January 29, 2011 THE WOMAN OF GLORY
In Father Francis' absence, he has chosen several of his articles to be re-printed.
Two Christian names seem to compete for attention in my family – Mary and Francis. My Mum, my eldest sister and my younger sister are called Mary. My dad, my elder-brother and I are christened Francis. I’ve often wondered why my parents did not cast their sight more broadly for more patron saint names.
As we celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption last Monday it suddenly dawned on me what a huge influence Mary has had on me through the lens of my mum’s life and my younger sister Mary.
The Assumption is a most beautiful feast to celebrate liturgically. I don’t know why in the U.S. it is not a holy day of obligation. But just think about it. It is the crown jewel in the life and theology of Our Blessed Mother as it has come to us by tradition. It complements the wonder of the Annunciation when Mary said Yes to God’s plan of salvation – the Word made Flesh.
Judging by what we read from the Infancy Narratives it was a tough one for Our Lady. Mary was an articulate, sensitive intelligent woman, asking questions of God’s messenger, making sure that she understood what was being asked of her. It was then and only then that she said her Yes to God. But what a definitive Yes that was. And why?
Mary never looked back. She repeated that response throughout a life time of sorrow, of pain, of trusting, of returning love for love. And this feast shows us that all was not in vain. At the end of her earthly life (pilgrimage) she was rewarded by being assumed into the communion of the Blessed Trinity. Where she is we are called to participate in that heavenly destiny.
Saying yes was not easy for mum as she struggled in poverty to raise ten children. One would have thought she would have reveled in the end as us kids grew up and were getting on in life. But just then she was struck by a stroke and for twenty-three years she was practically bed-ridden. And yet not withstanding her predicament I never saw a tear, a frown or a temper. It was the way of the cross lived in absolute surrender.
My younger sister Mary has a cherished dream -To be happily married and raise a child. Guess what. She is “happily” married but struggles with childbirth. She has been through multiple miscarriages. I see literary her pain but that is because she often pours out her soul when I am praying with her. Otherwise there is always a smile on her face—that resigned simplicity, that thoughtfulness that only goes to reassure me of who her patron saint and mum’s is. In spite of everything about St. Francis, I think the Marys in our family win big time.
Hail Mary, full of Grace.
~~Father Francis