From her smallness and her poverty at the moment of the Annunciation, Our Lady contemplates the greatness of God who has looked upon her with love. Despite her problems, which were not few, she lives with joy because she trusts totally in the Lord and feels loved and cared for by him. God fulfills all her desires. She doesn’t need anything apart from God to live with joy, to be happy.
Our Lady teaches us something as simple as letting God gaze upon us; always trusting in him; feeling welcomed and enveloped in his tenderness; being cared for with a thoughtful, compassionate love; and, being continually forgiven with mercy.
Bishop @silviojbaez “Our Lady teaches us something as simple as letting God gaze upon us.” #VirginMary
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This fundamental feeling, which is at the root of faith, by instilling joy in us gives us a new capacity, by faith, to overcome the most painful and difficult moments. It enables us to act with mercy towards others, serving and caring for one another; and it also gives us the strength and creativity to imagine and build a new society based on freedom, social justice and respect for human dignity. If we were sad, none of this could be done.
Bishop Silvio José Báez, O.C.D.
Auxiliary Bishop of Managua
Homily, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
7 December 2019
Godfried Schalcken (Dutch, 1643–1706)
Oil on panel, about 1660–1665
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
Gallery Label: This finely painted work depicts the Annunciation: the Archangel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she has been chosen to become the mother of Christ. In a rather personal interpretation of the theme, Godfried Schalcken represented Mary as a young Dutch woman in contemporary dress, holding a loose scroll rather than the traditional book. The swirling clouds at his knees, the pointing gesture, and the bright light around the angel’s head betray Gabriel’s spiritual status, for he has no wings or traditional symbols to identify him as God’s messenger. Bright light illuminates Mary’s thoughtful face. Schalcken delicately manipulated light and shadow to describe the folds in Gabriel’s white gown and the shadows cast by his outstretched right arm and tilted head.
!["I took for my advocate and lord the glorious St. Joseph and earnestly recommended myself to him. [...] I don’t recall up to this day ever having petitioned him for anything that he failed to grant."](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/336879821_1374507696727108_3000064146961560788_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=GeKBPoaKfMcAX_QOTF6&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfBQ98yZ_dpFqhPvUWdp1Cq8NMY7bwsNY0_97P0_Bcsw3g&oe=64238CFB)
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The Bishop at his best as always. What powerful, positive insights. I can endorse the comment about sadness!
It’s true. This entire homily was a powerhouse of prayerful insights.