4th Sunday of Advent
Dec. 19, 1999
A ZILLION TIMES
by Paul Rooney
2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Rom 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
Last Sunday when one of the children came back from the 11:00 a.m. Children's Liturgy, I asked her if she learned anything from the Gospel reading and teaching about John the Baptist. She answered, "Yes, but . . ." and hesitated a while. So I said, "but what?" And in the stark honesty that only a 3rd grader can muster, she said: "But I've heard that story a zillion times already!"
Now, I find it very hopeful and refreshing to hear that there are parents and grandparents and religious educators in our Parish who are telling and retelling these gospel stories to their kids and grandkids, "zillions of times." Nothing is more important than accepting and spreading the gospel message, and finding new ways to express these old truths.
Today's gospel story about the angel's visit to Mary is another one of those stories we have heard "a zillion times." We call it the story of the ANNUNCIATION, because the angel Gabriel "announced" to Mary the great call that she had been given, and the great event that would take place if she consented to God's plan. But if you have heard this "a zillion times," it may be that we have to find a fresh way to tell or listen to the story.
As you know, when people could not read or write, the gospel was taught to them by means of statues, icons, and stained glass windows. You don't have to read to be able to understand art. But even today, even though we can all read and write, stained glass windows are still a great way to meditate and reflect on the gospel stories, and a teaching device for your kids and grandkids. These 24 stained glass windows at Mary Our Queen Church tell us the story of salvation history, as we know it. What I would like to do today is to call your attention to four of those windows.
The First Window [gesture] with the tree of Jesse reminds us of the genealogy of Jesus. [My apologies to those of you who cannot see from your location.] The white lily or fleur-de-lis (at the top) always refers to Mary.
Beneath that is the six-pointed "star of David." This reminds us of God's call to David, and his promise through the Prophet Nathan [2 Sam 7:1-16] that he would build a house for David that would last forever. That prophecy is the basis for Jewish expectation of a Messiah, a Son of David, which found its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. And this is what today's First Reading is all about.
The Second Window [gesture] is the story of the Prophet Isaiah. You can see the tongs used to hold a burning coal, which purified the lips of Isaiah so that he would be worthy to respond to his call to be God's spokesman. Immediately under that is the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, which reminds us of God's words in chapter 7 of that scroll: "the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child and bear a son …" (7:14).
So in Window Two, we hear the fulfillment of the promises made in Window One.
Now we jump to Window 8 (look for the green-stemmed flower). This tells the gospel story we heard today, the Annunciation. Remember, the white lily always stands for Mary. In this window we see a shaft of light coming down from heaven onto Mary, and at the top the golden scepter (which is a symbol of the authority and sovereignty of God). At the bottom is a book of scripture, and a scroll - the artist's intention here is to tell us that the prophecy of Isaiah (Window 2) has been fulfilled.
Finally, Window 9 completes the story of the Annunciation. The shaft of light coming down from heaven represents God; at the bottom you see a crescent moon, which also always stands for Mary, with a star inside: and that star is Jesus. At the very top you will see a dove overshadowing this crescent moon; in other words, the Holy Spirit overshadows Mary, and Jesus is conceived in the womb of Mary.
So once again we find a different method of telling today's Gospel story.
God always has a plan, and he calls his people to cooperate with him to fulfill the plan. He called David; he called Isaiah; he called St. Paul; he called Mary. Each of them had a different call, a different mission.
- And he is calling you and me! Each one of us has a purpose in God's plan.
- That purpose is always about building the kingdom of God.
- It is about our call to holiness, rooted in the law of Love.
The response God is looking for when he calls us is the same one that Mary gave: "Let it be done to me as you say."
- God is calling some of you to sing in the choir.
- He is calling some of you to consider the religious life, as a sister or brother or priest.
- He is calling some of you men to be deacons.
- He is calling all of you, without exception, to help the poor. How do you respond?
- He calls some to help teach religious education.
- Some are called to serve on parish committees.
- He calls others to responsible parenthood, to be co-creators of his kingdom.
- He calls all of us to a life of chastity.
The story of the Annunciation gives us a great role model to follow. Mary listened for God's call, and responded with her famous words, "Let it be done to me as you say."
All of the scripture stories today give us a great sense of hope! God's will is going to be fulfilled! His promises always come true! We may have heard it "a zillion times," but it still is really Good News!
As we approach the Eucharistic table, let us rejoice today that because Mary said "Yes", the Word of God became flesh to save us. (+)
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
[Permission is granted to use any of the above for non-profit purposes.]
(Comments to Paul at prooney@uswest.net )