Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary Years 1 and 2 2024

Title

Dealing with Issues in Life

Outline

By “chance” before writing this I had watched a video lecture by Dr. Tim Fletcher on Narcissism and Leadership and had listened to an audio podcast by Julie Roys with Nancy French about the latter’s life.

We all encounter issues in life

There are a variety of responses we could make, such as withdrawal into silence or immediately to slander the person or group by giving our interpretation to whoever we wish, usually to sympathetic ears, etc. But a godly response is quite different.

The issue is that we do not have the heart of Jesus nor the immaculate heart of Mary. What would it look like if we did?

Timothy had to use his episcopal authority

Paul had appointed him to act as his successor in Ephesus. Thus he is acting within the sphere of his authority. Yet due to his age, his temperament, his fear of consequences or whatever he seems to have had a tendency to avoid using his authority.

Paul charges him “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus” in strong terms to “proclaim the word” within the Church, whether people like it or not, reprimanding or encouraging those who need one or the other, to stop deviation from “sound doctrine” due to the tendency of people to go into at least internal schism according to their own desires - individualism.

This may lead to attacks on Timothy. So Paul says, “be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship.” And the hardship could both from within and from without when he performed “the work of an evangelist.” It was all part of fulfilling his ministry.

Then Paul finishes his exhortation with his own example of ministry well done and his impending death and what he knows will come afterwards.

That is ministry well done.

The Blessed Virgin had another sphere of authority

The goes on its usual Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem. But this year was different, for Jesus was twelve and so rather than stay with the Mary and the other women and children, he goes off with the men beyond the court of the women, doing this throughout the feast, for he was now a man.

Mary had kept an eye on him growing up, but now she could not follow him. Perhaps he had gone to Temple prayers as Mary was packing up, but if he had at first gone with Jesus, Joseph returned to load a beast of burden, if they had one. They leave thinking Jesus was in the caravan.

Of course they were surprised and anxious when they discovered he was gone. And they spent at least a day looking around Jerusalem for him - he clearly had not tried to run after the caravan.

But they find him in the Temple, in a discussion with the teachers, sitting, not standing, listening attentively and then asking questions and when they were stumped, giving his own answers, a type of Socratic method. The teachers were clearly impressed.

Mary rushes over to him and basically says, “I do not understand all this.” But she puts it into a question: “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” Her question elicits a calm response: why did you look all over the place for me? Did you not know that I am a man and whose Son I am? “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

That stopped their complaints, even if Mary would spend years mulling the words over along with other words from earlier. And Jesus does not press the point: we returns to Nazareth, is obedient, working in Joseph’s business. He is patient: his parents were holy people and they would understand in God’s timing.

So what do we see here for us?

First, of course, the responsible love of Mary and her openness to her now-adult child. Love comes first.

Second, in both readings, knowing the sphere of one’s authority and using it appropriately. I have the authority of a father of adult children, but that authority is not over other people’s children. I had the authority of a professor, but only over my students. I have the authority of a priest, but not the authority of a pastor even if I am celebrating for a pastor. This is very important in dealing with demons.

Third, ask questions until you know what someone else’s behavior means or beliefs are. And be patient until you understand - Mary likely did not fully understand until the foot of the cross or perhaps the resurrection.

Fourth, within one’s authority use it appropriately, encouraging and rebuking the persons involved, not speaking about them to others.

Fifth, be ready to suffer for doing your duty well: Mary did, Jesus did; Paul did.

Sixth, remember that your reward comes after a life faithfully lived, not necessarily within this life. It is then that all will answer to God, who will make no errors in judgment, and then that we will get the reward we by grace deserve. Thanks be to God.