Rector’s Reflection on the Feast of St. Mary

by Pastor Kristine

August 15 is the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which makes it a special day for St. Mary’s by-the-Sea, and for every church around the world named after the woman who said “yes” to God and through whom the Word became flesh.

Mary’s timeless song begins, “my soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Our “yes” to God’s invitation, whatever form it takes for us, depends on our joy. For our souls to magnify the Lord, to witness to God’s goodness in the world, our spirits need to rejoice in the ways God is working in our lives.

I am glad St. Mary’s is a place of joy and a place where we are encouraged to notice God’s work in our lives and in the world around us. I am grateful for our mutual call to live in love – to say yes to God – and for the ways we help each other do that.

As a reminder of our interconnectedness with people around the globe, I share with you some pictures that I took at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Visby, Sweden, which celebrates its 800th anniversary next July just a couple of weeks after we celebrate our 138th anniversary.