Tag: Theotokos

  • On the Feast of the Annunciation, Speaking the Creator into the World

    On the Feast of the Annunciation, Speaking the Creator into the World

    “In the days of creation of the world, when God was uttering his living and mighty “Let there be,” the word of the Creator brought creatures into the world. But on that day, unprecedented in the history of the world, when Mary uttered her brief and obedient, “So be it,” I hardly dare say what Read more

  • A Life that Fits – A Sermon on Luke 2:22-40 for the Feast of the Presentation

    A Life that Fits – A Sermon on Luke 2:22-40 for the Feast of the Presentation

    I recently heard a man say, “I feel as if I have dropped into my own life and it fits.” It made me smile. It was such a great description. I think we all want to be able to say that. He went on, however, to say that it wasn’t about his family, his work, Read more

  • The Scandal We Long For – A Sermon on Matthew 1:18-25

    The Scandal We Long For – A Sermon on Matthew 1:18-25

    What is the most shocking part of today’s gospel (Matthew 1:18-25, Advent 4A)? What’s the thing that makes you wonder whether it really happened the way Matthew describes? What’s the hardest part to believe? For most people, I suspect, the thing that raises questions, controversy, and debate is Mary’s virginity. Aren’t virginity and pregnancy mutually Read more

  • The Womb that Contains What the Heavens Cannot

    The Womb that Contains What the Heavens Cannot

    From you, our God who is before eternity, became a child! He has made your womb His throne, making it more spacious than the heavens. In you, O woman full of grace, all creation exults. Glory to you! (Joseph Raya, Theotokos: Mary Mother of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, 40.)   Read more

  • Our Lady of Guadalupe

    Our Lady of Guadalupe

    Originally posted on Interrupting the Silence: Today, December 12, is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On this day in 1531 she appeared to an Indian peasant, Juan Diego, on Mount Tepeyac outside of Mexico City. The meeting of the Virgin and Juan is described in a text entitled Nican Mopohua. She identified herself… Read more

  • Prayer and Praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary

    Prayer and Praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary

    O most Holy Virgin, he who gives you venerable and glorious titles does not fail to tell the truth; on the contrary, it falls short of your worthiness. Look on us benevolently from heaven! Govern us with peace; guide us, without intimidating us before the judge’s throne; and make us worthy to be seated on Read more

  • God’s Conspiracy Gives Life

    God’s Conspiracy Gives Life

    Jesus “breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22). Recall a moment when you held another person so close that you could hear his or her breathing, the sound of life. Maybe it was your husband or wife, a parent, your child or grandchild, a dear friend. Cheek to cheek. Read more

  • Christ is the Fruit of the Faithful

    “You see that Mary did not doubt but believed and therefore obtained the fruit of faith. ‘Blessed … are you who have believed.’ But you also are blessed who have heard and believed. For a soul that has believed has both conceived and bears the Word of God and declares his works. Let the soul Read more

  • The Angelic Salutation to the Virgin Mary

    Theotokos Virgin, rejoice, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Savior of our souls. Read more