PODCAST - Press sideways triangle below to
listen
Tuesday 23rd Week OT Nativity of Mary
The Institute
September 8, 2014 / Micah 5:1-4, Mt 1:18-23
MARY LEAST LIKELY ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Like Jesus’ birth in the least likely place of
Bethlehem, there is nothing in the birth of Mary to suggest she would be anyone
out of the ordinary
Ø
Like most of God’s special servants, she is born
in obscurity, and she seems destined to live in obscurity
Ø
But then the Annunciation changes all that
WITH MARY IT TAKES
FAITH +++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
We may envy those whom God calls directly, but
we should never assume that from that day forward they know exactly what God
expects of them
Ø
In Mary’s case, she is giving her assent to be
the mother of the Messiah…
Ø
But at the end of the day, she still ponders
what all of this might mean
Ø
Matthew illustrates the kind of trust Mary has
to place in God
Ø
As the angel speaks to Joseph, Mary is not even
present to argue her own case
Ø
With deep anxiety she waits for word from
Joseph, praying that somehow God will see her through all this
WITH US IT TAKES
FAITH ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Like Mary we too, as people of faith, wonder at
times where God intends to take us
Ø
And perhaps that uncertainty is the mark of
mature faith
Ø
Our own experience tells us that God doesn’t
light our path brilliantly
Ø
But we walk on anyway, sure that God is guiding
us to something important
Ø
With faith we grab hold of God’s hand as we
wander through life…
Ø
And like Mary, we walk, certain of only one
thing
Ø
That God will leas us safely through to
journey’s end, and beyond
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
With word and sacrament, with a community of
love and support, that faith is straightened
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
