Be

September 15, 2018

As I was reflecting on today’s gospel, it occurred to me that the word “be” has been a significant bookend/anchor in the life of Mary. From her initial encounter with the Angel Gabriel to her final farewell with her son to ultimately in her meeting Jesus after his resurrection: “How can this be?” “Be it done unto me according to your word”, “Woman, behold your son”, “Peace be with you”, “Be not afraid”. Perhaps this word, “be”, can also serve as a central theme for us in our spiritual lives.  Being is our very basic call to be fully alive. We don’t need to “do” anything to earn His love, His favor, or His attention. Our being is our essence and that essence is unique to each and every one of us. God has created us out of His pure and unconditional love to “be” that unique, irreplaceable, perfect work of art. To “be” is to “be” loved and to love. Then why is it so hard? The world replaces the word “be” with the word “do” and then we suddenly find ourselves becoming defined by works, or titles, or resumes, or popularity, or accomplishments, etc. Doing is not God’s vision for us…be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). 

How can I incorporate this into my spiritual life? When I pray I can ask, “How can this be?” giving God my concerns and asking Him to show me how. When I’m in doubt I can say, “Let it be done according to your will and not mine.” Obedience is the key to spiritual freedom, which seems like a contradiction doesn’t it, but obedience to God’s will sets us free (LOL, the word oBEdience has the word “be” in it!!). When I am sad, or in despair, and need to lay my burdens down at the foot of the cross, I need to listen when Jesus says, “Be-hold each other.” We are the hands and feet of Christ and we need to “be” Jesus by holding each other up in times of darkness, loneliness, suffering, and loss. When I’m in the battle, I need to hear, “Peace be with you.” When others are in turmoil, I need to bring, “Peace be with you.” Jesus offers a greeting of peace in every encounter most especially after the resurrection and our call is to allow that peace to “be” our greeting as well. Finally, when I’m afraid, insecure, anxious, or weary, I need to “be not afraid.” This last “be” requires trust, which comes from a living faith, which comes from “being” held in my relationship with God.

Today, Mary and John (the beloved one) teach us a beautiful way of living: behold Him, be held, be light, be mercy, be peace, be not afraid, be forgiveness, be still, be love, be obedient, be holy, and be well. The best news about today’s message is that we don’t have to “do” anything, just “be” and it is well with my soul. 

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
Lectionary: 442/639

Reading 1 1 COR 10:14-22

My beloved ones, avoid idolatry.
I am speaking as to sensible people;
judge for yourselves what I am saying.
The cup of blessing that we bless,
is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ?
The bread that we break,
is it not a participation in the Body of Christ?
Because the loaf of bread is one,
we, though many, are one Body,
for we all partake of the one loaf.

Look at Israel according to the flesh;
are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?
So what am I saying?
That meat sacrificed to idols is anything?
Or that an idol is anything?
No, I mean that what they sacrifice,
they sacrifice to demons, not to God,
and I do not want you to become participants with demons.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons.
You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.
Or are we provoking the Lord to jealous anger?
Are we stronger than him?

Responsorial Psalm PS 116:12-13, 17-18

R. (17) To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary;
without dying you won the Martyr's crown
beneath the Cross of the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."
Then he said to the disciple,
"Behold, your mother."
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.