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Wisdom's Spirit: She Speaks to Us
One of the features of Roman Catholicism that attracted the unchurched woman was our recognition of the feminine
This Fr. Gerry Creedon homily was delivered at St. Charles on August 17, 2003
"WISDOM HAS BUILT HER house, she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine. Yes, she has spread her table." Prov. 9,1
The opening reading refers to the spirit of wisdom in the female gender. The Spirit is often seen as feminine. The spirit blows where she will.
We have become aware in our time of how Islam is used and abused to oppress and demean women. The question rises as to whether all religion is repressive. A new movie "The Magdalene Sisters" documents a sorry abusive chapter in Irish Catholicism.
Books on Mary Magdalene are recently on the top lists for summer reading. There is a search for an alternative approach. We need a fresh look at Jesus' attitude to women.
When Mary Magdalene washed his feet with her hair and anointed him with precious perfume, Jesus shocked the religious leaders around him by allowing this situation of intimacy. Jesus stood up for Mary's dignity despite public perceptions. When Jesus went to Jerusalem, he stayed in the company of his friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary, perhaps the same Mary. The Magdalene may have been one of the three Marys who accompanied him on Calvary. It was Mary who first proclaimed the resurrection to incredulous official church leaders. In a variety of ways Jesus broke the cultural and religious mould when he raised up the dignity of woman.
In this season of Assumption we reflect on another Mary. I have just returned from a family wedding in Ireland where we began to answer the question that has been with us since my mother's death, "Can the family hang together despite our mother's absence?" Mary, mother of Jesus and mother of the church, occupies a similar role as anchor and unifier for the family of faith.
At another wedding yesterday in St Charles chapel the couple included a gesture that is often surpassed in favor of candle ceremonies. After Communion both the bride and groom brought lilies to the Virgin. Alberto from Peru broke down and cried, comforted by his North American bride. In usual circumstances involving the inexpressive American male tears would give rise to questions about the couples' happiness. In this situation this gesture brought back the memory of a father who had died at the age of 50 when the groom was a teen. Alberto had proposed marriage at the statue in the church of Our Lady of Lourdes. Latin American Catholics have kept alive a precious aspect of our heritage, our devotion to Mary. An unchurched young woman inquiring about RCIA recently observed to me that one of the features of Roman Catholicism that attracted her was our recognition of the feminine.
The opening reading from the Book of Proverbs refers not only to the Spirit but to Mary who was full of grace and filled with the spirit of God.
May the inspiration of Mary Mother of Jesus and Mary of Magdala, as well as the sacrament we share renew within us this same life of the spirit so that we will rid our world and our own church of all oppression and indignity.