Opening –
Stem cell researchers discovered that mothers retain in their bodies cells that
belong to their children. The cells have all the kid’s DNA, not just mom’s
half. They somehow migrate during pregnancy. Mary has Jesus cells in her body.
If he rose, why wouldn’t she?
Three great
moments in Mary’s life
1) Annunciation – Mary says Yes. The
angel called her Full of Grace – Mary, the new Eve, has been born free from
Original Sin. Creation begins anew in her.
2) Incarnation – Through Mary, the Word
become flesh – God becomes one of us!
3) Assumption – One of the effects of
sin is death as we know it. Mary instead gently returns to the Father. Where
she has gone, we hope to follow.
All this
points to the love God has for His people – if only we were to have the same
love for one another!
Last Spring there
was a gathering of almost 200 people in the chapel of Georgetown University –
they were united in a common bond – back in 1838, 272 of their ancestors were
sold as slaves to finance the college.
Sandra Thomas spoke for them – “Their pain is unparalleled. Their pain
is still here. It burns in the soul of every person of African American origin
in the US.”
Thankfully,
Georgetown initiated this gathering and is taking many steps to rectify this
wrong. But the question is still – Why? How could this have happened – a Church
that is supposed to see through Jesus and Mary the sanctity of all human life!
It continues
of course – the events in Charlottesville have been awful. Might we say it
again: Racism and Christianity are not compatible. If you are a racist, you are
not a Christian. There is no place in America for hate. Hatred is not welcome
here. That is not who we are!
Nice
religious feast – Assumption – but with profound implications. We are children
of Jesus and Mary – we are all children of God.
