Called to Be a Theotokos

Are you also a Gilmore Girls Fan like myself? 

There was one episode in particular I found myself thinking as I started reflecting on what to write about. 

Very early on the day of Rory’s 16th birthday, Lorelai crawls into bed with her daughter beginning to recount her delivery: “And though some have called it the most meaningful experience of your life, to me it was something more akin to doing the splits over a crate of dynamite…” Lorelai continues to tell Rory about the screaming, swearing, and pelting the nurses with ice chips.

Whether it is Lorelai or Mary of Nazareth’s birth stories, there is something about hearing the story behind the birth of a baby that feels sacred.

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother God. In it, we celebrate Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. The honoring of Mary as the Mother of God can be traced to the Council of Ephesus in 431. It condemned the heresy Nestorianism, which viewed Christ as two separate persons (human and divine). It affirmed that Christ was one person with two natures and declared that Mary should be called Theotokos (“God-bearer” or “Mother of God”) because she gave birth to the divine Jesus as a man.

Mary of Nazarath was called by God to bear God into the world through her own body. Her willingness to accept to the plan of God, all possible by her yes. She carried Jesus in her womb and bore him through her physical body. Nursed him at her breast and endured sleepless nights with a fussy newborn. She needed her husband’s help and support in those early post-partum days and weeks. She had to learn how to become a new mom to this tiny baby entrusted to her care, who also was the chosen Messiah.

Mary was a God-bearer through her physical body. While you and I are not called to that path, we are invited to bring God to the places and spaces of our own lives.

You and I are called to be a Theotokos like Mary. We are called to bear God into this hurting, wounded world. By our actions, words, works of advocacy and generosity. In speaking up for injustices and evil. Standing with those are most on the margins of our communities, our Church, and our global family.

Our world does need more division and hatred. It desperately needs the witness of God-bearers to bring peace and hope and healing and mercy.

Mary is our example and intercessor. May we be open and receptive to how the Spirit invites us to bring the Divine presence into our world.

You are called to be a Theotokos just like Mary.

Today's Readings