In the Magnificat, Mary uses three words right from the beginning Lord/Savior/ Mighty One, that let the ruling world of the Caesars know that there is something life changing coming, some event that will rock their world:
“And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts,
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
To Abraham and to his descendants forever.” (Luke 1: 46-55)
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Mary’s use of the words Lord, Savior, and Mighty One are in direct contradiction to the Roman culture of the day. It was Caesar who was considered Lord (kyrios), Savior (soter), and the Mighty One (ho dynatos). For example, “Julius Caesar was described as ‘the god made manifest…and common savior of human life.’” Mary was predicting that now there is a new Lord, Savior, and Mighty One to replace the Caesar ‘lord emperor over all.’ What threat this was to those in power! Any similarity with today’s threats to power?
When we read/pray the Magnificat with strength and resolve, we can hear the power of trust that Mary had in God that allowed God to use her to move her people to a new message of life, to a new way of being; a message
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that capsized cultural system of the emperor as lord and savior, of degradation and deprivation of the poor, the marginalized, and the enslaved. Mary is prophesying the overthrow of the Roman Emperor, and she will teach her son the same thing. The message of Jesus our Christ which we live and profess is a message of hope.
From yesterday’s homily: “Mary of Nazareth is our sister and our mother, depending on our need. As a human being who is ever-faithful, she is a model among models in the Communion of Saints. What more do we need from Mary in the 21st century?”
Source: Wisdom’s Feast: An Invitation to Feminist Interpretation of the Scriptures by Barbara E. Reid, OP.)
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Below Responses Requested by End of Week |
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Dear Beloved People of God – the Rocky Mountain Region family:
As we celebrate the gifts of summer, we rejoice that the winds of Sophia Spirit have stirred among us in our collective “Yes” to call a local bishop. I am honored and humbled by the leadership gifts you recognize and call forth in me. I stand with you, excited and ready to serve our “household” or regional family...
...Now what?
I have a question for you!!! “
As a member of our region, what do you expect, need or want from me, your local bishop, in the next six months or year?”
(Respond via this link or directly to Mother Kae via her email)
Bishop-elect Kae 720-232-1562
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Bishop-Elect Kae Madden Requests your Affirmation of Dcn. Rosean for ordination to the Priesthood
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A letter from Bishop Elect Kae Madden was read yesterday at Mass announcing Dcn. Rosean's completion of requirements for ordination to the priesthood.
Mother Kae's letter (full letter here) requests each member of the community to affirm Rosean's intention to serve the Mary of Magdala community by signing this affirmation document and list a gift that you see in Rosean.
Click here if you did not have an opportunity to add your name to the affirmation list after yesterday's Mass.
For private communication with Bishop-elect Kae, call 720-232-1562 or send an email to maddengk@msn.com
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Recording for Sunday - Aug 15, 2021
The recording of readings and the homily given by Co-Pastor Jane Reina is available here. You can also view or print the Mass here to assist in prayer.
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#BLM - Honoring Anne Marie Becraft, Educator & Catholic Nun |
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Anne Marie Becraft was born in 1805, the oldest of 7 children of prominent, free, Black, Catholic parents. She began her formal education at the age of four at the Potter School in Washington D.C. but race hostilities forced her to leave in 1812. She continued studying at New Georgetown, another white-operated school, until 1820 when D.C. policy changes explicitly prohibited white involvement in the education of Black people or anything that might encourage or help slaves gain their freedom.
Only 15 years old, Anne Marie founded and became the proprietor of a day school for Black girls. Not only was this remarkable for someone so young, but as a Black woman, she had no right to own property. Her intelligence and work ethic attracted the notice of John Van Lommel, a Jesuit priest, who helped her establish a larger school for 30-35 students. The new school functioned both as a day school for some girls and as a boarding school for others.
In 1831, Becraft left the school and moved to Baltimore to join the recently formed Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first African-American women’s religious order in the country. She taught arithmetic, English and embroidery at St Francis Academy until she passed away in 1833 at the young age of 28 from a chest malady she had since she was 15 years old.
The graphic is by Chloe Becker who uses her art to shed light on racism in America and specifically in the Catholic Church. About the graphic, Chloe says,
“Sr. Becraft is standing in front of two schools: the one on the left, she founded in Washington D.C. when she was 15 for Black children who were being pushed out of schools with white teachers due to racist policies; the one on the right (Saint Frances Academy), where she continued to teach after she joined the Sisters of Providence, furthering her commitment to education. The phrase in the sky pays homage to Maya Angelou’s poem, “Still I Rise” and directly names how white society disenfranchised Anne Marie Becraft then and Black women today. White society degraded her mind by limiting access to education. This continues today by discriminatory practices in schools against Black students. Then, white society degraded Black women’s souls by believing that Black people did not have souls. Remnants of that belief exist today in the subconscious and overt suspicion of Black Americans’ goodness as evident in racial profiling. Society has degraded Black youth historically and today through systems that stunt their futures.”
Today, we pray in gratitude for the legacy of people like Anne Marie Becraft and young artists like Chloe Becker shining a light on historical and current racist realities.
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Past Recordings, Bulletins, and Announcements
For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com. And feel free to call the office at 970 493-9536.
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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Who Are the 301 Faith Partners? |
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The 301 Faith Partners have a Vision,
Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
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Read the Vision, Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.
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