Homily - Installation Liturgy

Homily of Bishop Peter A. Libasci on the Day of His Installation

Today, December 8, the Church recalls with great affection and with great celebration the conception of a child. She was conceived, according to Tradition, by parents who by this time in their lives had thought themselves unable to conceive.

Joachim and Anna, whose hopes had, by now, dimmed beyond rekindling, are realizing that their life together was as precious as the life they had hoped for but never could conceive.

Though their sorrow and disappointment could have driven them apart and often does cause such heartbreak, the Tradition unfolds, there are fulfillments of rites and requirements of worship, there is a participation in something that is of a higher power, a power that seems to draw together, a reality that is beyond sight or control , that is somehow able to mend rather than rend a light. A goodness, a reality that engages the heart, the soul, the mind and even the strength that had seemed to be lost but was now somehow fighting for a resurgence. And ultimately on the part of Joachim: a movement forward in faith. On the part of Anna: the stirrings of vindication and joy. The long awaited child is conceived.

Tradition has chosen to celebrate her birth on September 8, and today, counting backwards nine months, the Church honors that life that began to stir not only within her mother’s womb but began to enliven all of creation into a new hope, a new beginning, a new dawn of realizing God’s presence in the world and in the lives of God’s people.

Mary, the woman betrothed to a man named Joseph. Mary, the woman Most Holy, the mention of whose name immediately brings to mind the image of her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary is conceived and we hold and teach and maintain that apart from all other human beings, she who was to be the Mother of the Savior was conceived without Original Sin was preserved from that Original Sin by which every human being suffers want.

That sin which distrusts God’s motives, “Why did God tell you not to do this?” That sin which grasps at equality with God. That sin which reveals its dreadful consequences only when it is too late. That sin which leads to the blaming of others and even blaming God: “It was the WOMAN YOU gave me.” That sin which divides and pits one against another, and leads to the degradation of the very person who was created in God’s Image. It was from this that Mary was preserved in her Immaculate Conception.

The Gospel passage we heard today demonstrates the fruit of this singular gift to this singular woman. Upon her encounter with the angel, Mary does not doubt God’s motives; she doubts, instead, her own preparedness to respond adequately to God’s plan. Mary does not grasp at equality with God; she accepts, instead, a place of service: “I am the handmaid of the Lord,” she says.

Preserved from Original Sin, Mary does not follow the example of Adam or Eve in their confusion, and blame, and divisiveness. Instead she says, “I am the handmaid of the Lord; Let it be done to me as you say.” And immediately a companionship between Mary and Almighty God, a companionship between heaven and earth, is begun, so that the angel’s brief presence now gives way to the abiding Divine Presence as The Word became Flesh and Dwelt among us.

On this day the local Church in Manchester welcomes its tenth Bishop. On this day when the whole Church recalls God’s invitation to life; on this day when the whole Church gives thanks to God for the unyielding hope of the elderly Joachim and Anna; On this day when the whole Church welcomes the news of the vindication of their hope; On this day when the Church sings the praises of the child born to Joachim and Anna, and sees Mary bring forth the new generation of Faith; On this day made holy by God’s ineffable love for us all, and Mary’s enormous leap of Faith into companionship with Almighty God; On this most holy day, this new Bishop who comes to you now begs you to join me in asking God for mercy, that God may give His unworthy minister Grace to sing together with you the eternal praises of God.

This new Bishop who comes to you now asks you to allow the stirrings of God’s Grace to breathe new life into us all – together so that this Faith that has been the source of hope and love in this diocese for so many generations – cherished by those who built these communities of faith – can be entrusted whole and entire to a new young generation eager to engage in that Divine companionship that enabled Mary to say “Yes” to God and to sing that ancient hymn of joy: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”