1 Timothy1:15-17; Psalm 113; Luke 6: 43-49
Our liturgists who relegate this feast to “ferial” forget the importance of the name in Jewish religion. By chance (or by all things working together for good), the readings can fit Mary. The first reading tells of sin, but especially of God’ s mercy, which Mary lauded in her Magnificat, mercy from generation to generation. The psalm too, in which God is praised for raising the poor from the dung heap, is echoed in the Magnificat. The Alleluia verse is Jesus’ promise, fulfilled in Mary, that all who keep (ponder) his words will be filled with God’ s love and presence, made flesh in Jesus. Finally, Jesus tells a parable of a house built on rock, like someone who hears his words and acts on them, like someone who digs deeply. Again, Mary. If Jesus is the cornerstone, is she not the rock, the foundation on which he was built, through whom he was taught and formed?
Mary dug deeply into God’ s word as spoken by Gabriel, Elizabeth, Joseph, Simeon. She pondered the word. How has pondering God’ s word in the daily liturgy changed you? What further transformation do you want? Ask for it.
You have come to us so often, faithful Jesus, in so many ways. Help us to find you in all things, in all people, especially the ones whom our religions and societies spurn.