Homily for September 28, 2008

Father Tom’s Homily
26th Sunday
September 28, 2008

In Nazareth there is a grand basilica that was built 40 years ago. It was built over the cave where it is said that the Angel Gabriel came to speak to the young girl Mary about being the mother of the Messiah.
Earlier churches had preceded this basilica at this same location.
There is another but much smaller church built over an ancient town well where, according to another tradition, Gabriel appeared to Mary when she went there to draw water.

The large basilica has become the goal for pilgrims from all over the world. The words carved over the front entrance reminds us of what happened at this place.
“Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis.” These are the words at the beginning of John’s gospel about the birth of Jesus.
The usual translation of these words is “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” It is notable that the literal translation of John’s text reads, “And the Word was made flesh, and pitched his tent with us.”

Though we look to Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus, the inscription at the entrance of this basilica reminds us that Jesus, the Son of God, began his earthly journey at Nazareth where we was conceived in Mary’s womb.
Our Franciscan scripture-scholar guide, Father Steven Doyle, calls this Basilica of the Annunciation “the most beautiful church in the Holy Land.”
He pointed at the large and unusually shaped dome over the sanctuary. It is the first thing the pilgrim sees as one approaches Nazareth. He noted that it as purposely shaped like a Bedouin tent – the kind of tent that has been used in the Holy Land since ancient times.
The tent-like dome emphasizes the good news of John’s gospel, “He pitched his tent with us.”

Our second reading contains a very ancient Christian hymn. It says “In Jesus Christ, God humbled himself, taking on a human form.”
The idea of a humble God turns upside down the usual idea that humans have always had about a God of power and might.

“He humbled himself.” In Jesus, God became a tiny infant, helpless and dependent on others for food and affection.
“He humbled himself.” Jesus lived a life of poverty. Along with Joseph, he work hard for a living as a carpenter. As a poor itinerant preacher, he noted, “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
“He humbled himself.” He was called a heretic by the religious leaders. The authorities considered him to be a dangerous rabble rouser. He was a dangerous preacher whose words were nonsense according to some of the important people.

“He humbled himself.” As a much revered Master, he knelt before each of his disciples and washed their feet at the Last Supper.
“He humbled himself.” Jesus was arrested, tortured and nailed naked to a cross at a city gate of the city of Jerusalem. Crucifixion was the most shameful form of execution. It was considered to be a sign of God’s condemnation.

Because of his humility, Jesus has been exalted as Lord.
The ancient hymn goes on,“At the name of Jesus every knee should bend.”
What happened at Nazareth was a turning point in human history. God pitched his tent with us. God became human like you and I.
He came to tell us that God is our loving Father, and that he, the Son of God, will guide us to the Father’s house.
There is no other mystery as important as God becoming human in Jesus Christ.

Besides the beautiful basilica in Nazareth, the memory of this wondrous event is recalled in an ancient prayer. It is called the Hail Mary. It is called a Catholic prayer because it has been used over the centuries mostly by Catholics.
It is probably one of the first prayers many of us learned as children.
The 40-word prayer begins with the greeting the angel gave to Mary. “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”
It is a beautiful prayer, as grand as the basilica. It should be held sacred, because it begins the story of God’s journey with us.

The remark of a sports announcer a few years ago has introduced a new phrase into our language. I find the use of it offensive.
Many years ago, Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie threw a desperation pass in the final seconds of a football game. It was caught by a BC receiver in the endzone and won the game. The announcer called it a “hail mary” pass. The phrase caught on and has entered our language to identify a last minute, desperation move.
Since that famous game, the phrase continues to be used. Recently we have heard it in the news reports about some political events.
For example, McCain’s decision to select Palin was called a “hail mary” move. I have heard it used several times in the news this past week. The emergency measures to solve our financial crisis with $700 billion has been called a hail mary move by our government.

I recall reading the remark of a university student who had not studied for a final exam, saying he would have to “hail mary it.”
The most offensive use of this phrase was the news report about a battle during first war against Iraq in the early 1990s. The report referred to “the now-famous “hail mary” attack into the Euphrates River Valley.

Why do I find the use of this phrase offensive? Because it trivializes the most sacred moment in human history.
The ancient Christian hymn quoted in St. Paul’s letter today instructs us how we should react to the utter humility of God in joining the human race.
It says “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend in heaven and on earth.”
Instead, persons speak of hail mary passes and battles.

The Hail Mary is not a prayer about desperation. It is a beautiful prayer about the loving humility of God, and the great hope it gives to all humans.
God’s gracious company is a source of great joy. Hail Mary, the Lord is with you. He is with all of us.