Monday 15 August 2022

Psalm 45

Background

Today is the feast of ‘The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ (Mary being taken up to heaven at the end of her life). As a lifelong Methodist I cannot say that this is a feast day that is high up on my list; other than knowing it existed I have (probably like most Methodists) never paid it any attention. What happened to Mary is not recorded in any of the books of the New Testament; Acts 1:13-14 tells us that Mary was with the disciples after the Ascension, but after this point there is no further mention of her.

As I write these notes my daughter-in-law is in hospital giving birth to my first grandchild*, which has made me think about the words of this passage in a slightly different light. Although I may not fully agree with how Mary the mother of Jesus is venerated in the Roman Catholic tradition, I do wonder if we do her a disservice by the way the Methodist Church tends to ignore her, except for Advent and a brief cameo during Lent and Easter.

As I think about everything that my daughter-in-law has been through during the last nine months, and what she is going through now, I am reminded that Mary went through all this and without the aid of modern medication. She went through all the excitement, worry, pain and joy so that she could give birth to the child that would bring each of us opportunity to call God ‘Abba’ (father).

We will never be able to fully appreciate exactly what Mary did, but she was chosen by God to give birth to the promised Messiah. Whatever our theological leanings, Mary deserves more than a passing mention twice a year.

*Granddaughter arrived safe and sound, mother and baby are doing well.

 To Ponder:

• If you want to find out more about the feast of “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ these websites may be helpful: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/podcast/newman-on-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/ and https://nationaltoday.com/feast-assumption/
• Who do you know who has acted faithfully when called by God and what difference did they make in your life? Give thanks to God for them.
• Have you ever been called by God, but ignored the call? What made you ignore it, and do you think that God is still calling you?
• Don’t forget to keep praying for the person you thought about yesterday.

 Prayer

Patient and forgiving God, we give thanks for all the people, like Mary, who heard your call and responded. Thank you for sending people into our lives to inspire, instruct and guide us. Forgive us for the times when we have ignored your call on our lives and help us to recognise your voice when you call in the future. Amen.