CALLED  AND  SENT 

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily  is, “Called and Sent.”

Today is a feast of Mary: the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A theme to reflect upon could be: Called and Sent.

TWO READINGS

The two readings for this Mass are: Judges 6:11-24 and Luke 1:26-36.

The first reading is the first reading for this 20th Tuesday in Ordinary Time and the gospel is from the Feast of the Queenship of Mary.

It is significant both these two readings are sort of side by side by accident - as I indicate in a few moments.

WE KNOW THE DYNAMIC

The title of my homily is, “Called and Sent!”

Called and sent is a regular dynamic.

Someone calls us up and asks, “Can you do me a favor?”

God calls someone and says, “Can you do me a favor?

We find this dynamic in the scriptures.

It goes something like this: There is an introduction and a greeting. Next comes a conflict or some problem. That’s why they called. We need you to have a baby - even though you’re close to being 100 years old. Don’t laugh. We need you to have a baby - even though you do not know a man.

We see these ingredients in today’s readings. We also see them in the Birth of Isaac and the Birth of Samson. We see them in the stories of Gideon and Mary.

After the introduction - the greeting - after the problem - someone  usually speaks up. How is this possible?

Then the problem is resolved a bit and then there is the being sent.

Other names for this dynamic is Annunciation and Commissioning.

GIDEON AND MARY

I still remember our scripture professors talking about reading the Gideon story and then the Annunciation story.

Re-read today’s first reading with the Annunciation account in mind - and compare them with each other.

“For example, We read in the book of Judges, “The Lord is with you, O champion.”  We read in the gospel of Luke, “Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Then the problem is presented. Then Gideon asks questions. Then Mary asks questions. Then Gideon is told he will see signs. Then Mary is told about her cousin Elizabeth being pregnant in her old age.

US

Each day God sends angels, messages to us.

The Lord is with us.

Do not be afraid.

Each day  is full of grace, if we open ourselves up to God.

Each day we have our babies to take care of.

Each day the Most High overshadows us - if we take the time to see that God does not wants to eclipse us - but to see the person right in front of us.

Today - see the person God sends us to see them.

Today, pray Mary’s prayer: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according you your word.