Enter the Mystery

At the heart of the Shrine Church at Walsingham is the Holy House, a replica of the Nazareth Home of Mary where she received the angel’s greeting. 

As many people from South Wales prepare to make pilgrimage to Walsingham on Monday, here’s a reflection on that divine encounter and Mary’s loving response , and what it could mean for us in our own daily living.

Across the country
there’s a shortage in social housing.
Politicians make promises
but private investment often takes precedence,
which means that those with little money
have little hope of having their own place to call home
and are left on an increasingly growing waiting list.

The home of Mary in Nazareth
would be almost unrecognisable
from those we build in Britain today.
Nestled into rock with a brick extension butting out,
and shared common facilities,
it was a place she called home,
a place she shared with others,
welcomed others.

Perhaps, at times,
despite such overcrowded conditions,
she could be alone and quite at home there.
Maybe it was one of those quieter days
when Mary's alertness to God was deepened,
as she experienced a memorable encounter,
a time of change.

Today, we have Luke's written witness,
an insight into Mary's life that day,
a peek through the keyhole,
a glimpse into her heart.

Some time ago, there appeared a photograph
on someone's Social Media feed,
featuring the image of Our Lady of Walsingham
in the Roman Catholic Shrine's Slipper Chapel,
 asking people not to touch the image,
for the statue was alarmed.
Mary was alarmed.

Meanwhile, back in Nazareth,
we know that Mary had questions for the angel.
She grappled with the message,
her whole life shaken,
the angel reassuring her,
“Do not be afraid.”

Mary has learned to be at home with God,
and to welcome him not just into her home
but into the whole of her life,
into her heart.

In the Eastern Orthodox Tradition of the Annunciation
the encounter is more drawn out,
given more depth.
It begins as she draws water from the well.
So easily could she be distracted,
and yet she senses God’s presence
even in the midst of everyday jobs.

In her arms she carries water.
In her heart she carries Christ back to her home.
Yes, she is alert to God in walking and stillness,
in work and play, in rising and resting.
Through those moments of attentiveness to God
in her work and in her busyness,
she herself becomes a home for Christ.

For nine months,
the whole of her being
becomes aware of the presence of God,
kicking and moving and growing within her.

And what of our home?
Maybe our own home is too full,
too busy at times,
or maybe it feels empty, lonely,
too still, too silent.

For some, home may be uncomfortable,
full of tension and frayed relationships,
filled with memories
 too much to take,
not homely at all.

"Do not be afraid,"
the Angel said to Mary.

And what of the house of the church
with its altar shaped heart
and a tabernacle full of treasure?
In the Eucharist, Christ comes to dwell with us,
feeding us and filling our lives with his love.

Perhaps we too are on a Waiting List.
Waiting for things to happen,
anxious to see things move on,
have things change for us,
for others.

Wanting something different,
something new.
Something to change.
Waiting on God,
learning the art of being attentive to him,
being at home with him,
as he comes to make his home with us.

Gospel

You can read the account of the Annunciation in the gospel according to Luke:

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-28)

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