Assumption of Mary Cycle A
Pulpit Plan
Theme : Praise and Thanksgiving change our perspective!
1st Reading : Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6.10
Responsorial Psalm : Ps 45
2nd Reading : 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Gospel : Luke 1:39-56
- What do we do when things look impossible?
- What do we do when faced with life’s obstacles, surprises, hurts and disappointments!
- For very nearly 40 years, a giant block of marble, sitting in grounds of the cathedral in Florence, was left untouched by every sculptor who examined it!
- The problem was that the first artist who had tried to sculpt from the rock had left a hole running all the way through it!
- None of the artists that followed could figure out how to work with such an imperfection!
- It was not until 1501 when Michelangelo saw it that it would find its true purpose: to become the great statue of David!
- Michelangelo was able to see something that others failed to see and carved around the hole!
- And so, the problem became part of the solution – part of the masterpiece!
- Michelangelo had the proper perspective – he did not look at the problem; he looked through the problem!
- We all, at some time or other, experience giant problems in our lives – obstacles that appear insurmountable!
- We can do two things:
- We can, like King David, grab a sword and charge ahead! OR
- We can grab a shield and run away!
- What did Mary do when faced with her seemingly insurmountable problem – that she was pregnant outside of marriage – with some sort of special child?!
- She sings out her praise and thanksgiving to God!
- Seems strange, does it not?
- BUT, her praise and thanksgiving, give Mary a whole different perspective of the problem!
- She no longer sees the problem, the scandal, the fears, the uncertainties but rather the solution!
- She can see through to the other side!
- John, writing to the early Church that was dealing with huge problems – persecution, torture and death – also provided them with a different perspective!
- He did not focus on the problems but rather, looked through them towards a solution –
- God is in control!
- Despite the fact that the Church is assaulted by powerful forces of evil – it is protected by God!
- The early Christians needed to hear this, they needed to see further!
- If they had not, they might well have given up on the task of creating the Church!
- What are our problems today – what are your problems – what are mine?
- There are so many we can find at this time – it is good to identify and name them!
- We can look at them and moan about them – but that does us no good – it very seldom changes anything!
- If Mary is our model – and this feast day reminds us that she is – then we should try to do what she did!
- We must look at things with a different perspective!
- Paul reminded the people of Corinth that Christ’s resurrection was the crowning event of salvation!
- And that they would participate in that resurrection in the future!
- This is the reason to change perspective!
- Because of our baptism, we are able to work through any problem, even if it is as big as a six-ton hunk of marble with a hole right down the middle!
- This is the reason for our praise and thanksgiving!
- We must praise and thank God for our situation – for every situation
- The more we are able to make praise and thanksgiving part of our day – every day
- The more our perspective changes!
- Michelangelo saw greatness in a flawed rock
- God saw much more greatness in a simple young handmaiden from Nazareth!
- And he sees greatness in us living stones – even with our holes and flaws!
- Today’s feast reminds us that we should praise and thank God that he does see more in us than we are able to see in ourselves!
- He did not focus on the problems but rather, looked through them towards a solution –