Delving the Mysteries--May 15, 22 & 29, 2002 Novena

Reverend Herbert Nichols

In keeping with Mary's request that we pray the rosary, at least in part, daily, I would like to reflect with you upon its mysteries...the word mysterious means something hidden, secret and searched for.

In biblical and liturgical understanding, it refers to God's plan of salvation - hidden in eternity, but revealed or unfolded through the scriptures, the sacraments and liturgical life of the Church.

Of first importance is to recognize that it is God's initiative. Not human logic. No imagination can ever bring us across the gap to the Divine.

As we meditate upon the mysteries of the rosary, God unfolds the true revelation of the meaning of human life and its relationships. In the example of Mary, we find the one perfect human person, who in co-operation with grace, serves as a model for all her children.

We can be very tempted to envision Mary as plastic or plaster, without life or emotion. She was not spared any of the human confusion, doubt, anxiety, that is part of every day life and more.

On the other hand, we want to avoid the over sentimentality as portrayed in Franco Zeffarelli's Jesus of Nazareth, where she weeps hysterically to the point of nervous collapse. (Though I found the movie superb in many of the scenes portrayed; this particular scene is not faithful to the scriptural model.

In John19:25-27, we find the disciple, John, with Mary, the mother of Jesus. The evangelist tells us: "There stood His Mother. To stand implies a person of faith and courage. It indicates one who knows both the familiarity and the power of prayer. A person as described in Luke 2: 19: "one who pondered and reflected and kept all these things in her heart".

I would invite you to join with these reflections of mine what perhaps Mary might have experienced.

The first joyful mystery is the Annunciation of the plan of God, by the angel Gabriel. I think it appropriate that this mystery is first; not merely because it initiates the earthly life of our Redeemer, but it demonstrates to us that prayer is not a monologue, but a dialogue. It requires listening.

Today, many scoff at the thought of hearing God, as if it were only for the most sanctified. That simply is not true. As I once explained to my fourth grade religion class: You learn to select certain frequencies on your radio or TV. You tune in who you want to listen to.

Now that does not guarantee extraordinary messages or heavenly messengers. And we might hardly desire them. But how would you respond in such a position? An angel greeting you: Hail, full of grace, you shall conceive and bear a son...the one who shall save his people from their sins.”

Perhaps like Mary, you would begin by asking: How can this be? How will I explain to Joseph and my parents? Will they understand? What about my neighbors? These Nazarenes are very judgmental people. The penalty for adultery is death by stoning and Gabriel's simple response was no less perplexing: It is by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary's simple childlike response shows the strength of her prayer life.

The Bible doesn't tell us the details of how the Holy Family worked this out. It tells us what ~ important. She accepted. She was open to receive and to give the necessary human component to provide humanity to the son of God. She did not need to understand; but being open to Divine Will she became God's effective minister.

Acceptance is really another word for humility, which is not as many think: an act of self-degradation or abuse. Humility is the response to God in joyful song. Humility is the acknowledgement of our blessedness. Mary acknowledges her blessedness, not for anything she has done, but for the great things the Almighty has done for her.”

We should not miss this contrast with that of Zechariah, a priest and husband of Elizabeth, unable to sing, unable to speak, chastised for his doubt of Gabriel's message to him.(cf. Luke 1: 48,9,22) Do we find ourselves stifled, tongue-tied when asked to share what God is doing in our lives? Gabriel’s announcement of Elizabeth's pregnancy brings forth yet another response to God's will...the concerns of her own condition are now less important than assisting another.

In the mystery of the Visitation, we are given the example of service, when called upon by our Creator to use our lives, our talents, our human energies in union with Divine grace to reveal:

LOVE.

There is yet another mystery revealed in this meeting. The awesome demonstration of fetal life. Mary is greeted as "Mother of my Lord, not only by Elizabeth; but still in his mother's womb the young John leaps for joy recognizing the presence of God.

It is also interesting to note that some thirty years later when the two meet at the river Jordan; a then mature and reasoning adult has to ask Jesus: Are you the one? Like his father, and no doubt like ourselves we often permit human reasoning to cloud our response to faith.

As Mary stood with John beneath the cross, on which was stretched the sacrificial lamb, perhaps John was contemplating in his heart the words he had heard hours before: This is My Body.. No greater love has a man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends... This is My Blood that is shed for you." and at Capernaum in the sermon falling the multiplication of loaves: This bread that I will give you is my Body…the wine that I give you is my Blood. Unless you eat and drink of it, you cannot have life within you. Many who had followed Him turned away from Him "because this teaching was too difficult to understand." cf. John 6:66.

Perhaps Mary was contemplating still an earlier time, ~ birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

Here, in this town, the birthplace of the great King David, the King of Kings lay in a wooden manger, a feeding troth for cattle. He who was lain in the straw that was food for animals would Himself, become food for human souls. He, who for the last nine months had been one body and one blood system with His mother, would come to share this intimacy with all through the mystery of the Eucharist. Was it any co-incidence that this town called Bethlehem means literally: house of bread. Here was the first tabernacle.

Who came to visit Mary and adore the child? Strangers from far away lands. Derelicts and outcasts guarding sheep in the hills, already this new-born life was in mortal danger. His life had just begun, but the darkness of rejection was just beyond reach until the hour that it would be permitted.

The prophetic word of Simeon, at the presentation of the child in the Temple, was already a piercing sword. Prophecy is not so much a future telling as a "forth telling", a proclamation of the word of God. We find on Calvary the fulfillment of the prophecy, but surely that sword had pierced Mary's heart through and through many times.

What culminated on the cross was 33 years of heart-piercing suffering: the mockery of the Nazarenes who had considered her son a madman. Rebukes even by members of the family, accusations of heresy and even collaboration with the prince of demons.

What mother has shared in the mystery of suffering more than Mary? But this is called a joyful mystery--joyful, even in suffering because Mary is able to understand and appreciate what

others fail to comprehend "Who is my Mother?" Who are my brothers and sisters? Those who hear the word of God and put it into practice. (cf. Matt.12:48-S0)...How often this phrase is misunderstood. Jesus was not rebuking His family. Quite the contrary He was praising Mary, His mother, for she more than any one else was able to live in acceptance the word she heard from God.

That is the role of the prophet. It was the role of Elijah in the Old Testament; and of the Baptizer in the beginning of the New. When Jesus says: "If you are willing to believe the prophets than John is Elijah", He was not preaching re-incarnation. John was a prophet in the spirit of Elijah. Through fasting and prayer he was a recipient and proclaimer of the word of God.

In our own day Mary comes to us in this same prophetic vein, visiting her children in various times and places, calling us to respond to Jesus through prayer and fasting as disciplines of a disciple.

Fasting enables us to get our house in order, to do some spiritual housecleaning, to discern what is truly valuable and what is not. Fasting enables us to find the spiritual treasures that have perhaps been lost.

The fifth joyful mystery is the finding of our Lord in the Temple. Finding is joyful. ..but finding isn't finding unless we realize that something has been lost. Is there any greater tragedy or greater joy than finding at times our own relationship with Jesus is at times lost and found.

When Mary and Joseph had discovered, the absence of their young adolescent son, they were deeply worried as any parents would be...and asking for an explanation, His response: that I must be about my Father's business did not make things any easier His words and actions would be for Mary's entire life an ongoing revelation, just as they are for us.

Faced with ongoing mystery, Mary observes and tries to understand her son. But more importantly she grows in a love and faith which is not plastic or passive; not bossy, yet bold; the ever trusting humble and obedient daughter of the Father.

We need to ponder, to keep in memory, and most importantly to reflect upon our daily experiences. One of the best aids to spiritual growth is to keep a journal--not just a diary-- not just a book of memories, but reflections upon these experiences (and anyone who keeps an authentic prayer journal has no trouble making monthly perhaps even weekly confession. Each time you review your journal you will much to present in the Temple.

Mary's relation to Jesus, as we have seen is more than merely biological. She is not what we would call today a surrogate mother. She remains intimately involved in His psychological and spiritual development

In our last reflection, we found the young Jesus lost in the Temple but Luke tells us that He returned to Nazareth and was obedient to Mary and Joseph, and that He grew in wisdom, age, and grace; obviously speaking of his human nature. God does not grow or change; but in his humanity, Jesus is able to acquire and develop his own human consciousness. He is just as really son of Mary as He is son of the Father. It is Mary who confers on Him his humanity. (cf. Luke 2:51,52)

When Jesus describes the "kingdom of God" as "yeast, which makes the dough rise", is it perhaps because as a young boy he not only worked in the carpenter shop, but also watched his mother baking bread. Seeing the batter rise, he asked; Why? And his mother explained it to him.

When he compared the "kingdom of God" to a haul of fish, later to be sorted the good from the spoiled; could we suppose that as a youngster he went to market with his mother. Being prudent and economical Mary explained how to distinguish fresh fish from that which has turned.

Throughout the Scriptures, Jesus' life and ministry manifests an enlightened attitude toward women very different from his peers. There is no doubt that Mary had profound influence on her son. In her femininity can be found the same influence for today's women, searching, struggling for recognition and acceptance. Mary as a woman with God's given strength and her own self-possession constitutes a beautiful and attractive life. She is one, who as we might say today, really has it all together.

Nearly twenty years have passed since the finding of Jesus in the Temple. To better understand the role of Mary through these formative years of Jesus' youth let me place these five reflections in the context of the wedding at Cana.

Try to feel, perhaps as only a Mother can, the embarrassment when Jesus arrives several days late in the company of some "sweet smelling fishermen". Perhaps by this time everyone was feeling good enough not to notice the aroma. They had surely consumed a great supply of wine.

Discretely, yet confidently, Mary takes Jesus aside and whispers: They have no wine. Was she asking him to go to the package store or super market; or was she perhaps expecting a miracle? His response did not throw her off guard. Her faith, by now had grown so as to recognize that there was more here than what could be seen or heard. She does not get upset. She does not nag. She simply speaks one more time--the last recorded word of Mary in the Bible: “Do whatever he tells you”.

As a good Jewish mother, she had no doubt taught her son the Ten Commandments; and as a good Jewish boy he knew how to honor his mother as well as His Father.

Why is it today that we have such decline in devotion and even respect for Mary, even among Catholics? Several years ago the late Cardinal Suenens of Brussels asked the renowned theologian, Karl Rahner this very question. Father Rahner's response was rather interesting: All Christians, Catholics as well as Protestants are facing the common temptation today to reduce the central truths of our faith to mere abstractions. And abstractions have no need of a mother; only persons.

Today there is a tendency to demythologize the mysteries of our faith. In Galatians 6:10 Paul warns of those who tamper with the word of God, of those who would preach a substitute gospel that makes Jesus anything other than true God and true man.

As Mary and John stood beneath the cross, there was no room in their minds for speculative theories and lofty ideals. They stood there to witness to the person of Jesus, a person pouring out love to the very last drop of His Blood.

Matthew 26:36 describes the first sorrowful mystery, the agony in the garden. In v.37 grief and anguish came over Him. v.38 the sorrow in my heart is so great it almost crushes me. Abstractions do not have emotions like these. In v.39 Jesus pleads with the Father, perhaps recalling how He had spared Isaac at the last possible moment: Father if there is any other way, save me from this hour. Yet not my will but Thine be done.

This was not His first encounter with temptation. Following His Baptism He retreated to the desert for some serious prayer and fasting. There, assailed by the prince of Darkness, Jesus was victorious but the devil withdrew to await another opportunity. (cf. Luke 4:13)

In Mark 14:32 Jesus says to His three disciples, Sit here while I pray. Filled with distress and anguish He says to them a second time: v.34, Stay here and keep watch. But overcome by wine they fell asleep. Jesus wakes them. Remember when they woke Him because they were terrified of a storm while He slept in the boat v.38 He says to them a third time: Keep watch and pray.

v.41 Coming back again He wakes them from sleep: Enough! The hour is here.

John 18 tells us that the Roman soldiers and temple guards came led by Judas v.3 They were armed and carrying lanterns. But the Prince of Darkness had no power over Him. v.5 In answer to His question: For whom are you searching? Jesus answered straight forward: I am He. Immediately they were thrown to the ground by the power of the Spirit.

To further demonstrate that He was still in control, He healed the ear of Malchus', which Peter had sliced off with a sword. Reprimanding Peter, he perhaps reminded him of an earlier incident when Simon had been called greatly blessed for what my Father has revealed to you; but a few moments later, Jesus referred to Peter as a Satan for attempting to block Him from doing the Father's will. (cf. Matthew 16:13-23)

The next two mysteries, the scourging and the crowning with thorns occur within the trials of Jesus following His arrest. In the first trial before Annas and Caiphas every attempt is made to deny His authority by stripping Him of His claim to Divinity. With the verdict of blasphemy, Caiphas tears his garment, a ritual which the evangelist uses to designate shame.

In the second trial before Pilate, it is the human nature of Jesus with which they contend. The charge of blasphemy is now changed to one of political treason. Pilate alone has the authority to execute or to release Jesus. Jesus reminds Pilate from where power comes; Pilate is a wimp. Though he recognizes their deception, he washes his hands like Macbeth to absolve himself of guilt as if that were possible.

Ironically, this is the priestly role of Caiphas to cry out for absolution and mercy. Over the centuries there has been tragic anti-Semitic misunderstanding with regard to these words of the High Priest: Let His blood be upon us and upon our children. These were the ritual words proclaimed each passover as the High Priest sprinkled the people with the Blood of the Passover Lamb. Unwittingly he performed this ritual act of purification in demanding the Blood of the Lamb of God.

In the fourth mystery we travel the Via Dolorosa, the Road of Sorrows. Unlike the traditional stations where Jesus has several encounters the Scriptures tell of only two, in which are symbolized all that is necessary.

The encounter with the Cyrinian who shoulders the cross for Jesus symbolizes the corporal works of mercy. I often wonder how John walking along this road with his beloved Master must have burned in his heart to do what Simon was so hesitant to do. But it was not meant for him. The Spirit appropriates His gifts as He sees fit.

It is certainly not improbable that Mary and Veronica were among the group of women that Jesus met along the way. These women portray the symbol of the spiritual works of mercy; not the least of which is to pray for the unborn. Is it merely undetected or deliberately neglected to recognize Jesus' prophetic words: Happy are the wombs that never bore and the breasts which never nursed but that will be the time when they will cry to the mountains to fall upon us and to the hills to hide us...for if this done when the wood is green, what will happen when the wood is dry, and Life is no longer with you? (cf. Luke23:30,31)

In the crucifixion and death of Jesus we see the lifting up of the sacrifice on the vertical beam and the outstretched arms in a gesture of love on the horizontal beam. It is an ironic paradox that the author of life is put to death

In this tragic hour it was not only a mother who lost a son but a son who would loose a mother, if he did not give her away. In those days childless widows became slaves.

Calvary for Mary, and for all of us poses an opportunity, and a temptation to collapse into cynicism and despair. Mary did not collapse. She stood as always filled with faith and love and grace. As she embraced the corpse of her son, death itself would loose its sting. There would be resurrection and new life.

In our initial reflection on the joyful mysteries, we saw the relation of Mary, a person of humble obedience to the will of the Father; and who united in heart and emotions, in joy and in suffering helped form the human consciousness of the Eternal Son. In the glorious mysteries we reflect on the relationship of Mary to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of breath and life.

Having provided a son for His Mother, that she not be left alone; in the person of John and all of us, He left His Mother. Jesus said: “It is finished.” He breathed out His spirit and his human nature expired a little more than 48 hours passed and Jesus, risen from the dead, stood in their midst and again breathed out His Holy Spirit saying: "Peace, Receive the Holy Spirit, your sins are forgiven. "He did not scold or reprimand. He gently forgave. Though he had come through locked doors, he was not a ghost. To remove any doubt that he was once again alive he ate with them. He invited Thomas to touch Him. Do not persist in your unbelief.

It was not the first appearance of the day. Earlier in the morning he had appeared first to the women who had remained loyal beneath the cross on Friday. Have you ever wondered as I have, if Jesus did not first appear to His mother. Though none of the gospels make reference to any such meeting we read in Jobn21 :25, the last verse of the last gospel: "there are many things that have not been written". As he had recorded Mary's last words at Cana, the time has now come to conclude his own testimony.

Perhaps the intimacy of such a meeting was something too personal to record in writing. Or perhaps there was no need for Jesus to appear to his mother. In all of the recorded meetings, it is not to the skeptical, but to the chosen who are willing but weak, in need of a little prodding.

Several weeks after the resurrection, Peter is out with some others fishing on the Lake of Tiberius. At the sight of a man standing near a charcoal fire, Peter's mind is seared. His body and memory momentarily paralyzed; seemingly unable to recognize until told by John that "it is the Lord. "

Something of critical importance is happening. Peter's guilt has been forgiven; but now after several weeks something else needs healing. Recall what I said about the High Priest Caiphas tearing his robes. Since the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden nakedness throughout the Bible is and indicator of shame.

It is vitally important that we clearly understand that while guilt is a healthy and necessary corrective for whatever I have done, (or failed to do); shame is an unhealthy deception suggesting that by my actions I am alienated, rejected. This is not the word of the Lord. But it is a very common confusion in our way of thinking today.

John tells us that Peter put on His cloak, because He was naked. There is a grammatical nuance in the original Greek text that is not apparent in English. It was not his own coat, but the coat of another. It is the coat of Jesus, the coat of His Blood, the coat of Divine righteousness. Having covered himself with Christ, Peter jumps into the water.

Does he sink with a coat on? Does he swim to the shore? Or perhaps with his eyes riveted on Jesus standing at the fire, his feet once again run across the waves, no longer sinking for a lack of faith. There on the shore Jesus completes the healing process of Peter's shame by leading him to acknowledge how deeply he truly loves the Lord.

I think it also is not co-incidence that this last chapter of the last gospel has the shamed one running to the Lord for healing in contrast to the beginning of Scripture, where the shamed ones run away from the Lord to hide in the bushes.

In the last of Jesus' meetings, we find Him gathered with His disciples outside of Jerusalem on the hill near Bethany. His pastoring is finished. They are ready to receive power. He gives them authority: "Go and do what I have done. Baptize, heal, forgive, exorcise demons...In my name you will do all these things when the Paraclete comes. In the meantime go back to the city and wait in prayer. Then Jesus ascended to His Father.

In Acts 1:14 we read that the disciples were gathered together with the women and with Mary, in prayer. Tradition tells us that it was nine days--the first Novena-- During this time it was not Peter, but Mary who led this prayer vigil.

As her son's body had formed in her womb for nine months, so Mary continued the formation of the embryonic church in that Upper Room. As Jesus had been conceived in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, this same Spirit would rest on them and conceive in their hearts the courage and boldness they would require to fulfill their mission.

As Jesus had done on the road to Emmaus, Mary ignited in their memories all that they had been taught, enkindling a fire in their heart. Perhaps here, she reminded them of the miracle of Cana, the power of prayer in faith: "Ask and you shall receive.” Even if it seems insignificant or inconvenient. If it is genuine. You need only ask once even if not immediately, it will be answered

The occasion may also have been used as a parable for their personal lives, which would soon be changed. Like water which is useful but tasteless, they will become like wine, sparkling and delightful, changed not for their own benefit, but for the benefit of others. Perhaps Mary then repeated her last words: Do whatever He tells you.

You know what happened when the Spirit came. Once again we find Mary, our mother, shrouded in silence. We know that for her as for all of us, the time came when her work and time on earth was finished. Death we are told is the result of original sin. Since Mary was conceived without the original sin, the question is asked: Did Mary experience death?

The answer is: we don't know. After nearly 2,000 years the Church leaves us to accept either answer. From earliest times there has been the celebration of the Dormition of Mary. This literally means passing to sleep. Though not defined as a dogma until 1950 there is the equally ancient tradition of Mary's awakening without corruption and bodily assumed into heaven.

This mystery proclaims more than the fact that Mary's body did not decay. It proclaims Mary to be like all of us. This unique privilege of Mary's is not that she stands alone; but that she stands first among the Redeemed. The only difference is that Mary has been gifted to already receive what we still hope and pray for.

It is so tragic that the Mother of the Church, particularly in this mystery is so misunderstood. In her assumption to heaven Mother Mary stands before humanity as an example of authentic Christian optimism...not pie in the sky, wishful thinking, but a realistic hope for the world and humanity.

Mary offers to us men and women of the 21st century the real possibility of a future: the confidence that every human person can find first in his/her self as a child of God, and the courage to work together for the betterment of all humanity.

The media in our age brings together a spectacle of human suffering, whether it takes place on the other side of the globe or in our own neighborhoods. So vivid and so intense that it numbs us to the poison that destroys the hearts and souls of brothers and sisters who sit in the very same pews of the Church. This is the real danger...the real war...the sin of real un-love, ungodliness, the cynicism and despair into which we must not collapse.

We do not worship Mary. It would be a terrible offense to her humility. But by following her example throughout the mysteries of life and death we come again and again to the foot of the cross which is our salvation. We honor her who leads us to this place, and because of her uniqueness we acknowledge her privileged place in the hierarchy of saints.

When we speak of Mary as Queen, we can again stir up discomforting misunderstandings. For Americans, whether Catholic, Protestant, or unbeliever, this imagery does not speak well to our culture. But perhaps a final parable might illuminate this mystery.

One day a beggar had an opportunity to be presented to his king, and to ask whatever favor he might desire. Like any other presentee, he was expected to offer the king some small token of esteem. ...The beggar was embarrassed because he was very poor. The only thing he had worthy of presenting was an apple, his only food. Even that had a worm hole. How could he offer such a tarnished gift?

From the kitchen window the Queen spotted the beggar, standing in line frightened and ashamed. She went to him and invited him to her kitchen where she sliced his apple and laid it our on her best silver platter, zipping it with a touch of lemon bitter and said: Bring this as your offering to the king.

Are we not all in the condition of the imperfect apple? Stained by original sin, but our queen is not. She is exalted in making us look attractive to the king. Do we still pray the Salve, the salutation to a queen? Or have we discarded it because of archaic language? The reference to a valley of tears as being in exile, do not seem to be in keeping with spirit of our age. But when tragedy strikes they can be most consoling.

The origin of this prayer goes back over 1,000 years to a German Benedictine monk, Blessed Herman of the monastery of Reichnau, a genius who wrote several scientific studies, but was handicapped throughout his entire life by a speech impediment which made him virtually impossible to comprehend.

Later in life, he lost his vision as well and changed from scientific research to the composition of poems and hymns. The Salve is his masterpiece having been prayed by billions over these last thousand years, bringing hope and consolation to those who find themselves in the valley of tears.

When I lived in the Bronx with Fr. Benedict Groeschel, he told me of having put this prayer aside in his own personal life for some time until one night a man whom he had known for some time slipped into depression and took his own life. Fr.Benedict said the prayer just spontaneously burst from his lips and he has resumed praying it ever since.

After this our exile, show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Pray for us 0 Holy Mother of God that we may be found worthy of the promises of Christ.

Amen. That was what Mary said to the angel. Her first word and her constant word. Let it become our constant prayer as well. There is no better word with which to summarize and conclude the gratitude that is in our hearts.