If Jesus is the archetype of how the divine gift is being given, Mary is the archetype of how the divine gift is always received: it is always totally free and undeserved. The shocking thing is that the Scripture actually says almost nothing about Mary. No credit ratings are stated, no achievements; it doesn’t say she prayed a lot or went to the temple. No talk of heroic deeds, or even love for the poor. She is the poor one herself.
Mary knows how to receive a gift with total freedom, without needing to say “Lord, I am not worthy.” She knows how to be totally vulnerable and humble before Mystery. Mary knows she did not earn anything. It was all mercy, grace, and God’s utterly free and gratuitous choice. (Mary uses the word “mercy” three times in her Magnificat [Luke 1:46-55]). Mary had nothing to do with it, except, of course, saying YES to it!
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and then this came for this week's (the 6th week's) Calendar of the Soul reading.:
There has arisen from its narrow limits
My self and finds itself
As revelation of all worlds
Within the sway of time and space;
The world, as archetype divine,
Displays to me at every turn
The truth of my own likeness.
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English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
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Es ist erstanden aus der Eigenheit
Mein Selbst und findet sich
Als Weltenoffenbarung
In Zeit- und Raumeskräften;
Die Welt, sie zeigt mir überall
Als göttlich Urbild
Des eignen Abbilds Wahrheit.
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Later: I have already forgotten what the third thing was. Tonight, several days later, I had dinner with old friends who were visiting Santa Fe. One talked about moving to Ann Arbor years ago from Takoma Park and "not knowing who she was anymore...." , she didn't have her friends to hold a mirror up for her anymore. It is comforting to me to hear others express spontaneously what I happen to be feeling.
