"But she was greatly troubled at the saying"

"But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be." (Lk. 1:29)

Of all the moments in the history of humanity, this is one of the greatest. At this very moments, we see Mary, the New Eve, our Mother, the Mother of God, troubled at the greeting of an angel. Heck, who wouldn't be? But there's the point: Mary is human, she is one of us. Yes, she was conceived without Original Sin and is the Mother of God, but she is also human. She knows what it is to feel pain, to be afraid, to be lonely. She had to flee to Egypt with her newborn Son because this humble, helpless child that she held in her arms was in danger of being killed. Yes, Mary knows our pain, because she has felt it, too. Being perfect, she would have been able to fully recognize, and be compassionate towards, the pain of everyone she met. Being Jewish, she would have known the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob, being sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. Maybe she even cracked a joke or two about that to her husband on their way to Egypt. But it all started with a single greeting, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" (Lk. 1:28), and she was troubled. This one phrase, this joyful greeting, hid behind it a life that would be filled with pain, a pain so terrible that it would culminate in the Cross: "At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping." Yes, Mary's life was one filled with sorrow and pain, but that was not the end, far from it. The Cross leads to the Resurrection, and just as Mary pondered what the angel's greeting might mean, so do we have to ponder the important events in our lives. We need to ask the big questions, especially when they hurt, because it is through the pain that we become stronger, not of our own merit, but because the pain humbles us to realize that we cannot do this on our own. We need each other, but, most importantly, we need God. Despite being troubled at the angel's greeting, despite pondering what it might mean and probably being scared out of her mind at any conclusions she may have drawn, Mary still said yes: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Lk. 1:38) The fiat. It is in the face of darkness that the smallest light shines as the day. A simple yes to God, assenting to His Will, at the time you feel least able to do so, those are the moments that define us. Those are the moments when we are truly free. Recognizing our brokenness, our weakness, and helplessness before God, it is then that we find out who we are, it is then that we are fully human. Yes, we are greatly troubled: all the more reason to say let Your Will be done, because the foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of men, and it is in our weakness that the Almighty becomes our strength. This is our hope: Do not be afraid of the darkness, for Christ is our Light.
Amen.
Alleluia!

Tragedy in Arizona

Today there has been a tragedy in Arizona. U.S. House Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot and wounded along with 10 or so others, and five people were killed, including a 9 year old girl and Federal Judge John Roll (Associated Press Article). This is a tragedy for Arizona and for the United States as a whole. However, we must not lose hope because of this. According to President Obama, Rep. Giffords was outside a grocery store meeting with the people she represents, getting their input on matters, etc. to do her job as a U.S. House Representative (Obama's Comments).

Her actions of being there for the people should be a sign of hope for us as a nation, but also for humanity. Rep. Giffords was being there for her neighbors, listening to them, in a day and age where this is not often done. Whether it be for professional or personal matters, listening to other people should be one of our top priorities, for without listening to to others we will not be able to form relationships, nor will we be able to be there for them in time of need. A common saying that I have heard many times is "There is a reason we have two ears and one mouth," in other words, we should listen twice as much as we talk. While there is reason for righteous anger here in this situation, I sincerely hope that we can take what has happened today and learn a valuable lesson from it: instead of venting our anger in unproductive ways, let us listen to others, as Rep. Giffords was doing, and in this way make our state, our country, and our world a better place. According to the First Amendment of our Constitution, here in America we have the freedom of speech. However, if there is no one listening, then the freedom of speech is pretty pointless. Let us help spread this freedom, this right, that we have here in America by practicing the part which often is forgotten: that in order for others to have this right, there must be people who are listening. Just as we can't grow as a nation without the representatives in Congress, the White House, or the Courts listening to the people, we can't grow as people unless we listen to others. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was the human mind and intellect. It was formed over many thousands of years observing, listening, and acting on what was learned through the observations made. God gave us all this invaluable gift of intellect: let us use it for the furthering of the good of humanity, listening to the needs of others and acting to help them as they need. Whether you go to serve or send aid to the needy and homeless in Haiti or simply listen to a friend in need, there are innumerable ways in which we can help others. Let us do so without fear, for God is with us, protecting us and giving us the strength we need to carry on.

As does often seem to be the case, the Liturgy of the Hours I think speaks to this very thought of God being with us as we serve our neighbors:

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles,

I take it you know what has been reported all over Judea about Jesus of Nazareth, beginning in Galilee with the baptism John preached; of the way God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good works and healing all who were in the grip of the devil, and God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did in the land of the Jews and Jerusalem. (Acts 10: 37-39)

"He went about doing good works and healing all  who were in the grip of the devil, and God was with him." God was with Christ as He went about doing good works, and so God will be with us as we do good works in our lives.

"We are witnesses to all that he did in the land of the Jews and Jerusalem." In order to be a witnesses of Christ as Luke is saying here, we have to act  as Christ did, helping other people. God will be with us: we have nothing to fear.

Again, from today's Evening Prayer:

O Lord our God, hear the cry of your people.
-O Lord our God, hear the cry of your people.
Open for them the spring of living water.
-Hear the cry of your people.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
-O Lord our God, hear the cry of your people.

Pslam 62

First things first, I must thank my good friend Tony for inspiring me to start this blog, and this first blog post. Tony has an amazing blog here on blogspot, Quo Vadis, which can be found here for those who are interested (http://quo-vadis-deum.blogspot.com/). I read Tony's post last night, and it really hit home for me because since I have been home for Christmas Break, I have not been praying as much as I need to or would like to, and this has effected the rest of my life, as well. I then went to pray Evening Prayer, and the very first psalm was Psalm 62, which goes as follows:

In God alone is my soul at rest;
my help comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my stronghold,
my fortress: I stand firm.

How long will you all attack one man
to break him down,
as though he were a tottering wall,
or a tumbling fence?

Their plan is only to destroy;
they take pleasure in lies.
With their mouth they utter blessing
but in their heart they curse.

In God alone be at rest, my soul;
for my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my stronghold,
my fortress: I stand firm.

In God is my safety and glory,
the rock of my strength.
Take refuge in God, all you people.
Trust him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him
for God is our refuge.

Common folk are only a breath,
great men an illusion.
Placed in the scales, they rise;
they weigh less than a breath.

Do not put your trust in oppression
nor vain hopes on plunder.
Do not set your heart on riches
even when they increase.

For God has said only one thing:
only two do I know:
that to God alone belongs power
and to you, Lord, love;
and that you repay each man
according to his deeds.

All of the psalms and canticles from yesterday's Evening Prayer were very powerful, but the reason Psalm 62 stuck with me was because it resurfaced again this morning. I went to Mass at 8, then went to Confession afterwards, and for my penance the priest had me pray none other than Psalm 62: In God alone be at rest, my soul.

So here's a thought (and something I need to keep in mind, myself): when we are running around, trying to catch our breath and we can't seem to do so, are we resting in God? Are we allowing God to hold us in His arms?

Do not be afraid! "Take refuge in God, all you people. Trust him at all times. Pour out your hearts before him for God is our refuge."