Mary and the Prophecy

(Lk 2:32-40)

Our previous Bible text ended by telling us that Mary and Joseph marveled at the wonderful things that were being said about Jesus (2:33). In the continuation of the text we have just reflected on, they are certainly brought down to earth with a bump! Simeon blesses then and turns to Mary saying, “This child of yours will cause many people in Israel to fall and others to stand. The Child will be like a warning sign. Many people will reject him, and you Mary, will suffer as though you had be stabbed by a dagger.” (2:23-35).

St. Luke does not beat about the bush. He tells it like it is. Following Jesus necessarily leads us into conflict. Everyone must make a decision for or against God, and this is done not necessarily in words but in the practical reality of everyday life. He was rejected, and making a fundamental decision for Christ will certainly not guarantee a peaceful life. Problems are part of life, but they can have a positive side by eliciting strength from us that we did not know we possessed.

It should be no surprise that the way of prayer does have its problems. Prayer is a personal relationship with God and any relationship, specially this one, will change us in some way. God is not a comfort blanket or an instantly obedient hot water tap. God is the Creator of all that is, seen and unseen. Human reason can reach out towards the divine but we could know little of God without the revelation given to us in the history of the Chosen People and above all in Jesus Christ. Throughout the whole of the Bible we can read with amazement that God, who created us, wants to have a relationship with us, but in order to make us capable of receiving the fullness of life we must be prepared. Therefore, God leads us and purifies us. If our prayer does not lead us to consent to God’s action in our lives, there is something wrong.

My reflections:

Teresa of Avila talked about the pursuit of prayer as her avenue into an honest Christian life. Faithfulness to Jesus demands a continual search. We need to discover God’s word and embrace the divine will in our life. Simeon’s prophecy was a stark reality in Mary’s life. Her search for God’s word and her desire to do God’s drew her into the suffering and loss as part of the Christian journey.

In contrast to the clear message of the Gospels, much of today’s religious practice is in heavy pursuit of a comfortable life. God is seen as the great Provider to guarantee our plans for happiness. Often, these plans flow from the distorted Madison Avenue version of a successful life. Frequently, the Gospel message is a deeply twisted description of being blessed by our ability to participate in conspicuous consumption. This is far removed from the dagger in Mary’s heart on the journey with her Son to Jerusalem.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was called “blessed among women.” She was more worthy than all of God’s blessings. Yet, there she stood at the foot of the Cross in her most genuine expression of faith. The dagger could not be more painful in the depths of her gentle heart. Her journey to this point was drenched in confusion and bewilderment. But she remained ever-faithful in proclaiming, “be it done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)

This surrender in faith was the same at Bethlehem and Cana, in the rejection at Nazareth and in the moment of glory in the resurrection. At all times, God was the center. She was the faithful handmaid. Personal comfort and success were not the measure of her surrender. Possessions, power and prestige, whether great or small, were of no consequence to her. They were only of value if they led her deeper into the Mystery of Love that was revealed in her Son.

Mary’s life displayed the truth of Teresa’s saying that prayer and a comfortable life are not compatible. Both women showed that the true experience of God goes far beyond our distorted images of God as a benefactor offering false security in wealth and protection. True security is not in our financial plan. It is in a heart filled with faith, hope and love that transcends even death itself.

Despite all appearances, Mary understood that God had a better plan. In the midst of her many sufferings, she was rooted in a deep sense of joy. Being comfortable and truly happy are not the same.

Our life is a slow, tedious passage of letting go of our plans and dreams. Deep, personal prayer helps us to accept our life as it is with all its limits, faults and foibles. With faithfulness to prayer, we will gradually make our way to a glimmer of the freedom that guided Mary’s dagger-pierced heart. This allowed her to be the first to celebrate the victory with an Alleluia at the grave on Easter morn. Deep, personal prayer leads us to share that moment of glory. 

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[1] Joseph Chalmers, O. Carm., Let It Be: Praying the Scriptures in Company with Mary, the Mother of God (. Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom: St. Albert’s Press, 2010)