Reflection

                                                                                                        

IMMACULATE VIRGIN MARY “RADIANT, CLEAR AS CRYSTAL” (CF. REV. 21:11)

                                                                        By: Nwabuisi JohnPaul

Introduction

At the end of morning and evening masses in some parishes, the Catena antiphon is said “Who is She that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army sent in battle array?” which is followed by Mary’s Songs of Praise (cf. Luke 1-46-55). This verse of the Canticle is from the Songs of Solomon (Songs of Solomon 6: 10), which is attributed to Mary our Immaculate Mother who is radiant, clear as crystal (cf. Rev. 21:11). The Heart of Mary is not merely without spot. It is transfused with light. So much so that in the Fatima Revelation, she appeared as “a lady, clothed in white, brighter than the sun, radiating a light more clear and intense than a crystal cup filled with sparkling water, lit by burning sunlight.” Those are the words of Sister Lucy describing the first apparition in May of 1917. This revelation to the children agrees with the public revelation given to the whole Church. In the Apocalypse, the Blessed Virgin is called the “Woman clothed with the Sun.” Little wonder St. John the Evangelist says, “And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev. 12:1).

Immaculate Virgin Mary “Radiant, clear as crystal” (cf. Rev. 21:11)

The Biblical passage Rev. 21: 11 says “having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” Biblical exegetes differ in their interpretation as some attribute this part of Scripture to God and to the Church. For the purpose of our gathering, we are going to apply this passage of scripture to the Immaculate Virgin Mary, who is radiant, clear as crystal.

Among the precious stones there are some even of the same species more valuable than others: for their value is in proportion to their being free from flaws, and of a good water, i.e., a uniform and brilliant transparency. A crystal is perfectly clear, the oriental jasper is a beautiful sea-green. The stone that is described in the passage is represented as a perfectly transparent jasper, being as unclouded as the brightest crystal, and consequently the most precious of its species. Nothing can be finer than this description: the light of this city is ever intense, equal, and splendid; but it is tinged with this green hue, in order to make it agreeable to the sight. Nothing is so friendly to the eye as blue or green; all other colors fatigue; and, if very intense, injure the eye. These are the colors of the earth and sky, on which the eye of man is to be constantly fixed. To these colors the structure of the eye is adapted; and the general appearance of the earth and the sky is adapted to this structure.

From this analysis of the stone used, and its color and significance we come to realize that this was the best description anyone could give about the jasper stone. Little wonder why many images of the Blessed Virgin Mary have the colors of blue and white, which ordinarily are attractive to the eyes. From the statement, among the precious stones there are some even of the same species more valuable than others: for their value is in proportion to their being free from flaws, and of a good water. This tells more about the dignity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for amongst all women, she is the Most Blessed (cf. Luke 1:42) and that for this specie to be more valuable than others she has to be free from sin (Mary’s Immaculate Conception) and have access to God the Living water (cf. John 7:37).

The radiant light described here is an image of God’s grace and the fulfillment of grace in Mary (cf. Luke 1: 28). Mary’s Son showed the glory due to His sacred humanity in the Transfiguration. Similarly, the Blessed Virgin revealed her own glory, first to St. John on Patmos, and much later, to the children of Fatima. She reflects the Glory of the Blessed Trinity as a spotless mirror reflects the light that is shined into it. It should come as no surprise to us, then, that in the Church’s official lexicon of prayer, Jesus is called the “Sun of Justice,” just as Mary is called the “Mirror of Justice.”

In the Mystical Castle of Mary’s Immaculate Heart Our Mother tells us (#483e): “It pertains to my function as the new Eve and to my task as Mother, to bring all humanity back to the full communion of life with God, helping it to come to birth and to grow in grace and holiness. Therefore, it is my task above all to drive far away from you, from the Church and from humanity, the dark shadow of sin and evil, in order to lead you all to the Holy City of purity and love. The light of this Holy City is the very splendour of the Father; the sun which gives warmth is the Immolated Lamb, from whose Heart come forth burning rays of fire and of love; the breath is the exhalation of the Holy Spirit, who gives life and rouses all creatures to their hymn of glory and celestial harmony. This is the task entrusted to your heavenly Mother.”

Lessons to be Learnt

The Light of the Most Holy Trinity lives in the heart of the baptized and of those who are in God’s grace; while darkness belongs to those who live in mortal sin and therefore live under Satan’s rule. Everyone must keep this lamp burning (in remembrance of the parable of the ten virgins), that is, everyone must always have Jesus in their hearts. Therefore, we must all grow in our life in Christ, that is, in our holiness. The Consecration to Our Lady helps us to preserve and increase this Light of Christ in us.

The book of Revelation tells about the battle of the Devil, the red Dragon, with the Woman clothed with the sun. When Satan couldn’t do anything against Jesus and his Mother, the Bible says that he “became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus.” (Rev 12:17). This is why the devil tempts us always and wants us to dwell in sin. We are to stand up to him strong in faith (1 Peter 5:8) through our daily discipline of the passions and senses, our daily recitations of the rosary, meditating on the word of God, and seeking recourse to Mary to assist us in our life struggles. Nonetheless, the sacrament of reconciliation should not be left out or taken for granted.

The Radiant Heart of Mary is a “secret” place. It is hidden. And it is here, in this secret hiding place, that our tiny hearts are formed. With gentleness and patience, Our Lady fashions them, in silence, gracefully toiling with incomparable love. Then, slowly and imperceptibly, the tiny grains of our hearts begin to change. And with the passage of time, they evolve and are gradually formed into something beautiful and perfect, something precious and pleasing to the Most High God! Yet, no one sees this happening, not even ourselves.

The Immaculate Mary is radiant, clear as crystal. We too are encouraged to influence others by the life we live, our witnessing to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary should be affective, others should be drawn to them through us and not led astray. Hence, we must learn to be transparent in our dealings with others, we to be open and authentic. This is necessary because our modern society is one characterized by falsification of identity, news, and so on. This makes the community a hard place to trust people.

Conclusion

As we say the Catena antiphon, we are called to consciously say the prayer with deep faith and conviction. We also saddled with the task of living this life of witnessing, persistent prayer, and transparency in all that we do. May the Immaculate Mary, Radiant, clear as crystal continue to intercede for us, amen.