Saturday, December 12

Scripture: Luke 2: 34-35
Behold this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN

Luke blithely terms these words to Mary a blessing. I doubt most mothers would hear them so. I find support in Tanner’s portrayal of a Mary who might be feeling less than blessed by Simeon’s words. Of course, that is hard to tell. Mary’s face is hard to read. I suppose there is no emoticon for “having your soul pierced by a sword.”  But I think it is fair to say she has mixed emotions on the matter.

What is in Mary’s mind as she contemplates her largely hidden son sleeping in a barren room? She is famous for “treasuring up things in her heart” and “pondering these things.” Where did her pondering lead?

Long before Simeon, she had a lot to ponder. An angel declares her child will be called Son of the Most High, and will sit on the throne of David, and his kingdom will have no end. That’s a lot to think about. Imagine the other mothers in Nazareth asking, “What do you think he will be when he grows up?” Mary answers, “Messiah.” Pretty much of a conversation stopper. Not long afterwards angels and shepherds storm the stable where Jesus is freshly delivered, looking for a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Wisemen from the East were soon to follow. No wonder Mary pondered.

But I cannot help but think her ponderings took a different turn with Simeon. His blessing describes a child who will make people fall and rise and who will serve as a sign of opposition. He is one who will reveal the thoughts and hearts of people. And swirled into the mix is the prospect Mary’s soul being pierced as with a sword.

My guess is that Mary is not pondering, “What will he be when he grows up?” but rather, “What path is he called to tread?”

And the answer seems to be that he will tread troubling paths—or paths which will trouble others. Simeon’s blessing foreshadows a Jesus who, for many, will not be a path but a fork in the road. A forced decision. A person who one embraces or against whom one rebels.

Jesus will also tread a path that will be troubling to himself. A path into the wilderness to confront Satan; a path to Jerusalem to confront those who seek his life. He will tread a path down the Mount of Olives with palm fronds waving; he will tread the Via Dolorosa with blood flowing. And true to Simeon’s blessing, all these paths will be paths of decision and confrontation. Paths that will reveal the secret truths of countless souls.

Doubtless Mary ponders her own path as well. When the angel first spoke to her she responded with the simple phrase, “I am a servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” And now she wonders what his word will accord.

And it is here that I discover my favorite aspect of Tanner’s painting. I see a Mary that is equal parts pondering and resolution. The depth of her fears and questions do not diminish the strength of her resolve. Perhaps the angelic message didn’t mean what she thought it meant, but she has no doubt that the words conveyed the message of God. And she has no doubt that Simeon is conveying the blessing of God. And she had no doubt that she is the servant of God. So, in the stillness of her barren room, her face repeats the promise of her heart, “Let it be done to me according to your word.”

What a wonderful model Mary leaves us. When Jesus bids us, “Follow me!,” we embark on paths that he has walked—paths which are often troubling. They may be paths that lead to temptations, confrontations, sorrow or even death. But they are chosen paths: not chosen by us, but chosen for us. We walk them because we follow Christ. The paths may lead us to ponder like Mary did, but may they also lead us to her resolve: we are the Lord’s servants, may it be done to us according to His word.

PRAYER
Lord, we approach you with thankful hearts mindful of the grace and virtue Mary manifested in her life. She was chosen by you as a holy vessel and as a witness to your truth. We ask you to give us the grace to follow Christ as she humbly exemplified, so that as we run the race we will trust you for all that comes our way, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Rick Langer, Director, Office of Faith and Learning; Professor Biblical Studies