Reflection - There is More

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040918.cfm
Isaiah7:10-14, 8:1
Luke 1:26-38

The readings we reflect on today are those for the feast of the Annunciation, the day when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she had been chosen to be the mother of God. The focus of the day’s liturgy is Mary’s surrender to the will of our Father, and the texts call to mind the necessity of our cooperation with God’s grace. In point of fact, however, the feast could just as appropriately have been called the feast of the Incarnation, the day of celebrating the moment when God became man. We tend to memorialize that event, however, with the enchanting liturgy of Christmas. Nevertheless, there is an interconnection here which should not be overlooked. It is almost a footnote to Gabriel’s remarkable declaration to Mary. And it is infinitely appropriate that it should come to our attention just as we begin to fade in our enthusiasm for an empty tomb and a risen Christ.

The Incarnation is the commencement of the Resurrection, which, itself, is only brought to its ultimate conclusion with the Ascension.

But that is a theological statement; and, as accurate as it may be, it tends to obscure the truth I am struggling to share. So let’s approach this from a different perspective.

Immaculate Conception, Annunciation, Visitation, Incarnation, Transfiguration, Resurrection, Ascension, Assumption . . . Theologians have created a long list of “‘tions” for us to remember. Each seeks to capture the most indispensable details of the historical occurrence to which it refers. Each has a precise meaning so as to preserve the accuracy and validity of the truth being handed down. But, in spite of my own academic training and my attraction to religious studies, it is the personal significance of these events which captures and sustains my involvement over the long term. That significance is often difficult to put into words.

Let me offer a couple of incidents from the history of sports to help focus my explanation.

It was the World Series of 1932 — the New York Yankees vs the Chicago Cubs. When Babe Ruth came to the plate in the top of the fifth, the Chicago crowd and players, led by pitcher Guy Bush, were screaming insults at Ruth. With the count at two balls and one strike, Ruth gestured, possibly in the direction of center field, and after the next pitch (a strike), may have pointed there with one hand. Ruth hit the fifth pitch over the center field fence; estimates were that it traveled nearly 500 feet. The incident has gone down in legend as Babe Ruth’s called shot.

In 1969 the New York Jets were the clear underdog as they entered the stadium for Super Bowl III. Joe Namath was their brash young quarterback. On the Thursday prior to the contest, Joe’s style earned him substantial notoriety and a lot of skeptical looks for boldly guaranteeing a Jets' victory over Don Shula's highly rated Baltimore Colts. He made good on his prediction with a 16–7 upset.

We read of these incidents; we hear of others like them; and, if we’ve followed the sport at all, our spontaneous reaction is easily along the order of “Way To Go!” And we may pump a fist in momentary celebration. In the larger picture, however, these events have no bearing on me or my subsequent life. I suppose you might say they arouse a level of satisfaction, but that is short lived. I suppose you might cite them as inspirational, but that is not common. Life goes on the same as before. There’s just the assignment of a footnote in the sports history books. (By the way, the Jets 1969 victory still stands as their only Super Bowl win.)

Now let me return to that personal significance to which I referred before.

Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God, emptied himself, taking the form of mortal man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose from the dead. We profess these truths at least every Sunday. But, by their very uniqueness, these truths all tell one story — together they are one truth — one, drawn out, but singular event in the tapestry of time at the end of which Jesus overcomes death and returns to his Father. So how do we respond as they are brought to our attention? Give witness as astute reporters of these events? Cheer and celebrate from the sidelines as Jesus hits that resurrection home run. Applaud Jesus’ remarkable resurrection prophecy — his “called shot” as it were? Give Jesus a life-time achievement award?

Am I simply a witness to history?

An observer of Jesus accomplishment?

Part of an audience eager to stand and applaud?

The Scriptures tell me there’s so much more.

In his letter to the Philippians St Paul encapsulates the basic truths we have just enumerated from our creed. 

The Son of God, Paul says, "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And, being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him [through the Resurrection and raised him to the right hand of the Father]." (Philippians 2:7-9)

His words in this text could comfortably be attributed to someone on the outside looking in, someone cheering from the bleachers, the stone-cold witness of fantastical events. But when Paul turns his attention to those in various Christian communities, his words can no longer be seen as flowing from a perspective of detached observance.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)

Rather, his words point to a level of personal involvement which can only be understood as transformative. In other letters he will affirm this personal, active, participatory involvement in a variety of ways. He uses phrases which I have difficulty translating into my own personal reality rather than as metaphorical statements about the change which came through Jesus. He talks about:

• Our former man. Romans 6:6
  
• [being]Heirs with Christ Romans 8:17
  
• [that]Your bodies are members of Christ I Corinthians 6:15
  
• [that] We are all being changed into his likeness, from one degree of glory to another. II Corinthians 3:18
  
• [that] If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. II Corinthians 5:17
  

The world of my experience is one that has taken shape in the aftermath of my Baptism, where I entered into Jesus’ death. There is no ”before” with which to compare the “after.” The “old creation” to which Paul implicitly refers when he talks about being a “new creation” never really existed long enough for me to perceive any transformation. Ultimately, my grasp of what can only be called a trans-substantiation of myself was secretly hidden in the dogmatic truths of faith. The phantasm of my former self lingers and the reality of the new creation which I am becoming in Jesus struggles to gain foothold in my perception of reality. How do I know this? I know it because, like King Ahaz in the first reading I am timid in approaching my Father to ask hat I need. Jesus’s words to us echo those of the prophet Isaiah in that reading: “Ask the Father anything in my name and he will give it to you.” So, today I still flounder in my attempts to ingest a reality which has come to pass within me. And for that, I find myself seeking interior conformity through a heartfelt adhesion to some simple truths.

God loves me!

Individually and Personally he loves me!

He loves me so much that he would die for me!

He desires our loving relationship so greatly that he would change the very core of my being so that I can be called his son.

These are truths that demand my participation.

I cannot be just an observer, for my life is no longer what it was.