August 15, 2006 At Saint Mark Church in Norman, O
Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10 + 1 Corinthians 15:20-27 + Luke 1:39-56
It’s a story of pilgrims and of barrenness that we proclaim on this Holy Day. It’s a story of two women, one old and the other young. It’s also the story of everyone making life’s pilgrimage; both old and young. The fact is, we are all a barren people: some of us like Elizabeth who has lived on this earth a long time with little if anything to show for it and even less to leave behind; some of us like Mary young and full of youthful dreams all interrupted by a divine surprise that through her life into turmoil.
With lives in transition, they meet as spiritual pilgrims, lives open to God and willing to explore for the sake of goodness the divine plan for their lives. For one it has taken a long time, for the other, it is just at the beginning. Yet through the sons they bore, the Spirit begins a new age, a new creation in which we find the Kingdom of God. It is the age of the Spirit. They have both been filled with it. For one that Spirit brings life. For the other that Spirit bring Joy. It is the end of the ear of barrenness. Caught in the rapture of that Spirit, Elizabeth sings the first “Ave Maria.” Benedicta Tu In Mulieribus: Blessed are you among women. She sings with such Spirit that the child she carries leaps for joy.
The barrenness of human life is at an end. All human life is now filled with the divine presence. The barrenness of sin is now destroyed by this Spirit which will bear fruit in a divine visitor in human flesh that makes us all leap for joy.
We are a people whose lives are in transition. Today we meet in this place like Mary and Elizabeth: some old and some young. Hope and Joy, Life and Holiness are stirring with in us. This day we proclaim that our barrenness is at an end. This day we proclaim that those who are obedient and give flesh to the Word of God will be filled with the Spirit and one day be in the presence of God for death has no power over them.