Adam was more than just a mud-man. Fashioned and named by God, Adam mirrored God and could himself talk and commune with his Creator. Out of formlessness, darkness and the void, humanity was created by God and worshiped Him. Taken from the side of Christ-in-Adam, Eve was fashioned from the substance of a rational being; she, too, had a name. These two loved one another and loved their Maker. Then came the heartbreak: when the Eternal God sought his children, Adam and Eve, to enjoy time with them and talk, they were not to be found. They were hiding from his presence. And so begins the sacred narrative of humanity’s blessedness, loss of everything, and hope of redemption, through Jesus.
We are in a relationship with God, with creation, and each other. Can that blessed oneness be sundered? Yes. That is free choice, which is given through the ages. If one could see the whole of creation, the entire span from the very beginning in the paradise of Eden to the very end when all creation is taken up to God, would we have the courage to be other than a mud-man instead of a free and rational creature, able to accept the love of God and return it? To build loyal, fair, and loving relationships with other people? The first Eve did not.
What about the Second Eve? Did Mary envision suffering and loss in her “yes!” to the angelic messenger of God? Or the unbearable sorrow, and loneliness of her Son, Jesus, who died in such pain and humiliation on the cross? Would she still have believed and said yes, even then?
Fortunately, for us, and for herself, she did! Her gift of the Immaculate Conception was not given in vain. In the narrative of the Gospel of St Luke, the name of Mary is repeated by St Gabriel several times, ending with the archangel’s final reassurance: “Do not be afraid, Mary” (Luke 1:30). With the enthusiasm of a very young woman’s joy at glimpsing the very wellspring of life, Mary believed and accepted the divine invitation. She believed and so became the Mother of God, in Jesus “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (Luke 1:31). This great mystery extends through all ages and fills the Church with wisdom, life, and love. The Chirch, a tender mother and teacher available as anchor and guideposts for our choices, through the sacraments and the magisterium.
“I announce to you a great joy!” This was the proclamation that went out to all the world when the newly elected Pope Leo XIV was presented. The responding throng shouted even more joyfully at the next words: “Habemus Papa!” We have a Pope! Our Holy Father leads the whole world to the Gospel and guards the faith.
Moreover, there is a parallel proclamation of great joy: Mary is Mother of Mercy. She embraces all people on behalf of her Son. Habemus Mamam! How happy are we to be under the protective mantle of Mary, the woman who believed. The Church is a blessing, wherein we may model our lives on Mary, who worships the Lord in the beauty of holiness and, being full of grace, who teaches us how to love.
Ruth D. Lasserter
Friend of the SDC
Indiana, US
