Today we celebrate what William Wordsworth called, “our tainted nature's solitary boast." Our world today has very little to boast about so it is refreshing to know that there was someone in the history of humanity who deserved such an acclamation, none other than our own Blessed Virgin Mary, our heavenly mother.
As his poem "The Virgin" continues, Wordsworth compares her to the purity of the ocean's foam, the splendor of the eastern sky at daybreak, and the brightness of the moon before it wanes. Such hyperbole only vaguely describes this holiest of women.
In the beginning, there was a woman we call Eve, who also was born immaculate. But unlike Mary, she failed to become our pure morning star when she turned from God and followed her own will. Mary, who is referred to as a “New Eve” by Saint Augustine (De natura et gratia, XXXVI), received the abundance of grace for overcoming sin and the merit to conceive and to bear Jesus “who undoubtedly had no sin.”
What a gift when God decided to send his only Son as a manifestation of God's love in human form by offering Mary this immense challenge of becoming His mother. One can only imagine how much love God had for her and humanity as she grew into the woman who remained faithful to her original fiat: “Let it be done unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Regardless of what would be asked of her, from her birth to her final breath, she would endure the slings and arrows that the world can hurl and she did not waver in her acceptance of God's will. She would find the peace “that the world cannot give” (John 14:27) and the world could never take away.
As we know, God can never be outdone in generosity. There isn't a title known to us humans that has not been granted to her because she never uttered the word “NO.” Her constant, loving “YES” is a regular reminder that our daily “yes” is the key to the same blessedness. In her profound humility, she never sought recognition for her place in God's plan. Her only desire was and is to bring us closer to her Divine Son.
Participating in devotions to Mary is admirable but how do we also emulate her in deeds and not just words? How much do our lives reflect that same humility? Are we aware that everything we accomplish is simply God acting through us and do we intentionally give God the praise that is due? Or do we seek recognition and praise for our works?
As we approach the Eucharist today, which some religious writers have described as God's daily kiss and embrace, we remember that like Mary, we too bring the presence of Christ into this world which is in dire need of love and not hate; peace and not violence; generosity and not greed; hope not despair.
May our “tainted nature's solitary boast,” Mary, be a daily reminder of the privilege we have in being able to bring Christ into this broken world by imitation of her “yes” to whatever God asks of us.
Sister Helen Robert Boyd, OP
Sister Helen resides in Dominican Convent where she serves
on the Life Enrichment Committee and co-chairs the
Mission Outreach Committee.