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"See, I am making all things new." - Revelation 21:5
The New
Eve in the Holy City
The
Emperor Justinian I, one of the greatest rulers of the Byzantine Empire, the
man who codified Roman law and built the Hagia Sophia, was also a man of deep
Christian faith. In 530 AD, he completed and dedicated in Jerusalem a
magnificent church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Nea
Ekklesia, the New Church.
The Nea Church was one of the largest churches in Jerusalem, built with
imperial extravagance in honor of the Theotokos, the God-Bearer. Marble
columns, gilded mosaics, all the magnificence the Byzantine court could bring
to bear, were offered to the Mother of God in the city where her Son had died and
risen.
Justinian understood something the title expresses beautifully: Mary is the New
Eve. Where Eve said no to God and introduced death into the world, Mary said
yes and introduced Life itself. Where the first woman chose self over
obedience, the second woman chose obedience over everything. The Nea Church,
the New Church, in the New Jerusalem, for the New Eve, was Justinian's
architectural theology.
The church stood until an earthquake in the eighth century. Its remains were
rediscovered by archaeologists in the twentieth century. But the truth it
celebrated has never needed excavation; it has been proclaimed in every Hail
Mary ever spoken.
Today's Gospel - Mark 10:17-27
A
rich young man came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal
life. Jesus told him to sell what he had, give to the poor, and follow. The
young man went away sad, because he had many possessions.
The contrast with Mary could not be sharper. She had nothing and gave
everything. She was not asked to sell possessions; she was asked to give her
entire life, her body, her future, her plans. And she said yes without
hesitation.
"How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of
God." Mary entered not because she was poor in money, but because she was
poor in spirit, clinging to nothing, offering everything, trusting completely.
She is the New Eve. She models what the rich young man could not do.
A Prayer
Our
Lady the New, New Eve, New Beginning, make us new.
Where we are old in our sins, renew us. Where we are tired in our faith,
refresh us. Where we cling to things that keep us from following Jesus all the
way, help us open our hands.
The rich young man went away sad. We do not want to be him. Help us to be you,
empty-handed, trusting, completely given over to the yes that changes
everything.
Our Lady the New, pray for us. Amen.
Reflection
The
rich young man went away sad, because he had too much to lose. Mary had
nothing, so she could receive everything. Think about how true
that is.
What is the thing you are holding too tightly right now? Not necessarily
money, it could be control, a plan, a relationship, a version of yourself that is
fake. What does Mary invite you to release?
Rosary Man Jim 🌹
Freely given. Freely shared.
