With a Blessing in My Soul


Arthur Hacker, The Annunciation, 1892



A friend shared this lovely recording of Biebl's Ave Maria this morning, which reminded me of a sacred learning experience that happened a couple of years ago.  I was privileged to be in a group of strong and courageous women and a few men when a Catholic sister led us in praying the rosary.  I'm not and have never been a Catholic, but I know the words well, especially those that I have sung over the years either in Latin or in the English translations.  I knew the text, but I had never imagined the depth that could come from repeating words over and over.  And I hadn't thought about how words I might not literally believe could open me to new depth and understanding of what I do believe.  

I was particularly touched by the Hail Mary.  

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen

 The first few times were just words, but then Mary was no longer just Mary.  I looked around the room.  There were several women in clerical collars.  Surely the Lord was with them. And blessed are they for embracing ministry as women and for women.

And then it went deeper.  All women are full of grace. The Lord is with all of us.  All of us are blessed.  And women carry within them what will change the world, what will save the world.

And I thought of this song which is not about Mary, but about a girl with an unexpected pregnancy.

But in the eyes of Heaven My place is assured I carry with me heaven's grand design......And I will be like Mother Mary With a blessing in my soul And the future of the world inside of me



But we are not just who we literally give birth to.  We are more than the children we bear, or don't.  The gifts and creativity we bring into the world are just as needed and just as holy.  A new prayer began to emerge.  Some may call it sacrilege or heresy, but I call it truth.


Hail Mary, 
Hail Jeannine, 
full of grace, 
God's grace is ever present and all encompassing, moving and working through you
the Lord is with you;
You are always encircled in the Love of God
blessed are you among women,
You are blessed, not more than everyone else, but with everyone else, by everyone else.  You, and every women, and every man, and every non-binary person, and every being on this earth, and all of the universe, 
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
This womb never has and probably never will bear children, but the womb is the source of creation.  The womb is creativity. The womb is where your most treasured dreams and visions and work begin their life.  And that work and those dreams have the power to save, to redeem, to love and to change the world.  
Holy Mary, 
Holy Jeannine, 
Mother of God,
Bringer of Life, 
pray for us sinners
Remind of who we are - children of a loving God,  and who we can be - the healers
now and at the hour of our death.
Let us never forget this, but let it wrap each precious moment in this knowledge, this witness.
Amen

In this season of Christmas, I invite you to celebrate the old story of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus.  And I invite you to look deeper.  What is inside you waiting to be born?  What Love will you nurture?  How will your dreams change the world?  

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