A homily given on the Feast of the Motherhood of Mary
January 1, 2012, at St. Andrew Church, by Fr. Leo Remington
We celebrate Mary as the Mother of God, and we seek to bring Jesus Christ to birth in the beauty and tragedies of our times, our world. We pray in our lives to continue what we celebrate in her.
I am Jesus, your God, your Savior, your brother, your child.
Birth me. Mother me.
Birth me into your starving millions. Mother me with clean water, pure milk, nourishing food and a real promise of another harvest. Mother me with sharing rather than hoarding. These are your brothers and sisters and they are starving. Mother me by feeding them.
Birth me into your sick beds. Mother me with medicine, clean bandages, and mostly, a loving presence while I suffer. Mother me by effective and accessible medicine. Mother me by being close and caring while I am dying. Mother me by healing my pains, both in my body and in my soul.
Birth me into your wars, both small and large. Mother me by being a peacemaker wherever and however you can. Mother me by negotiation, mutual respect, and diplomacy, rather than resorting to bullets and bombs.
Birth me into your fiestas. Mother me with your dance and song and merrymaking. Mother me with festive food and gladdening drink. Mother me with cheerful wishes and joyous songs.
Birth me into your prayers. Mother me with heartfelt prayer for those you love and those you don’t even know. Mother me with silent and sung prayers, praising God from whom all blessings flow, and asking God to bestow even more love and grace in this world.
Birth me into your markets and malls. Mother me with honest transactions and money to promote the common welfare rather than exploit and victimize. Mother me by sharing your wealth with those in need.
Birth me into your suffering. Mother me with patience, compassion, and trust in your God. Mother me away from despair and into new hope. Mother me by sharing grief and pain, as best you can.
Birth me into your politics. Mother me with honesty and integrity, seeking the common good rather than personal favors. Mother me by putting aside greed and creating laws that will benefit all citizens.
Birth me into your humdrum days. Mother me by finding the blessings in your ordinary life and encouraging others who become discouraged and defeated. Remember that a mother can see the beauty in ordinary lives and praise God when times seem ineffective and futile.
Birth me into your schools. Mother me by teaching me to read, how to live well, how to decide what is best, and how to seek new ideas. Mother me by showing me better ways of living and flourishing. Mother me in informal, unassuming example and in showing courage to those who hesitate or stumble.
Birth me into your stories. Mother me by retelling the origins and values of your people and families. Mother me by recounting again and again all the good things that God has done for you.
Birth me into your lives. Mother me by raising up a new incarnation of me as your Savior, in your time, in your place. Mother me by forming and reforming anointed ones who live godly lives after my fashion.
I am Jesus, your God, your Savior, your brother, your child.
Birth me.
Mother me.
