In the United States of 2020, we have just experienced a year unlike no other. We have dealt with a global pandemic, a contentious election, a growing fear of hunger and debt, and civil unrest in our cities.
Who is to blame? Political leaders? Political parties? Billionaires? Systematic Injustices?
Since the beginning of time, humans have played the blame game. When God confronted Adam with his naked sin, Adam blamed Eve, and God, for placing the woman in the Garden. Eve Blamed Satan because he tempted her.
But this blame game leads to no good.
The Woman whose Immaculate Conception we celebrate today can teach us the way out of the blame game - just as she taught a young Patrick Peyton.
When he ceased feeling sorry for himself, and blaming God and others for his life-threatening illness, he found his way to Mary who provided the key.
Patrick Peyton recognized the life-giving role of Mary, and turned to her in prayer for help. In his own words, here is what happened.
“On December 7, 1939 I was given permission to attend Mass the next day in the Infirmary Chapel, one of the few Masses I had been allowed to attend since the beginning of that year which saw me hospitalized.
That next day, December 8, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I was wheeled from my room and into the Chapel. Father Irving was the celebrant on that day that the Mother of God touched my heart and pierced my soul. It was at the Mass, on that day, that Father Irving concluded the first reading of the Mass with the words: "Whoever shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.”
Mary’s words. Tears flooded my eyes. A bell rang in my heart. Those words came from Mary’s lips and kissed my soul. On that day, those words were meant for my ear. I've known it all along. In the sense that one knows when Heaven has brushed your heart — one just knows. And the sure knowledge resounded within my heart and was spoken by my lips, “Mary, you have done this literally, for me this day!”
An envelope came to me some time later from the Sanitarium Doctors. This letter would tell me if I was well enough to return to the Seminary, or whether I was to be confined yet longer within the walls of my sickroom in the infirmary. With great hesitation and trepidation, I finally opened the envelope to learn my fate. I was free to return to my studies! Another beautiful sign from Our Lady!
Indescribable emotion welled within me, and before a picture of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in my room, I offered my best in return: “Mary, I hope I’ll never disgrace you.”
Immaculate Mary, help our country, and us as individuals, to cease blaming, and to unite under your maternal patronage. Amen.
- Father Willy's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
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To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EST, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
