Blessed is She Who Trusted

“Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.” (Elizabeth to Mary at the Visitation in Luke).

As we celebrate our sister in life and faith, Mary, on the feast of the Assumption, a rambling reflection:

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.

Be with us, young woman who said yes to Mystery;
Pregnant mother who served and celebrated with another,
who knew the movement of life that was Life within you;
Spouse who loved your angel-dreaming Joseph,
who accepted his guarding of your vulnerability and his wonder at your faith;
Donkey-rider and God-bearer, birthmother and safe enclosure for the Son –
first in your womb, then in your arms;

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.

Treasurer and holder of moments with shepherds and kings,
with prophetesses and seers, with rabbis who listened to an adolescent Jesus;
Preparer of food, maker of home, holder of moments;
Lover of living, and walker in wonder;
Jesus’ first teacher of prayer, handmaid of the Lord;

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled. 

Woman, caregiver, daughter, parent, wife, Jew,
Spirit filled and taught and led;
Sufferer of losses; adult orphan, widow, grief-bearer;
Releaser of the young adult Son to seek his path, his way,
as God’s beloved and Kingdom proclaimer;
Empty nester;
New listener to what God says in the new time;
Curious follower of your Son;
Listener and discerner of words spoken by the Word you taught to speak;
First disciple,
Truly our sister.

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.

Your son – the Rabbi
Your son – the healer
Your son – who speaks with authority
Your son – Abba’s Son
Your son – storyteller
Your son – Truth, Life, Way – that must be shared and spoken
Your son – passion and compassion
Your son – former of others
Your son – dangerous to the authorities
The mother – In the dark, yet trusting;
The mother – YES lived;
The mother – Heart moved by God’s work in her Son;
The mother – Seer of the threat his goodness is to power
The disciple – Known to the followers;
The disciple – Hearer and keeper of the word of God

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.

Swords will pierce your heart, Anna foretold
Jesus will give all to share the message of Abba
Mary, you will give all standing, waiting, watching
How could this have gone so wrong?

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’w words to her would be fulfilled.

Cradler of his lifeless body
Mother given to the disciple – to us all
Stunned by grief, uncomprehending
Letting go again
– Be it done, I am Mary, handmaid, magnify-er –
You are God.

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.

Waiting, hidden, with his ‘crew’;
Hearing womens’ news that makes no sense,
You know it true
You’ve traveled those roads
Believed her God
Held his Son,
Given your all
Nothing is impossible with God
He will be called Jesus – one who saves – words you heard
Emmanuel – God with us

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.

As you companioned the disciples, Mary, companion us;
Teach us your way of being with God, with life, sister-mother-friend-companion;
Root for us and guide us;

We too are blessed. The Lord’s words to us will be fulfilled.
It matters not if we understand them.
He leads, we lean.
We just say yes, and watch in wonder and delight the unfolding.
God is so good, and does good things in us, with us, for us

Today, Mary (one whose name I bear!)
We celebrate you
Your sensitivity and presence to life
Your being as listening
Your agreeing to angel invitations
Your celebrating with community
Your journey through life in all its simplicities and complexities,
celebrations and mournings,
clarities and confusions.
Your joining with your Son, with Abba, the Spirit
at Assumption moment
in ways we cannot understand and yet believe

Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.