AROUND YOUR NECK

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this feast of  the Solemnity of Mary - the Holy Mother of God -  is, “Around Your Neck.”

ANTHROPOLOGY

Who was the first human being to wear something around their neck?

Are there any paintings - and there have been a lot of paintings in the history of our world - are there any paintings of Adam and Eve where they have something around their neck?

I remember watching a documentary about the history of our world - how we evolved - how we migrated - how we came about. Showing some hunters moving along through the woods or mountain passes some early people stopped to bury one of the group who had died. The narrator said this was a jump in our evolution - to stop to bury our dead. To pause, to cry, to leave a marker for the next time we come back this way. “Here is where X died and is buried.”

The title of my homily is, “Around Your Neck.”

Did someone take something from the deceased - put a rope or string through it and wear it around their neck as a reminder of a loved and appreciated one?

Who was the first human to wear something around their neck?

I assume in classes and courses on anthropology someone mentions the human practice of wearing medals and chains, rosaries, bones and beads, shells and stones, around necks. 

Thinking about this - while putting together this homily - yes, in those National Geographic Magazines and Documentaries about aborigines and native peoples around the world, often they are wearing stuff around their necks.

TODAY’S FIRST READING

Why am I mentioning this topic?

Well, in today’s first reading from Numbers 6 we have the Aaronite Blessing.

Hear the reading again: “The Lord said to Moses: ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: “This is now you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!’”

I remember reading years ago that they found in a dig in Jerusalem two amulets or charms that people would have worn.   It was silver and in the shape of a scroll. The anthologists were very careful examining it. They were estimated to be some 2600 or 2700  years old.  Next they figured from its size - the size of a quarter or a finger - and the hole in it, that someone wore this around their neck. Next they saw that there was writing on these amulets - and they were very, very, very careful in unrolling these amulets.

Surprise they discovered it was the Aaronite Blessing.

Did the person who wore it - were there many of these - try each day to be gracious and kind and bring peace to those they met that day?  And if they did, did their face shine?

TODAY

Today - January 1^st -  is a feast for Mary, the Mother of God.

Today is also called, “World Day of Praying for Peace.”

Wouldn’t it be great if people who wear a rosary around their neck or the neck of the rear view mirror in their car - wear that - not just as a piece of jewelry - but also as a reminder to pray for others - in the various mysteries of life.

Wouldn’t it be great if those who wear an image of Mary around their neck - hold it for a moment - say a prayer for the day - or a Hail Mary - that they be full of grace - that they realize that,  “The Lord is with us today” - and do what Mary did - see everyone we meet as blessed - accept ourselves as not only graced and blessed - but we are sinners at times - and may that help us to understand each other better.

Wouldn’t it be great if we all prayed at least a Hail Mary together each day for peace in our world and in our families and work places and play stations.

And wouldn’t it be great if the father of each family - or mom - or both or all said the Aaronite Blessing each day or each night before going to sleep.

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “Around Your Neck”.

I once had a wonderful prayer experience.  I was simply sitting in prayer - and I sort of spaced out - perhaps even falling asleep - and I picture Christ as the Good Shepherd walking with me around his neck - like I was the lost sheep and he just found me.

I woke up and reflected on the possible message.  Christ is carrying me and all of us when we get  lost like stupid sheep around his neck. Then I began thinking how the underneath of a sheep must smell - and that’s me - skin to skin - my underneath - skin to skin -  to Jesus’ neck. Amen.