Theotokos

O Mary,

In awe we come to you:

Praising,

Beseeching,

(Perhaps cajoling);

Sancta Maria. . .Ora pronobis,

Holy Mary. . .Pray for Us,

Mater Dei, Theotokos,

Mother of God, Bearer of God.

Yet when you sing

You seem not so distant,

Not so Lofty.

In your song we hear no hint

Of Latin piety,

Or Greek abstraction

Or mystical echoes.

In your song we hear the

Raw, Exuberant, Beautiful

Passion of a Hebrew woman,

Just weeks,

Maybe just days,

Beyond being a child.

O Daughter of David,

Your song is as grand

As your ancestor's best.

Of all the great Prophets only Isaiah,

Mighty seer,

Saw as clearly as you

The Light to come.

O Mary,

Sister of all in Christ,

Break out of the marble,

Come down from the canvas,

Teach us hope

In the midst

Of despair.

O Mary,

Our Lady of Inversion,

Teach us to sing

Of the proud cast down

And the lowly raised high.

O Mary,

Perpetual catechist,

Teach us to trust

The Promise

And the One who promises.

 
(From my good friend, Fr. Gregory Singleton)