Evolving, Growing, Learning, Accepting

The premise of this blog is a faith in progress.

One of my goals has been to provide a window into the story of my faith as it evolves in real time. I’ve promised myself  – and you – that I will move forward with reason, rationality, a clear head, and eyes wide-open.

At the same time, I cannot and will not discount the role that faith, or perhaps some inexplicable ordering of my steps (whether one calls it serendipity, coincidence, or mere fate) may play during this process.

If that sounds grounded in self-delusion, or even wishful thinking, well so be it. At least you know the parameters.

By now you perhaps know a little of my story.

Before Francis caught my attention, I not only harbored multiple misconceptions about Church teachings, but what little I knew  – or at least thought I knew – was also enough to convince me that its doctrines were misleading, extra-biblical, somewhat mythical, and at times downright dangerous.

So it was, particularly, with matters concerning Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Convinced as I was that the Catholic faith had misconstrued and inappropriately magnified her proper role, I rejected what I believed had devolved into heretical worship.

Scores of popular books and academic tomes have been written about Mary, arguing both for and against her role in the great cosmic salvific plan. Protestants – and I was one for a time – acknowledge Mary as the Mother of God, but then often veer off, seeking to put as much distance as possible between themselves and any further exploration of Mary’s unique place. Speaking for myself, at that time, I saw the Catholic teaching with respect to Mary as mere fantasy, not firmly grounded anywhere in written Scripture, her elevation robbing her son of His proper place in our hearts.

Because this is a blog post and not an academic work or a scholarly review, it is not my intention to lay out for you all of the evidence or arguments pro and con – not that I am qualified to do so in any event.

But I do want to touch upon two specifics that have moved me just in the past few weeks. They, together, will point out to you the direction I am currently traveling.

Please note: a special acknowledgement for this post goes to Dr. Mark Miravalle and his book, Meet Your Mother.

First, we are, right now, in the middle of Advent.

As I have previously posted, I had never given much thought to this season, believing that we wrongly focused on the infant son instead of the mature Son of Man. As we await the celebration of the birth of Christ, we also anticipate His return.

But His physical nature and birth – which we as Christians believe was accomplished through the imparting of the Holy Spirit – could not have happened without Mary’s unequivocal yes.

As Mother Teresa famously and succinctly said: “No Mary, No Jesus.”

As I have come now to examine Advent more closely, taking each day seriously and with purpose, Mary’s role in Jesus’ physical birth alone now seems to me clear enough to accord her with a special place above all others.

As Dr. Miravalle points out (but I have not independently verified), even though Muslims do not believe that Jesus is divine but only a great prophet, they “nonetheless accept beliefs similar to Mary’s Immaculate Conception [and] her virgin conception and birth of Jesus.”

Moreover:

Mary is the only woman who has an entire chapter dedicated to her in the Qur’an . . . and is more revered than any woman related to Mohammed.

But perhaps even more fascinating is this exclamation, quoted by Dr. Miravalle in his book:

We are all children of Mary . . . Mary is the mother of Jesus and the mother of us all. If Christ is ours, his mother is also ours – She, the Lady above heaven and earth . . . Here passes the woman who is raised far above all women, indeed above the whole human race . . . no woman is like unto thee! Thou art more than an empress or a queen . . . blessed above all nobility, wisdom, or saintliness.

The source?

Martin Luther, some years after he was no longer a part of the Catholic Church.

I am left to wonder why I had never heard about Luther’s clear Marian beliefs before I returned to the Church. It seems that the Protestant reformer himself would be quite comfortable with current Catholic doctrine about Mary.

Mary’s place as mother – and more – above all others has been secured in my mind.

Second, I have been recently been exposed to Mary’s – to me previously unknown – role as the Untier or Undoer of Knots. This is something that Pope Francis himself has recently championed. But it has roots that is centuries old, perhaps as early as the second century.

It is a role that I have both come to accept and in which I have taken a special delight.

Basically, this nine-day intercessory contemplation and prayer (a Novena), seeks assistance in untying the “knots” that entangle our families, our relationships, our finances, our lives – really anything that seems too complicated or messed up for an ordinary human solution or reprieve.

Here is one version that I have found touching:

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life.

You know very well how desperate I am, my pain and how I am bound by these knots.
Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life.

No one, not even the evil one himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone.

Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot [herein mention a specific knot] I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all, You are my hope.

O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution and with Christ the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me

Read more about its proper use and format here.

I am in the middle of this particular undertaking right now.

I have found that, at least so far, it has permitted me to focus more and more closely on the specific “knots” that have entangled my life, knots that have become more complicated than I have been able to untangle on my own.

With continued practice, I am finding a calmness, a peacefulness, and a firmness of resolution that have all previously alluded me.

In short, it seems to be working on some level.

One might be tempted to call this nothing more than purposeful meditation.

Or one might call it unmitigated bunk.

As I move forward, I am more and more calling it restorative and helpful and joyful.

No doubt that you’ll find your own apt description should you decide to undertake it for yourself – which I hope that you will do.

So, you see, I’m not done yet.

I’m still evolving, and growing and learning, and accepting.

May it ever be so.

Peace

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