Blessed Miriam, Theotokos: 15 August 2013

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Actually we know little of Miriam aside from what is told in the Bible.  Legend claims that she was born to her parents Joachim and Anna in their old age.  She was devout and at a young age was betrothed to Yoseph, who became here husband.  While still young, the angel announced to her that she would become the mother of God's child.  She asks how this can happen since she is a virgin.  The angel announces that God's spirit will take care of this, to which Miriam responds, "be it unto me according to your will,” expressing great faith that not only will God do this, but that he will protect her from people assuming adultery, which was punishable by death. 

Later at the wedding in Canna, she tells the servants, "To do whatever he tells you," a message which we need to regard as well.  She is also present at the crucifixion, and is one of the 120 present at the first Christian Pentecost, where she and others receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 

While we don't receive an in depth picture of her life, we do see her faith, and our need to imitate it.  According to the Bible and legend, John the Evangelist took her into his home, and she traveled with him to Ephesus, where she died on the 15th of August. 

Readings:

    Isaiah 61:10-11

    Psalm 34 or 34:1-9

    Galatians 4:4-7

    Luke 1:46-55

Heavenly Father, you raised up Miriam to be the Theotokous, the mother of our Lord Yeshuah haMoshiach, grant that we like her may say, “be it unto me according to your word,” and to obey her instructions, “do whatever he tells you to do.  In the name of her son, Yeshuah, we pray.  Amen