Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Mary did you know. . .


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It is a good song, well done by the Pentatonix (among others) but it is goofy theology.  It ignores the Word of God in pursuit of some hapless virgin girl who has no clue what is really going on.  That is not the Blessed Virgin Mother of our Lord.  Not at all.


Can you see the Mary of Luke 1-2 in these words?  I can't.
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you
Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I am
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Oh
Mary did you know?
The Blessed Virgin Mary is perhaps the only one who knew, who had an idea of what was to come, of who that child was, formed in her womb and born in Bethlehem.  She heard the Word of God spoken through the mouth of the Angel and felt the stir within her flesh.  She gave her consent to the will and purpose of God at great cost to her own ordinary dreams.  She heard the greeting of Elizabeth, about the jump of John in the womb, and sang her own song of praise for the goodness of the Lord.  She heard Simeon speak prophecy of Jesus still an infant and heard the promise of the sword that would pierce her own heart.  She watched Him grow in stature and in wisdom and was there to see Him converse with the wise men in the Temple.  She was among His followers all the way and even on the cross she would not leave Him.  She was gathered with the 120 in the upper room awaiting the promise He has given.  Mary, did you know?  You bet she did.  She is prototype of faith and of the faithful. 

It is fanciful speculation to suggest that Scripture is wrong and Mary did not know.  It is foolishness to wonder what she knew, posit what she might have thought over what she heard and saw. . .  Mary knew that her own Son would be the answer to the promise that would redeem Israel and not only Israel from their sins and Him who would become her own Lord and Redeemer.  Nice song.  Wrong words.  Mary knew.  She knew what we need to find out -- the same way she did.  By the Word. . .   Mary is a perfect example of the Scriptures - Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God. . . .  We need not speculate when we have truth to tell.

On this day when we recall and offer thanks and praise for Blessed Mary, Virgin Mother of our Lord, we ought to spend out time learning from her, emulating her faith and trust, and following her life of devotion to her Son. . . Then we just might learn what Mary long ago knew.
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm.
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things.
And the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel
as he promised to our forefathers Abraham, and his seed forever.
Amen.

3 comments:

John Joseph Flanagan said...

Excellent observations.

Carl Vehse said...

Mary did you know.... about the "40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury REPORT 1 Interim --Redacted," which reveals sexual abuse by hundreds of priests that went unchecked for decades in six Roman dioceses across Pennsylvania, including Allentown?

Ted Badje said...

The song may reflect Simeon’s announcement in Luke 2:32-33. Mary probably did not know the extent of Jesus’ ministry, and how some people would oppose him.