Being, Doing (Immaculate Conception 2010-12-08)

This is my homily for Wednesday 8 December 2010 (Immaculate Conception) for the on-campus Sunday Mass (7:30 p.m.) of Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Teaneck, NJ. Mass is every Sunday during Fall 2010 + Spring 2011 semesters. I am the Catholic campus minister for this campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association.

[__01___] Today, December 8, is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It happens to fall during these weeks of Advent and winter – times of darkness, stillness, and prayer. And, in prayer, we meditate not only God’s action … but also on God’s identity.

The same is true for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We might consider not only what Mary does and says but also who Mary is. This feast of the Immaculate Conception reminds us of Mary’s role as Mother of God.

And, as we know, we come to know our mothers not only through what they do (in some materially productive way) but also for who they are. For we also come to share who they are, their very nature. For regardless of the origins of our relationship to our mothers, our mothers share not only their actions with us … they not only do for us. They also simply are; they simply exist.

And, this is the reason for our devotion to Mary who also shares her nature, her human nature with Christ. She simply is.

[__02___] This feast of the Immaculate Conception reminds us that God generously shares his divine life – not only as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – but also joins the life of his own Son to a human mother Mary …and through Mary, makes all of us his adopted brothers and sisters. If Christ is our spiritual brother by baptism, then Mary is also our mother. And, one does not become a mother – or become a child – to a mother by one’s productivity … or even one’s own choice.

This relationship simply exists – and is to be received.

We are certainly tempted to view our relationships otherwise.

That is, we seek what others can do – or produce – for us. And, if we expect things unreasonable or if we always expect to be pleased, then, we may grow suspicious or envious.
Other people – and relationships – do not exist for our pleasure or profit.

[__03___] Our readings today remind us of the need to accept relationships as they are.

Sometimes, we desire something that is simply not in God’s plan.
Also, we are reminded to be discerning about who we listen to. Whom can we really trust?

Into any relationship – no matter how strong or emotionally satisfying at first – may will creep in doubt, suspicion about the true motives of another person.

[__04___] In the Book of Genesis, we might see the start of some suspicion. It begins with a numerical inventory, a statement about percentages, and, a lie. We sometimes say that statistics lie … but, in fact, liars lie. And, the serpent uses statistics to uproot one tree and plant the seeds of discontent and envy.

What Satan the statistician suggest?

To Eve he says, did God really say that you may not eat of any of the trees? (zero percent)

And to the serpent, Eve replies, realizing she is better at math than the serpent “no it is only of the tree in the middle of the garden that we may not eat.”

Through this conversation, about numbers, percentages, and comparisons, the serpent is able to draw a distorted image of God. The serpent presents God as jealous … and somewhat unstable in his commandments.

And, Adam and Eve give in to this idea themselves. Regarding God – whom they once loved – they are now jealous and envious of him and, soon, each other.

Genesis reminds us to be careful whom we trust …and whom we listen to.

[__05___] We have access to more and more information. But, does all of this – really – make us more discerning, more careful about how we use information? Or, do we overload on information? Do we also measure others by their productivity, by what they have done for us lately? Can we, rather, love them for who they are?

[__06___] In the Gospel, we encounter Mary is a model in this regard. She has been taken by surprise by the angel Gabriel. Yet, over the course of her life, Mary has come to understood God’s promise and faithfulness.

Justifiably would Mary have had questions about how this would all work out.

What we celebrate today is the not only what Mary does … about how Mary co-creates with God, the Savior of the world. What we also remember is who Mary is, her patience, her strength. Isn’t it beautiful when we can offer a generous and unreserved Yes also – or when someone gives us their commitment.

In this way, we are not only promising to do something, we are also promising to be someone, and turn our desires for productivity over to Almighty God, for whom nothing is impossible. [__end__]