December 25, 2021

The blood, the water, the flesh, the cries, the agony.  You might think it is the crucifixion, but it is instead an anonymous woman, giving birth, in a stable, with her husband, in an obscure village.  Mary’s passion stretches nine months from the moment she receives the Word in her womb through the high drama of bringing forth the living God into the world.  Let us ask ourselves whether we have received that same seed deeply in our our own hearts; whether we have protected that seed and cultivated its growth within us; and whether we shall be courageous enough to suffer through those same glorious labor pains in order to be, like Mary, an instrument of God’s revealing action in the world.  In the same way that biology ensures that no two children are the same, the fruits of each of our acts of faith will be unique:  some shall be prophets, others teachers, others healers, others helpers, others leaders (cf. 1 Cor 12:28-31).  Together, we shall become the Tota Mater, that is, the cosmic woman who spends eternity joyfully fondling the vulnerable God in our laps, sharing our offspring with each other, sanctifying the universe all the while.  On this Christmas Day, let’s choose to be like Mary, trusting that she will indeed make us like her Son.  Ave Crux, Spes Unica.