This is the Sunday we traditionally remember Mary the mother of Jesus. What follows is not prose \u2013 like a short sermon or address \u2013 but a kind of meditation which we read through slowly and thoughtfully, allowing ourselves to slip into prayer. We can probably think of one or two stories in the gospels involving Mary, but not the whole seven. This takes each of these stories and helps us to reflect on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opening Micah 5:3 (today\u2019s OT reading)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore Israel will be abandoned Saviour God, to the compassion of Mary, her fortitude and her grace The Magnificat Luke 1:46-55 (today\u2019s gospel reading)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As Mary sang in the joy of expectancy of birth, The Bethlehem stable Luke 2:5-7<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As Mary gave birth among strangers, Fleeing Herod\u2019s assassins Matthew 2:13f<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In her fierce protection of the infant Christ Simeon\u2019s welcome and prophecy Luke 2:33<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As Mary with pride presented her young son at the temple, Jesus at 12, the Passover at Jerusalem Luke 2:48f<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as Mary saw the child she had nurtured in the ways of religion A hostile congregation Mark 6:3<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As his mother suffered when in his home town Her support of Jesus at a wedding John 2:5<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As Mary at the wedding in Cana A seeming snub from her son Matthew 12:46f<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As Mary felt her love rejected and her labour of no account Mary at the crucifixion John 19:25f<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the foot of the cross, Mary suffered cruelly with her child, With the disciples after the Ascension Acts 1:14<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In an upper room after Christ ascended to heaven, Conclusion<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We praise you, O God, for the witness of this woman of Nazareth Grant that, like Mary, we may hear your word and keep it This is the Sunday we traditionally remember Mary the mother of Jesus. What follows is not prose \u2013 like a short sermon or address \u2013 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-wider-church"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3099"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3100,"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3099\/revisions\/3100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.markinchchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
until the time when she who is in labour bears a son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
you entrusted the One who was to rescue humankind
from all that brings despair and destruction:
help is so to live that we witness to the reconciliation
promised in Christ our brother \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
full of hope for her life and the life of all humanity,
a new time coming when those with power will no longer dominate the rest:
we pray for those who wield power and those who are powerless;
may they come to recognise their need of each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
caring for her child far from the comfort of home:
so we pray for people displaced from country and kindred
who in adversity struggle to care for their children \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
from those who would kill in the face of threat
to their influence, comfort, and power
Mary with Joseph had to flee their home:
we pray that those who daily have to live under threat of violence
may find strength to persevere \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
made an offering and rejoiced in the generous words of Simeon:
may we not be slow to encourage and to praise the good
and recognise the potential in people rather than their faults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
speak with the priests with knowledge and confidence:
may we be mentors to each other, teaching through the way we live,
wise in our speech and upright in our conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus was scorned and rejected when he preached:
we pray for those who are undervalued and seen of no consequence
because of the way they look or do not show that they know their place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
urged the guests to do her son\u2019s bidding:
may we be advocates for those whom others distrust
and lift up our voice for those who are voiceless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
as Jesus placed discipleship higher than family loyalty:
save us from putting our nation, race, or culture before all else,
sewing conflict because of our fear of what we do not know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
uncomprehending in her love and beyond comfort:
help those whose lives are broken by loss
and who cannot imagine a future without someone they love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary prayed with the other disciples and glimpsed the hope of the gospel:
grant us a like excitement and expectation as shared by the disciples,
that we may carry this constantly in our lives and on our lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
as near and far she accompanied her son in his life and ministry,
knowing pride and anguish, hope and sorrow:
may we, whatever life brings, grow likewise in love and in faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
and one day share with her the risen life of Christ your Son:
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"