of the Mount, continue to watch over our Seminary community.  In Christ, Msgr. Andrew Baker Rector

Mount St. Mary's Seminary

 

Homily for the Solemnity of St. Joseph, 2021

 

Solemnity of St. Joseph: Matthew 1: 16, 18-21, 24a

Regarding St. Joseph, one scholar says, “Men of our time do not see the figure of Joseph as sufficiently interesting to consider it worth a more detailed examination” (Suarez, 14).

We, however, think differently. We are not only interested but fascinated with St. Joseph. Let’s begin a journey of discovery.

The Bible speaks of Joseph as a just man, as a carpenter or craftsman, and as a father. What does each of these attributes mean for us?

Mt. 1: 19: Joseph was a just (or “righteous”) man

First, Joseph was a just man or “righteous” man as the translation of today’s Gospel says.

Being “just” means he was a man of the covenant. He was in right relationship with God. In essence, it means that he was a holy observer of the Law.

But I think there is something more revealed to us in today’s Gospel than just a generic description of a just man. He was just but in a certain way.

St. Matthew tells us that “since he was a just man,” he decided to put Mary away quietly. Notice, I did not say “divorce” her. ἀπολύω (apolyō) is a verb in Greek that means to give leave, or even to forgive. It is probably better translated, “to put her away privately” or, as the RSV says, “to send her away quietly.”

But how can Joseph be described as “just” because he wanted to send Our Lady away quietly?

For Joseph, in being a just man, sending Mary away quietly needed to avoid, first of all, any indication of an indiscretion on Mary’s part. Joseph knew the Immaculate Virgin better than anyone. He could not have concluded that she had sinned. At the same time, Joseph could not see how he was part of this supernatural event and divine plan so he needed to remove himself from the equation. How could he do both?

Federico Suarez in his book “Joseph of Nazareth” provides a wonderful explanation. Sending Mary away “meant simply avoiding the issue, leaving unfulfilled the marriage to which he had solidly committed himself with the betrothal ceremony.”

You see, Joseph had not yet brought Mary into his home. They were legally married, but the process was not yet complete. If Joseph sends her away, he does not fulfill his legal obligation. His lack of action will reflect badly on him but not on Mary.

Suarez concludes, “with this solution, Our Lady would not now be a rejected wife but an abandoned wife. Not a woman marked out by sin, but one marked by misfortune. Not a woman expiating a misdeed, but one who suffers for someone else’s misdeed.” (Suarez, Joseph of Nazareth, 44-45)

Joseph found a solution that preserves Mary’s reputation, puts the blame on himself because he would be seen as not fulfilling his duty and abandoning his wife and child, and does not interfere with God’s will. He is willing to quietly suffer this indignation from others for the sake of preserving Mary’s good reputation. It is the choice of a truly just man.

In the end Joseph discovers that he is part of the divine plan. Thus, he does not need to put the blame on anyone. Whatever his fear, it disappears as soon as the angel tells Joseph of how he has a role in God’s mysterious plan of salvation.

Dealing with ambiguity and confusion, preserving the good name of others, willing to suffer so that others do not have to, and, in all things, discerning and following God’s will not matter the cost, is who a “just” man is. This man is St. Joseph, and this man should be you and me.

Mt. 13: 55; Mk. 6: 3: Joseph was a carpenter or craftsman

Joseph is also called a carpenter of craftsman. The word the Gospels use is “téktōn,” a common term used for artisans, craftsmen, and woodworkers (so, yes, it can translate as “carpenter”). The Latin translation of “faber,” preserves the broader meaning and is a general term used for workers and craftsmen.

Pope Francis reminds us that “working persons, whatever their job may be, are cooperating with God himself, and in some way become creators of the world around us… Saint Joseph’s work reminds us that God himself, in becoming man, did not disdain work.”

Joseph knew intimately the world of manual labor. With his skills he could provide for the Holy Family. He even traveled to Egypt without a truck! He worked hard, long hours not as an end in itself, but for Jesus and Mary.

The world of work needs to recapture its supernatural direction.

All noble work, no matter its level of importance in the world, is capable of being an offering to God. When we do it well, with a keen sense of how it serves others, and we put love into it, it becomes a sweet-smelling offering to the Lord

Joseph had projects and clients. He had to order materials and care for his tools. He practiced order and timeliness. He knew the importance of getting it right and according to specifications given to him by others.

He was a proud craftsman of his work and did it well as an offering to the Lord, the Lord that worked with him under his roof.

The work of a priest, while not considered manual labor, is sacred. Priestly ministry involves preaching and the celebration of the sacrament, which needs to be done well.

Priestly ministry also involves paperwork, meetings, mundane conversations, and long hours. It demands unseen menial tasks and hidden visits to the hospital and nursing homes. A priest’s work can be thankless and sometime even despised. No matter. Like Joseph, we are spiritual “craftsmen” who receive from God’s providence and offer back to Him a people redeemed by His love.

Lk. 2: 48: Joseph was a father

Finally, Joseph was a father. Our Lady simple says in the Gospel of Luke, “Your father and I have been looking for you.” There is no adjective like “foster father,” “adoptive father,” or “earthly father.” All of these are legitimate adjectives, but Our Lady uses none of them. Joseph is simply “father.”

Now, we know that he is not the biological father of Jesus. But he was father in every other sense.

God the Father’s choice for who would be the father on earth for His Son Jesus was a choice for someone who could best reflect His fatherhood in the world. This man needed to protect the savior, even save the savior from Herod. This man needed to raise the Son of God in all the ways of faith, of culture, of language, of work, of relationships, of affections, of virtues, etc. In other words, this man needed to represent God the Father in the most perfect way possible. Joseph was that man.

Two particular moments in the Gospel illustrate Joseph’s fatherhood, the Circumcision and the Finding in the Temple.

At the circumcision, Joseph had the ritual duty to name the child. He was charged by the angel to name Him Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins” (Mt. 1: 21). On bestowing the name on the child, Joseph revealed to the world that he was acting as father and filling in or standing in for the heavenly Father.

Every father on earth, especially a priest, stands in for God the Father.

When he and his wife find Jesus in the Temple, Joseph hears the direct words of his 12-year-old son, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk. 2: 49). Joseph learns in the Temple that there are limits within which he can exercise his fatherly authority. Joseph had authority over Jesus but only in so far as it aided the mission given to Jesus by his heavenly Father.

Every father on earth, especially a priest, knows that his ability and authority have limits and that God the Father’s authority and activity of grace are preeminent in the life of every soul. Fathers must know what they can and cannot do and leave the rest to God the Father. He is Father of us all.

After Mass a number of us will formally consecrate ourselves to God through St. Joseph. It is simply a way of recognizing his role as a just man, craftsman, and father in my life. It is a way to “enter into” the spirit and power of Joseph and deepen our love and dedication to Our Lady and our complete self-giving to Christ.

As we continue in the Year of St. Joseph, I pray that the great Patron of the Church will be your and you will be his more deeply. I pray that you and I will be able to better live as St. Joseph did as a just man, as a craftsman, and as a father.

Rector’s Ruminations, July 31, 2020

 

Rector’s Ruminations

 July 31, 2020

Dear Seminary Community,

As the summer break comes to an end, I have some exciting news to share with all of you. We all know that Ms. Julia Parker can never be replaced but we are excited to welcome to the Seminary community Mr. Nicholas J. Will as the new Seminary Organist and Director of Liturgical Music. He has recently been the Director of Liturgical Music at the North American College in Rome and he is Founder and President of the Saint Gregory Institute of Sacred Music. Welcome Mr. Will!

I am also happy to announce that Fr. Lee Gross will have a special assistant this year in the person of Fr. Diego Ruiz, I.V.E. Fr. Ruiz will be the Assistant Dean of Men, lending a hand to Fr. Gross and sharing the work of the Dean of Men.

If you have been following the Seminary Facebook page, you will know that Archbishop Lori recently received permission from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments in Rome to insert in the liturgical calendar of the Archdiocese of Baltimore the optional memorial of Blessed Stanley Rother. The Congregation has also granted the indult for the Mass in honor of Blessed Stanley to be celebrated in St. Bernard’s Chapel for priests who are part of a pilgrimage or for priests who celebrate Mass for the benefit of the members of a pilgrimage. We are grateful to the Holy Father for this tremendous honor.

Starting Monday, August 3, a group of administrators, staff, faculty, and seminarians will begin a Strategic Planning Summit led by the Center for Catholic School Excellence. We will consider the responses that many of you gave during the multiple focus groups conducted this past year. We will complete our work on Wednesday, August 5, and will produce the first draft of our new five-year Seminary Strategic Plan (2021-2026), which we will be sharing with the Seminary community this fall for your feedback. Please pray for this endeavor.

We will soon be welcoming to Mary’s Mountain many new seminarians and one priest-student – Fr. Juan Garcia. Fr. Garcia has been serving the Hispanic community in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for the past few years. He has been assigned by Archbishop Lori to the Mount as a full time English as a Second Language (ESL) student. He will be a member of our community for this year as he experiences a total immersion into the English language, giving him an opportunity to strengthen his language skill so as to better serve both the Hispanic and English speaking communities in the Archdiocese.

After such a long and unusual hiatus, I am looking forward to the Seminary being once again full of seminarians. New seminarians arrive Sunday, August 9, during the afternoon. On Wednesday, August 12, the First Theologians arrive for an integration activity which will take place on Thursday with new seminarians in their class. All other returning seminarians will arrive on Thursday, August 13 in time for Mass at 7:15 pm with Archbishop Lori.  

Life on campus during the next few months will be different due to the various COVID-19 adaptations. As I said to the seminarians in my Zoom meeting a few weeks ago, we are trying to manage the risk and still have priestly formation in person. We have devised many ways to “protect” ourselves and others from the spread of the virus but, as I was praying about the beginning of the semester, I sensed that God was asking us not to forget the power of prayer as a way to protect ourselves. So, I now ask the entire Seminary Community to pray daily (if possible, even more than daily) the Memorare, invoking Our Lady, Queen of the Mount, to protect the entire Seminary community from the virus. Let us pray this prayer until the risk of COVID-19 has subsided:

MEMORARE

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Our Lady. Queen of the Mount, pray for us.

In Christ,

    Msgr. Andrew Baker

Homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 2019

Introduction

One of the finest features of this chapel is the large, stained glass window of the Immaculate Conception in the choir loft. I must admit, it is one of my favorite features.

At certain times of the year, the window is clouded in complete darkness as we begin Morning Prayer. As the minutes tick by and we move into Mass the rising sun from the East inches its way above the horizon and the first rays of dawn hit the multi-colored glass. Throughout Mass, the sun slowly reveals the figure of the Immaculate Conception until the entire window is filled with brilliant light that cascades into the nave and sanctuary of the chapel.

Darkness to light

The first noticeable aspect of the window is the movement from darkness to light. God begins His work of salvation – the movement of darkness to light – in Mary.

Our feast today speaks of a special privilege that illustrates the movement from the darkness of Original Sin to the light of salvation.

With the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Church confesses what she has believed from the beginning: Our Lady was “from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.”[1]

One of the bishops invited by Pope Pius IX to the declaration of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 was St. John Neumann. Neumann wrote to his father in Bohemia that he was coming over to Europe for the declaration and his father wrote back: “Why do they have to bring American bishops to Rome to tell us that the most holy Virgin was conceived without sin when we have always believed it here?”

In her, the rays of the Son of God first dispel the darkness of sin.

We heard in the first reading from the Book of Genesis that immediately after the fall of Adam and Eve, God declared to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel” (Gen 3:15).

At that moment of darkness, which covered all of humanity because of the pride of Adam and Eve, God does not abandon us. He promises a coming light – a Savior who will strike at Satan’s head. God gives hope to humanity by promising that the light will come through a woman – a Savior will be born of her – and she will be at enmity with the serpent.

In her, we see the divine work of darkness to light.

Full of light - Mary

The second things you notice about the stained glass window is that as the light enters, the figure of Mary becomes clear. God becoming flesh gives meaning to Mary’s whole life.

It is only by way of the light that she becomes illuminated. She cannot be known without the light. She only becomes clear because of the light. She can only fulfill her mission by allowing the light to pass through her.

In our Gospel the Archangel Gabriel reveals the God-given name of Mary. He calls her “full of grace,” kecharitoméne in Greek. The word is difficult to translate and certainly “highly-favored one” doesn’t do it justice. It is the only instance in Scripture in which the name is ever used. The best translation I have seen is “one who has been abundantly the object of grace.” “Kecharitoméne:” It is a unique name, a unique title, for a unique being in the economy of salvation.

Mary can only be truly seen and understood in the light of grace. On her own, she is nothing. She is simply a “handmaid.” She is “greatly troubled” by Gabriel’s greeting because she sees herself as nothing. But grace has enlightened her. Her very figure, her very being, comes to light because the morning sun, the “Son of the Most High,” has become flesh in her womb.

This is her vocation – her reason for being – and it is only known when the light of the world arrives.

In preparation for the light of divine grace to dispel the darkness of sin, God prepared her from the beginning of her existence. He prepared each colored glass, placed them in perfect position, giving her the privilege of being “endowed with the rich fullness of your grace,” as the Preface of today’s Mass professes.

It is grace that gives Mary her vocation and her very name.

Shining on the greatest light - Christ

Finally, the light of day illuminates the figure of Mary and enters the chapel ultimately to shine on the altar. Mary’s whole life is to shine on Christ.

St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians that God the Father “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” The great privilege of the Immaculate Conception has one purpose. It is not about Mary. It is about Jesus. It is to prepare “a worthy dwelling for your Son,” as the Collect says.

Mary’s whole existence gives way to Christ. She, like to moon, keeps no light for herself but reflects the sun to others. She exists for the praise of Christ’s glory. She gives her “fiat” so that the flow of Christ’s life will shine in this world and illuminate our darkness. Her life is not her own. It is literally Christ living in her.

Throughout her life, Mary will renew her mission to shine on Christ. At the Magi’s visit, she uncovers her Son wrapped in swaddling clothes. She tells the servants at Cana to do “whatever he tells you.” As she stood weeping on Calvary, her tears point toward the salvific suffering of Christ.

The humble transparency of Our Lady constantly points to Our Lord for her whole life shines on Him.

Conclusion

In my position as celebrant or concelebrant in the sanctuary, I can easily see the beautiful stained glass window of the Immaculate Conception during Mass. Unfortunately, most of you cannot. However, this only seems just because the faithful are in a Marian position at Mass. Just as she allows Divine grace to flow through her and directs her gaze toward Him, so too our whole life must do the same.

The angel departs from Our Lady’s presence in today’s Gospel because his mission is over. He asked the virgin’s consent to be the perfect stained glass window for the Son to enter the world. She said “yes” and Christ became flesh. We now ask her to intercede for us. We, unlike her, are not without blemish, but it is still God’s will that we say “yes” to Him and be a stained glass window of grace.

“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

---

[1] CCC, 491

Rector's Ruminations, November 19, 2018

Rector’s Ruminations

November 19, 2018

Dear Seminary Community,

Grátias tibi, Deus, grátias tibi. We have much for which to give thanks and I give thanks for all of you and for the grace that we all have to be here at the Mount.

Much has been happening these past few week, especially last week. We had a beautiful Byzantine Rite Liturgy celebrated by our own Fr. Lee Gross. The Byzantine schola did a fantastic job in leading us in sacred music and chant. Indeed, to echo the words of the delegates of Prince Vladimir of Kiev, “We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth.”

Despite the early rise on Friday morning due to “wet steam” causing a steam valve to pour out so much steam that it set the fire alarm off, we had a very prayerful Day of Recollection. We were privileged to have the relic of the heart of St. John Vianney with us for an entire day and we are grateful to the Knights of Columbus, Deacon Andrew St. Hilaire, and Msgr. Cummings for organizing the visit. It was a clear reminder to me of the famous phrase of the Cure d’Ars – “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.”

Friday was also the faculty In-Service Day. We had an insightful presentation from Fr. Tad Pacholczyk from the National Catholic Bioethics Center on Humanae Vitae and also on the topic of gender and the many moral and cultural issues surrounding gender ideology which Pope Francis has called “the annihilation of man as the image of God.”

We give thanks to Bishop Mark Brennan, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, who conferred Candidacy on 45 of our seminarians. Moving forward we will follow the practice of conferring Candidacy on those beginning the Configuration Stage of priestly formation in first theology.

This past Saturday the “Go Forth” mission served a record number of households (138) and brought food for Thanksgiving to a total of 369 people. With the help of 48 deliverers, including undergraduates from the iLead program, and $2,250 of donations, many of the local poor received the charity of Christ and sustenance for the holiday. Many thanks to Robby Renner and his organizing team for their hard work.

Msgr. Frontiero, Diane Favret, and I had the privilege to attend the Archdiocese of Military Service Benefit Dinner this past Saturday evening. It began with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Broglio and served by some of our co-sponsored seminarians. Mass was followed by a delicious dinner. Archbishop Broglio gave the Mount a “shout out” when he announced to the attendees that the Mount was represented at the dinner and that we have the largest number of co-sponsored seminarians of any seminary in the country.

After Thanksgiving on the First Sunday of Advent we will begin using the St. Michael Prayer at all Seminary Masses after the dismissal. More than 12 dioceses have instituted the regular praying of the Prayer to St. Michael in order to beg his protection against the evil one and for the protection of the Church. Other dioceses have done so for a specific period of time.

Upcoming events include the cookie baking party on December 1, the Open House and Office of Vigils on December 2, the Christmas Dinner and entertainment on December 7, and, of course, the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Unfortunately, I will not be able to join the community for the Christmas Dinner because of a wedding rehearsal for a former parishioner of mine, but I look forward to celebrating the Mass for the Immaculate Conception.

May the Lord continue to bless each of you and your families this Thanksgiving. “The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness” (St. Gianna Beretta Molla).

In Christ,

    Msgr. Andrew Baker

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Luke 1: 26-38

Introduction

An orchestra is only as good as its harmony. A single wrong note can completely ruin the beauty and joy of any song. In the Book of Genesis we hear God conducting the harmony of His creation and he introduces two protagonists, Adam and Eve, to whom he gives the ability to follow his musical score and direction or not. Unfortunately, it only takes them until the third chapter of the first book of the Bible to strike the wrong note.

Original Sin

Original Sin is a note of pride, mistrust, and arrogance. It is a note embodying the cry of the serpent, “Non serviam,” “I will not serve.” And it rings out over all creation and into the depths of humanity causing enmity between God and man.

Adam and Eve notice this disharmony in their nakedness. Before sin entered the world, they gazed upon each other with purity of heart. Now their gaze has been distorted – their hearts soiled by sin. As a result, the serpent is sent crawling away and humanity is banished from the garden.

But, in the hands of a master conductor, the wrong note can be the first note in a new song.

Genesis predicts the restoration of the orchestra. “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel,” we hear in the first reading. The plan of restoration and the beginning of a new song for humanity starts in the conception of a young girl by the name of Miriam, the daughter of Joachim and Anne. By way of the future merits of her divine son, Mary begins her existence free from the effects of the wrong note.

She is full of grace, the angel tells us, precisely because nothing of her is in the serpent and nothing of the serpent is in her. She and he are at “enmity.”

God brings about His victory

In Mary, the Immaculate Conception, we see how God brings about his victory and the restoration of harmony through the anawim or holy remnant of Israel.

St. Paul say to the Ephesians that God has had a plan for us “before the foundation of the world.” He destined us to be his adopted children and “to be holy and without blemish before him.” We were meant to be like the lambs of sacrifice which are brought to the Temple without blemish; that is, without sin.

Yet, mankind strayed from holiness. But God will not be defeated. He forms a rescue mission. He has a plan of salvation. He sets apart an anawim – a holy remnant – who remains faithful to Him. The word in Hebrew means “those who are bowed down.”

Mary is the exemplar of this holy remnant. She is the embodiment of the true Zion, the pure living dwelling place of God. She is the perfect house for God. Her life boldly proclaims that God has not failed.

She says “yes” to the Lord and becomes his living Temple. Through her, the Temple presence of God, stifled in the garden of Eden, breaks forth definitively into the world. Her immaculate conception is a living sign and beacon of the new note that God has used to start a new song and restore harmony to his creation. In her begins the glorious victory of grace and holiness.

Sin and death are not the last word. He comes to us through Mary to bear our sins to death. It is through Mary that God takes humanity’s defeat and turns it into divine victory.

Man trusts God again

In Mary, mankind also begins to trust God again.

Adam and Eve think that God, in some way, is taking something away from them. They harbor suspicion and mistrust in the garden. They view God to be a rival. When they taste the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they are reaching out to shape the world by themselves. To make themselves into a god. They trust in deceit rather than in truth.

Mary on the other hand completely reverses this wrong note. She is totally dependent upon God and trusts him implicitly. She gives herself over to him completely and will do nothing but His will – not her own. She profoundly recognizes that her very existence, every breath, is dependent upon Him. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

The non serviam of the serpent becomes the serviam of the handmaid. If we live in opposition to God, if we view him as our enemy, then we end up destroying not only ourselves but the world.

On the other hand, if the devil is at enmity with us and we with him, it means that our friendship with God is governed by our total “fiat.” We love him. We trust him, and we depend on him for everything. This is not only a good way to live our lives. It is a life in accord with who we are. While we say that the Immaculate Conception is an exception to humanity's fate, in fact, the Immaculate Conception is the premier example of what it means to be fully human. In her God brings about his victory and restoration of humanity and, in her, humanity turns back to Him in complete dependence and trust.

Conclusion

On our patronal feast day we give thanks to God for Our Lady. Whenever we look toward the stain glass window which graces the front of this church, we see the brightness of light shining through. We can only make out the image of the Blessed Mother if there is light shining through. It is no accident that the light first hits the choir loft. The light that is Christ shines through the Immaculate Mother in order to restore the harmony torn asunder by Adam’s sin. The light that is Christ shines through the Immaculate Mother in order to raise our voices to heaven. The light that is Christ shines through the Immaculate Mother in order to take the wrong note of sin and death and begin a new song – the song of redemption. 

Bishop Knestout is the new Bishop of Richmond

The Mount Community rejoices in the appointment of Bishop Barry Knestout, a 1989 graduate of the Mount, as the new Bishop of Richmond, Virginia.

http://adw.org/2017/12/05/pope-names-washington-auxiliary-bishop-barry-c-knestout-bishop-richmond/