A Homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
 
 
Put on the full armor of God.
Strap the armor of righteousness across your chest.
 
These are fightin’ words…words from St. Paul
intended to put you on high alert.
When I read them,
I can’t help but picture Paul 
shouting orders like a drill sergeant. 
 
As necessary as such passages are,
today’s feast in honor of Mary, Mother of God,
provides an alternate perspective.
Not that of a sergeant in uniform. 
but of a peasant in a poncho.
 
This perspective is beautifully expressed
by Sister Maria Emilia Peña,
a well-known poet in Mexico.
Listen to this portion of a prayer 
she addresses to Our Lady:
 
We come to you once again, 
walking through a world filled with cactus. 
We come with our souls bleeding from thorns 
of violence, greed and oppression. 
 
We ask you to ask your Son 
to transform our souls 
into ponchos and shawls, 
to protect us from these sins and thorns. 
 
Surely, on this holy feast, we can’t help but recall how,
on the night our Savior was born,
Mary wrapped her child in swaddling clothes 
and placed him in a manger.
 
This simple gesture,
radiant with maternal love,
conveys the assurance
of God’s affection
as well as protection.
 
Thus begins the sacred role
of everyday clothes in the life of faith.
Beginning with your baptismal garment,
aprons and coveralls, t-shirts and hoodies
turn into daily reminders 
of God’s presence.
 
St. Paul would agree.
In his Letter to the Colossians he writes:
“Clothe yours, as God’s chosen ones,  
with heartfelt compassion, kindness, 
humility, gentleness, and patience.”
 
That shirt on your back is a reminder that
“God’s got your back!”
 
The same notion applies to:
           leather gloves on the hands of a construction worker…    
           the protective gear of a haz-met worker.
           the surgical mask of a nurse in an operating room 
           the shin guards worn by a soccer goalie…
           and the list goes on!
 
Friends, when Mary clothed her infant son,
she wrapped him in love and protection.
 
Sr. Maria Emillia’s poem concludes  
With a similar message.
 
Holy Mother, we ask that you embroider 
your beautiful image Into our hearts…
with the threads of forgiveness and compassion, 
tenderness and truth. 
 
Yes, ponchos and blankets,
sweaters and shawls...snug symbols of faith!
 
No doubt, when her children leave the house,
Mary, like every mother,
makes sure they are dressed for the weather.
 
“Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ.”