In the first reading for today’s feast of the Immaculate Conception, we find the man and the woman banished from the Garden as God promises One who will come to restore their original blessing. Because creation finds its new beginning in Jesus, Christ is called the New Adam. Similarly, Mary, mother of all who are brother and sister to her son, is called the New Eve. Tonight’s prayer reflects the beauty found in a painting and a song in which Mary Consoles Eve.
our mother Eve grieved the pain
we bear in our humanity, waiting,
from generation to generation,
for you, the promised One, to come
to heal and to restore
that original blessing
given in a Garden long ago…
And mother Mary bore with love
you, the promised One,
almost here, not yet come
and yet already in her womb:
come and coming to forgive,
to heal and to restore,
with mercy and with grace,
that primal blessing given
in a Garden long ago…
And we wait from day to day for you, Lord,
the promised One, to come
with mercy and with healing
to lift us up each time we fall
and restore the blessing lost by sin, now
as in a Garden long ago…
The promised One,
you’re always here, not finally here
and yet already come in flesh,
in Wisdom, Word and Spirit,
risen, rising every day,
restoring grace and blessing lost
in a Garden long ago…
Protect us, Lord, while we’re awake,
watch over us as we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace…
Mary Consoles Eve by Katie Bowser
(In tonight’s song, Mary, the mother of Jesus,
addresses herself to Eve, the mother of the human race)
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Eve, my sister
The one who took the fall
Eve, my sister
Mother of us all
Lift up your head
Don’t hide your blushing face
The promised One
Is finally on His way
Almost, not yet, already
Almost, not yet, already
Eve, it’s Mary
Now I’m a mother too
The child I carry
A promise coming true
This baby comes to save us from our sin
A servant King, His kingdom without end
Almost, not yet, already
Almost, not yet, already
He comes to make his blessings flow
As far and wide as the curse is found
He comes to make His blessings flow
Almost, not yet, already,
Almost, not yet, already…soon
Eve, my sister
The one who took the fall
Eve, my sister
Mother of us all
The promised One
Is finally on His way
