HOMILY - THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD
DECEMBER 31, 2016; JANUARY 1, 2017
SATURDAY 4:30 PM, SUNDAY 7:30 AM, 5:30 PM ORDINARY FORM MASSES
The Church teaches four Marian dogma; two of ancient origin, and two of more modern origin. They are:
1. Mary’s Perpetual VirginityJust 24 days ago, we celebrated the Solemnity of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. That dogma is one of the two modern dogma, having been promulgated in 1850 by Blessed Pope Pius IX (the ninth.) It was the resolution of a 400 year old theological argument between the Dominicans and the Franciscans. One that heated up so much in its first 200 years, that Pope Gregory XV imposed absolute silence on the until the Holy See should rule on the matter.
2. Mary’s Maternity
3. Mary’s Immaculate Conception
4. Mary’s Assumption into Heaven (at the end of her life)
The result was the first of the modern Marian dogma held by the Church.
The second modern dogma, was declared in 1950 by Venerable Pope Pius XII. That dogma is celebrated with solemnity on August 15.
The first ancient Marian dogma is Her Perpetual Virginity. This was widely supported by the early Church Fathers, and affirmed by many Ecumenical Councils by the 7th century. And even the early reformers held this until recent time.
And today, we commemorate the second ancient Marian dogma - Our Lady under the title of “Mother of God.”
Why all this talk about Mary? The reason being that all good theology about Mary is good theology about Jesus.
In fact, Her role as “Mother of God” was contested in a situation which brought into question who Jesus was.
In the 5th century, the new patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius – recently come from Antioch – was denying that Mary was “Mother of God,” and asserting that she was merely the “Mother of Christ.”
Nestorius also asserted that God could not become human, that Jesus could not be con-substantial with God the Father, and held that Christ was in a sense “possessed” by God the Son and was sort-of God and sort-of Man.
You may recognize in these words above a contortion of the Creed which we profess at every Mass. The Creed that was formulated in 325 at the Council of Nicea. We profess every time we recite the Creed that Jesus is “True God and true man” … “consubstantial with the Father” … “God from God, . . . True God from True God.”
The fathers of the Council of Ephesus in 431 recognized that by chipping away at what the Church would teach about Mary, Nestorius was putting the belief of all Christians at risk. That is, by going after the Mother, he was also attacking the Son.
Nestorius’ teaching was declared heresy – that is, is was seen as an opinion at odds with the ancient teachings of the Church. Nestorius never recanted his teaching, but he retired to a monastery where he lived out the rest of his days.
And so, today, we celebrate Mary’s Motherhood – the Greek title for this is “Theotokos” or “God-bearer.” We will affirm in a few moments in the Creed Jesus’ relationship to God and to us.
HOMILY GRAPHICS - 10:30 AM (ALL SCHOOL) ORDINARY FORM MASS
On a side note, the Catholic Church and the Nestorian Church of the East – in 1994 – signed a document affirming Mary’s title as Mother of God, and Mother of Christ. Ending a more than 1500 (fifteen hundred) year dispute.
Indeed, the Faith we hold is always Universal – a proposition of “both-and” and very rarely a proposition of “either-or.”
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, let us give thanks to Almighty God for the Faith we all hold – ever ancient, ever new. Let us also close out this Octave of Christmas, knowing that Christ has indeed come . . . and is with us . . . Emmanuel . . . our Savior . . . the Newborn King.
DUE TO THE DOGMATIC NATURE OF THIS HOMILY,
AND RECTORY CANINE'S INTEREST IN ALL THINGS "DOG,"
TOBY "THE WONDER DOG" IMPARTS HIS "WOOF" OF APPROVAL.
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