What was the greater ask of Mary from God? That she bear a son for God or that she would have to give her son back to God? How often do we think to raise our children to help the world?
Exploring Images of Mary
May 8, 2020
Today's Touchstone has several parts! I hope you will take time to read the section regarding MPB’s path forward as the Archdiocese begins to allow the public celebration of mass again. But first I want to speak about today’s offering to all of you.
I wanted to spend some time reflecting on the image of Mary given to us in the gospel of Luke. Much like last week, I’m not really pulling apart all of the spirituality that has grown within our faith through the centuries, but trying instead to see what the gospel writer was conveying to us, without the benefit or deficit of future generations.
MPB's Nativity Scene
I’m doing this because it is May, traditionally the month of Mary. It is a month that is opened with the feast of her spouse, Joseph (May 1) and closes with the feast of her visitation to Elizabeth (May 31). And of course, in the middle of May, we have Mother's Day. Now I’m not privy to how such decisions as “celebratory months” get made in the Church, but these three days alone would seem enough supporting rationale.
Mother's Day Men's Choir 2016
As well, I have chosen a song for you that is a recording from our annual Mother's Day Men's Choir (in 2016). “Ave Maria", is a combination of one of the earliest chanted forms of this prayer alongside a modern setting in English. It is one of my favorite pieces and in the absence of our yearly listening to this group and this song, I thought it would be something to include as we begin a weekend of celebrating our mothers.
In the course of the reflection, I do mention an online concert that celebrates the 90th birthday of the Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, and I promise in the video to provide a link to that celebration. If you wish to watch it online (I can’t guarantee how long it will be available, but it seems to be up for now) it is here:
I wish you all a happy and healthy time with your mothers and your family this weekend, if possible. Please know that you all remain in the prayers of the staff and myself during this time.
RESUMING PUBLIC CELEBRATIONS OF THE MASS AT MPB:
Given the current clarifications from the Archdiocese of Denver, I have discerned, along with staff, that our parish community at Most Precious Blood will be best served by continuing as we have been. That is, we will continue to have an on-line weekend mass live-streamed each Saturday at 4:30pm and the video of that mass will be available for others to watch by 9am on Sunday morning.
Until we have the ability to have substantially more than 10 people (presently allowed and deemed to be safe) attending celebrations of the Eucharist, it doesn't seem to make sense that such celebrations take place at this time. In addition to safety concerns, I feel it is important that we not allow our wonderful communal celebrations to become an experience and expression of competition, stratification and “who gets to come and who doesn’t.”
We will continue to work towards being ready to accommodate viable numbers that will allow us to invite the entire community to participate in person within a reasonable period as soon as that is deemed legal and safe. Please keep me and the staff in your prayers as we navigate these difficult paths together.
In Monday’s Touchstone, I will pull this apart in detail and address the questions that have already come up. This is a time when we can come to new, deeper understandings of our profound connection to the Eucharist as both “communion and community.” I will do my best to help us balance these two great gifts as we continue this journey together in spirit and prayer.
God bless, be safe and be well,
Fr. Pat
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever."
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever."
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.
MPB Livestream Mass Continues!
- Join us for our Livestream Masses every Saturday at 4:30pm.
- All parishioners are invited to be a part of the "safer-at-home" virtual assembly. Sign up by Friday and you will be sent a Zoom videoconference link and instructions by Saturday morning. "Seats" are limited to 450 households per Mass.
- Watch the weekend Mass on your own once it's posted online (by Sunday morning) for the remainder of the week.
Please send any questions to tstone@mpbdenver.org.
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