Aug 15., 2018 / Features, General, Soul Food
The path of faithfulness
As we reflect on Mary’s Assumption, heaven as a promise of our eternal home, we remember how this all began with Mary’s Yes at the Annunciation. Mary’s destiny is also our destiny, we are called to say Yes and to follow the path of faithfulness that Mary took:
Is this the way it was —
The ageless salvation gift’s announcing
Sculpted in a moment of time?
Strangely different, touching, haunting,
Earthily commonplace, sublimely graced.
She stands — a humble toiler
Strong, queenly, poised.
Head turned, still with the surprise
At the breath of angel voice.
Eyes and mouth resolute
Yet mellowed warm and with winsome tenderness.
Budding breasts revealing her readiness for birth.
Cloak and girdled-gown, their wind-brushed flowing
Clasped in a hand that would let
No hindrance to the message,
Even here where she toils gathering wheat.
Feet firmly resting on God’s good earth
Yearning in wait for its savior.
A total, human woman:
“How can this be . . . ?”
A total, open servant:
“Be it done unto me . . . .”
The wait is over
And WORD becomes flesh.
This Yahweh-woman
Stands forever on wheat;
Totally His, handmaid and mother,
Yet, gift to His people,
One of your own.
– The Handmaid by Sr. Maria Corona Crumback, I.H.M.
(June 11, 1915 – August 11, 2008)
Sculpture by Sr. M. Paula Beierschmitt, I.H.M. In The Handmaid, a 62-inch sculpture, Sr. Paula depicts the Virgin Mary, distracted by a breeze, seconds before the Archangel Gabriel speaks to her of the Messiah. Image taken from http://aasacredarts.org/about-sister-paula/sr-paulas-artwork/
