Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Basilica Custodians Mass
October 23, 2023
Introduction
It is a pleasure to offer Mass with you this evening here in the heart of America’s First Cathedral, our beloved Basilica. This Mass and the reception that will follow in my residence gives me an opportunity to thank you for all that you do to ensure that this beautiful Basilica will be preserved and maintained, not merely as an historic monument or as an architectural masterpiece, but indeed as a living, breathing parish community in the heart of our City, a parish community largely made up of young adults.
This venerable cathedral is dedicated, as we know, to the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of Our Lady of the Assumption. So, whenever we are together, our thoughts rightly turn to Mary who prays for us and inspires our mission as Cathedral Custodians.
Abraham’s Truest Daughter
In this evening’s reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, the Apostle reflects on the faith of Abraham. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations and that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the shore. Even though Abraham and his wife Sarah were beyond child-bearing years, they trusted in God’s promises and he gave them a son, Isaac. When God put Abraham’s faith to the test by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham responded with “the obedience of faith” – God did not ultimately ask Abraham to sacrifice his son – but in his grace and power Abraham’s faith was proven, like refined silver.
When we read of Abraham’s faith by which he was empowered and gave God glory, we naturally also think the faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ancient Christian writers often said that Mary conceived the Word of God in her heart by faith before she conceived him in her womb by the Holy Spirit. When the Angel told Mary she was to become the Mother of the Messiah, she trusted the Angel’s Word and responded with the obedience of faith.
As Elizabeth said of her cousin, Mary, “Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.”
Lest we think that God’s favor to Mary exempted her from suffering, we have only to think of Mary standing beneath the Cross, witnessing her Son’s death and sharing in his Sacrifice like no one else. Truly, her heart was pierced with the sword of sorrow. Yet she believed, hoping against hope, trusting in the plan and power of God, giving God glory even in that moment when her heart was rent.
In her unconquerable faith, Mary proved herself Abraham’s truest daughter. This evening’s Responsorial p=Psalm is the Canticle of Zachariah – a celebration of God’s faithfulness to his covenant, from Abraham to Christ. But it also reflects Mary’s faithfulness, which stands from age to age.
Monument to Mary’s Faith
In these challenging days in the life of this local church, we may wonder about its prospects for long-term survival. We may think we are on a path of inevitable decline. The faith of Abraham and the faith of Mary beckon us to think otherwise. So too, the faith young people who come to this venerable Basilica beckons us to approach the future with strong faith, unflinching hope, and generous love, recognizing that the Lord is at work in our midst, purifying his Church, and continuing to infuse us with a truth and love stronger than our sins and more powerful than death itself.
This evening, as we celebrate the One Sacrifice that brought about our salvation, let us ask for the grace to be true spiritual descendants of Abraham and Mary – those who are empowered by faith and who give God glory, those who are blessed because we trust that God’s promises will be fulfilled.
May God bless us and keep us always in his love!