Annunciation 2024 - Mary does not eclipse, but magnifies the Divine Sun

 

Due to March 25 falling during Holy Week this year, the Solemnity of the Annunciation is transferred to the first day after the Easter Octave, that is today, April 8. 

Interestingly, today also coincides with a solar eclipse, a celestial event where the moon passes between the earth and the sun, totally obscuring the sun's light. 

It is a providential coincidence that invites us to consider the profound relationship between the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.

Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, "God who made the sun, also made the moon. The moon does not take away from the brilliance of the sun. All its light is reflected from the sun. The Blessed Mother reflects her Divine Son; without Him, she is nothing. With Him, she is the Mother of men." 

In the cosmic dance we witness today, the moon, by eclipsing the sun, does not diminish its light but momentarily draws our gaze so that we might appreciate the sun's brilliance all the more when it reemerges. In the same way, Mary, in her humility and obedience announced at the Annunciation, does not overshadow Jesus but reflects and magnifies His divine light. Just as the moon is illuminated by the sun, Mary's life is wholly illuminated by the grace and love of God through Jesus. She is the immaculate mirror reflecting His perfect light into the darkness of our world.

Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, Mary reflects the love and grace of her Son, Jesus Christ. She does not eclipse or diminish His glory but rather magnifies it through her faithfulness and obedience. “My soul”, she says, “doth magnify the Lord.”

The eclipse today, then, becomes a profound metaphor for our spiritual lives. There are moments when our faith seems overshadowed by doubt or fear, just as the sun is momentarily covered by the moon. Yet, these moments do not signify the absence of God's light but rather an invitation to trust in the steady, illuminating presence of Mary, our guide, who always reflects the light of Christ back to us, guiding us through periods of darkness back into His radiant love and mercy.

It is in these moments that we can turn to Mary, our Blessed Mother, who will always guide us back to her Son. As St. Louis Marie de Montfort reminds us, "[Mary] is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus and will surrender themselves to her, body and soul, without reserve in order to belong entirely to Jesus."

On this day of celestial wonder and divine grace, let us renew our commitment to journeying towards Jesus by walking with Mary, the star of the new evangelization, who leads us to her Son. Let the eclipse remind us that even in moments of darkness, the light of Christ, reflected in the heart of Mary, is our ever-present guide and hope, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Let us offer our prayers to the Father, guided by the light of Christ and accompanied by the Blessed Virgin Mary, as we present our needs and the needs of the world.

For the Church, that under the maternal guidance of Mary, it may shine forth as a beacon of divine love and truth in the world, leading all people closer to Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders and all those in authority, that they may be inspired by the humility and obedience of the Blessed Virgin Mary to serve with integrity, seeking justice and peace for all people. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are experiencing moments of darkness and doubt in their lives, that through the intercession of Mary, they may see the light of Christ and feel His comforting presence amidst their trials. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our community, that we may embrace Mary’s example of faithful service and unconditional love, opening our hearts to God’s will and serving one another with generosity and compassion. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are ill or suffering, especially those among our families and friends, that they may find healing and consolation in the love of Jesus, with Mary as their tender advocate and guide. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all the faithful departed, that through the mercy of God and with the intercession of Mary, they may be welcomed into the heavenly kingdom and enjoy eternal peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear the prayers we offer today, trusting in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May our lives reflect the light of your Son, Jesus, as we strive to follow Him more closely each day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

December 21 2021 - Winter is past, the Sun is Rising

On this darkest day of the year, the first day of winter, we hear a surprising message from the Song of Songs: “winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth”.  Those of us who live in Northeastern Ohio know that the snows are just beginning, the flowers won’t be seen for several months. Yet, the Church proclaims this day as a spiritual springtime, a time of new growth, a time where light begins to appear again.

The Gospel reading as well is full of life and vibrancy: the pregnant Virgin Mother going in haste to visit her once barren cousin Elizabeth, the baby John the Baptist leaping in his mother’s. There is singing, there is the joyful expectancy of the two mothers, there is praising of God. 

These readings remind us of the importance of walking by faith. Naturally, to our senses, it may be cold and the darkest day of the year. But we walk by faith, not by sight. Supernaturally, our hearts are burning with the fire of live as Christmas draws near.

Some people experience a deep depression this time of year, as the sun is seen less and less. Christians, though are called to rejoice in spite of the darkness of the world. We turn our faces to the light of the true sun. 

The O Antiphon, on this darkest day of the year, sung at vespers speaks of the sun that rises from the east: O Oriens, splendor lucis æternæ, brightness of light eternal.  come and enlighten those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. Christ is the Oriens, the eternal light and sun of justice who rises in just a few days. 

Today, may we bask in the light of our coming savior through our prayer and charity towards those in need, may we bring his light into the dark corners of the world, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That those in the darkness of error and faithlessness may be enlightened by the light of Christ through the witness of the Church

For the protection of the unborn, and the overturning of all laws lacking respect for the dignity of human life.

That those struggling with winter depression or addiction may find peace and joy in Christ.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and strengthen all who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord. 

 

December 24 2018 - To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death

Today's Gospel is the Canticle of Zechariah, also called the "Benedictus" because of its opening line in Latin, “Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel”—“Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel”. This song of thanksgiving is prayed every day in the Church's Liturgy of the Hours, as part of the Church’s morning prayer.

The Benedictus is fittingly proclaimed today, on Christmas Eve morning Mass, for is the prayer of the faithful, hopeful soul, Zechariah who  anticipates the rising sun of God just about to break over the horizon of the history of Israel. Zechariah, sees in the birth of his son, John the forerunner, a sign of hope, that the Messiah must be coming soon. And in his Canticle, Zechariah celebrates how the good things God was doing in his family were part of God’s larger plan for Israel and for the salvation of the human race. What is our Canticle? Could we sing a similar song? Do we have the eyes of faith to see how God is working in our families, to save the souls of our family members, to use our family members as his instruments for his plan for human salvation?

Zechariah recognizes that his son John is the “prophet of the Most High” who will “go before the Lord to prepare His way”. But, aren't we all called to do the same, especially in the context of our family gatherings this Christmas: to be prophets pointing to Christ. How does God want to loosen our tongues to proclaim His praises in the context of our families, like he did to Zechariah?

The Lord certainly desires “to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death”, in our world, and in our families. And he wants to do so through us. May we bring the light, the joy, the beauty of his saving birth, into our Christmas gatherings and celebrations today and always, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Rejoicing in the Lord's nearness, we raise up our prayers of petition.
 
May Christ, the Wisdom which comes from the mouth of God, guide us in knowledge and love.

May Christ, leader of the House of Israel, bring protection to all of the oppressed.

May Christ, the Root of Jesse, come to the aid of nations and leaders of nations to walk in the ways of peace.

May Christ, Key of David, free all those captive to sin.

May Christ, the Morning Star, enlighten those who dwell in the shadow of death.

May Christ, King of the Nations, be the desire of the entire human race.

May Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, bring comfort to all those who suffer and who mourn, and for the deceased priests of the diocese of Cleveland, for whom this Mass is offered.