SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN: Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ

August 15th marks the Episcopal Church’s observance of the feast of Saint Mary the Virgin: Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ; though in this case it is transferred to the nearest Sunday, which is August 16th. And since we, St. Mary’s Parish, of Bonita Springs, FL are named for St. Mary, this is also the patronal celebration of our parish’s patron saint. In other words, this is a truly significant event on our liturgical calendar. Not only are we celebrating our life as the Body of Christ in service to one another and the greater Bonita Springs area, but we are honoring the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the course of the Church’s history much has grown up around the persona of St. Mary theologically, dogmatically, and in terms of veneration. The New Testament records St. Mary’s presence approximate a dozen times; and she is one of two persons mentioned by name in the Nicene Creed. But throughout all these events and circumstances she remained true to her “call” that God’s love would prevail, and her faith was never shaken. Perhaps, then, this is an apt moment and opportunity to reflect on how as a parish we are living into the model St. Mary provides us as we look to our future, and as we “call” a new rector to lead us into that future.

Perhaps one of the more appropriate events to look to for guidance from St. Mary was the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), when she said to the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”  The irony in this account of Christ’s first miracle was that the water he turned into wine was the best and last to be served, not as was the custom of serving the best first. In other words, we should be led in our parish life by where Christ is directing us to go; and we should not necessarily expect it to be predictable or what we anticipate based on what has come before. It could very well be we are being called to something new and different. Another example of St. Mary’s for us would be the several visitations at Christ’s nativity; in one instance humble shepherds and the other learned wisemen; a sign that the Christ she bore and nursed came to save all, and his kingdom is inclusive. Southwest Florida is diverse area in a multitude of ways and perhaps we’re being called to expand our efforts to reach out to those places and individuals who need the healing presence of God’s love. Thirdly, in the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) St. Mary says: “…he has filled the hungry with good things…”; and while we are already actively involved in a number of feeding programs perhaps we are being called to not only enlarge those efforts, but “feed” those in need in other ways, such as the companionship and fellowship of a loving Christian community.

It is difficult to avoid St. Mary’s presence at St. Mary’s parish; she is literally everywhere, inside and out. And this attribute of our parish is much to be celebrated and shared, on this her feast day as observed by the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. And as our patron saint she has and will continue to be a spiritual resource and model for us as we move, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and prayer, into our future. She has been a source of inspiration for the Church for two thousand years, and for St. Mary’s parish for more than forty; and she will continue to do so; for her…”soul magnifies the Lord”…and ours as well.