|
Christmas Blessings to each of you!
It is now Boxing Day, a day which for most people speaks the “end” of Christmas; however, for us, as Catholics – as Christians, this day should be marked as the beginning of another year, given to us as a gift in order to ponder the mystery of Christ and the birth of the Church (as person, body, structure and bride). As mentioned in my last letter, I would like to once again reflect upon Mary’s fiat. However, this month, in accord with the season of Christmas, I will focus upon the meaning of her resounding “yes” as regards the Catholic Church – the Church born from the water and blood of the side of Christ (Jn 19).
I have just finished reading a profound essay, by Sister Thomas Mary McBride, O.P entitled: “Mary Archetype of the Church According to Hans Von Balthasar” (www.christendom-awake.org/pages/mcbride/mary-vonb.htm). In continuation with my letter from last month, I will predominantly use the thought of von Balthasar, as taken from the essay by Sr. McBride in order to bring to light Mary as archetype (ideal model / that which something else is shaped after) of the Church as regards her fiat. Last month my reflection focused upon the Marian fiat as the proper response of all Christians (that of unreserved surrender to the will of God, in light of the gift /gratitude structure of reality). I would now like to dig a bit deeper, to explore Mary as the “real symbol” of the Church. In her essay, Sister McBride states that “drawing on the Fathers and Tradition, von Balthasar presents the Virgin of Nazareth as the individual woman who personifies and is the very epitome of the Church in her essential bridal (meaning of the body) self-surrender to God. The whole life of Mary is embodied in the perfect consent ‘that allows all’…”(pg 3). In this light we must see that Mary’s yes has an essential role in defining the Church – her fiat and Christ’s self surrender (“Not my will but yours”) for the sake of the redemption of humanity are interwoven. Mary’s yes, allowed Christ’s yes – it enabled the birth of Christ – the entrance of redemption and the formation of the Church on earth. However, Mary’s yes was only made possible by her having been preserved by Christ (as the Immaculate Conception) from the foundations of the world, in light of His redemption of all humanity through the Cross.
Mary was chosen from before the foundation of the world to be the Mother of Christ – the Mother of the Church. Thus, upon uttering her fiat, she opened herself in order that all people may be gathered together - “the community, the Catholica, is already present in her Yes” (pg 21). Through Mary’s yes at the moment of the Annunciation, all humanity (past, present and future) are gathered together in her – for she opens herself to the One who comes to redeem all people and thus all of created history. Thus, Mary’s role from that day forward is to point the way to her Son and to be an image of the Church, whom Christ’s institutes as the structure on earth, who will continue to gather all people together until He comes again. “The perfect faith-filled fiat of Mary is an agreement of her whole person ‘to the bottom-most fibers’ of her humanity, a Yes without limits, a placing of her whole life at God’s disposal, a complete readiness for all that God might require of her. Here in the original incarnation is the origin of the Church. Mary’s archetypal fiat, her fundamental ‘preference of the absolute’ must find an echo in every member of the Body of Christ”(pg 21). Mary, in her fiat, points to the utter mystery and beauty of Christ and in turn the Church – a mystery and a beauty that only becomes clearer through prayer and contemplation. We are called by Christ, to look at His Mother, to contemplate her yes and in turn to open our hearts in the same self-giving way, as members of His one body – the Church. Mary has an indispensable role as regards the foundation of the Church, though we must always remember that her role never comes before Christ, but always points us towards Him. We enter more fully into the mystery of faith, the mystery of this season when we allow ourselves to be led by Jesus to Mary and in turn by Mary to Jesus. Mother and Son point to each other, for each one reflects the glory of God and the mystery of the Church.
May you be filled with the wonder of this Christmas Season and may this wonder continue throughout all your days.
God bless, Jen
|