In accordance with Jewish custom our Lady's parents named her eight days after her birth, and were inspired to call her Mary. The feast of the Holy Name of Mary therefore follows that of her Birthday, as the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus follows Christmas. The feast originated in Spain and was approved by the Holy See in 1513; Innocent XI extended its observance to the whole Church in 1683 in thanksgiving to our Lady for the victory on September 12, 1683 by John Sobieski, king of Poland, over the Turks, who were besieging Vienna and threatening the West. This day was commemorated in Vienna by creating a new kind of pastry and shaping it in the form of the Turkish half-moon. It was eaten along with coffee which was part of the booty from the Turks. “The world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:31)
No wonder it’s hard to feel the same sense of urgency that Paul and the first believers had! It has been almost two thousand years since Jesus promised he would return soon, and the world still seems to be here, just as strong as it ever was. We have no idea when the Second Coming will occur. And until it does, we can’t stop buying groceries, suppress all of our emotions, and avoid all the people around us.
So how can we fulfill our daily responsibilities in this world and still keep our eyes and hearts fixed on the world to come?
One way is to look at all the little things in life that can help to remind us about the joys of heaven. Jesus himself used everyday experiences as springboards to illustrate the life that was to come. For example, he compared the Holy Spirit to something as natural as the wind. He used stories about farming, family life, and even home economics—and he did it in simple, everyday language.
Try it yourself. See if you can identify some of the simple elements of your life that can remind you about God’s greatness. For example, you could make it a point to offer a prayer of heartfelt thanks before every meal. This is a great way to remember that the One who provides us with food wants to give us spiritual nourishment as well.
Or maybe, when you wash your face in the morning, let it remind you of the way Jesus has washed you clean in baptism. Or when you see your husband or wife or a close friend, let the blessings of that relationship give you a glimpse of how deeply Jesus loves and treasures all his people.
We have made only three suggestions, but the possibilities are endless. There are so many earthly ways that can help remind you that heaven is your true home. Try taking up this practice, and it will become more and more natural for you to keep heaven in your sights, even on the busiest days.
“Lord, I know that your kingdom is more important than anything this world can offer. Help me to focus my heart on you above everything else.”
Psalm 45:11-12, 14-17 Luke 6:20-26