Advent4c2009-Sermon Notes

We know Mary’s story. We remember Gabriel visiting Mary to announce the mysterious turn her life was taking. We remember Mary’s response of belief and obedient acceptance. We remember Mary’s journey and visit to Elizabeth.

Faith and obedience are Mary’s hallmarks.

But then, we apply a veneer to Mary. We project simplicity onto her. We reason that she was a woman in a patriarchal culture. We guess that she had no education, and maybe she was illiterate. We tell her story as a victory in“ spite of all odds” kind of story. By breaking Mary down, the story has more impact and seems more miraculous.

The truth is our thinking about Mary is largely speculation.

Church historian, Jaraslav Pelikan, wrote a very interesting book about Mary. It is titled, Mary Through the Centuries. It explores how Mary has been viewed throughout history. More importantly, it highlights how various eras have elicited a particular view of Mary.

I think our notion of poor, simple Mary has a lot to do with us. Perhaps, we long for Mary’s receptivity, but find it difficult, so we project a reason for her openness. Our lives are so complicated. We know so much. There is much to be overcome for us to fully invest.

That is what we are talking about, being fully invested in faith. Mary places all in God’s hands in her assent to be the chosen vessel. She gives God her trust, her body, her future and her entire being. We suppose only a simple, illiterate, person without station could do such a thing with such ease.

Maybe Mary knows more than we think. She sings a song which captures her submission to God. It is a song similar to a few women that came before her. Miriam, the sister of Moses, celebrates God’s deliverance by singing her song. Deborah, the female judge, sings a song to encourage troops before battle. Hannah sings a song giving thanks for her son Samuel, last of the Judges of Israel and a prophet in his own right.

Hannah’s song should sound pretty familiar:

1”My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory.
2 "There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them he has set the world.
9 "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail.
10 The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed."

So is Mary a poor, simple girl overwhelmed by God? Or, is she a young women full of the Holy Spirit, taking her place in a long line of strong servants of God?

The story of Mary is the continuation of an ancient story. It is the story of God calling a people, and creating a world marked by righteousness. It is the story of Miriam, Deborah, Hannah and Mary. It is our story.

We come to it like Mary, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. The water is the story of God’s pursuit of us.

Mary had said the kind of mercy shown to her would be expanded into "generations and generations" (Luke 1:50), and indeed that is what she now proclaims for Israel in Luke 1:55. Israel is "remembered with mercy" which is extended to the generations of Abraham forever. This is how God triumphs--not through violence, the customary pattern of the powers of this world, but through compassion and love. -(Progressive Blogging lectionary study)

Place the obstacles aside. Share Mary’s vision of service full of the Holy Spirit, like many that have come before us.