The New Copernican Revolution

The Ptolemaic Model of the Universe before the Copernican Revolution

We all remember Copernicus, right? He was the one who first postulated that the Earth revolves around the sun. Up until that time it was assumed that the Earth was the center of the universe. His theory was called the "heliocentric theory" and initiated a powerful shift in the way people thought and how they viewed the universe. Ever since, this has been known as the first Copernican Revolution.

The new Copernican Revolution would be this: instead of seeing ourselves at the center of everything with God revolving around us, we would take a different view of things. We are invited to see God as the center of our lives. Just as the earth receives life from the sun, we receive everything from God. He is our life, our energy, the very source of our existence. He is not someone or something "out there." He calls us to change our our way of thinking, to experience a new Copernican Revolution.

The second book of Kings gives us the story of Naaman, a pagan military general. Though he commanded an army and was used to getting his way, all the gods he thought he had at his beck and call could not cure the skin disease he had. In desperation he asked Elisha to help him. Elisha told him that in order to get healed he had to acknowledge that the God of Israel was the one true God. At first Naaman was reluctant, even indignant, but as his leprosy threatened to consume him he decided to do something courageous. He swallowed his pride and praised God - and his affliction left him. Naaman then said, "Now I know there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel."

Naaman experienced something like a Copernican Revolution. He realized that he was not the center of the universe, though he commanded many men. God the God of Israel, the one true God, is the center of all.

"Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth,
who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains."Psalm 147:8

How Do We Handle the Unexpected?

The Annunciation

I just got some great news that I am going to be a grandma! Suddenly, everything has changed. The future is suddenly a different place and preparations must be made. We are all in a whirlwind of joyous activity.

Like everyone, I have also had my share of bad news and events. A much loved relative has passed away, my son has autism,  our home caught on fire. And again, the future suddenly changed and preparations must be made. Activities are done with a heavier heart this time.

How do we handle the changes and upheavals which happen in our lives? Mary is a wonderful model of how to confront and face them. She received the most unexpected news of probably anyone who ever lived!

Let's take a  look at the story of the annunciation and see what she did. The first interesting point is that the angel Gabriel greeted her with "Hail favored one!" instead of the usual "Fear Not!". The next thing he says is "do not be afraid,Mary" but this unusual greeting gives us our first look inside Mary's head. She was, of course greatly troubled by the sudden appearance of an angel, but pondered over what it meant.

In other words, Mary did not lose her head. She didn't panic but rather stayed calm, rational, and tried to think things out before acting or reacting.

The next thing Mary did was listen carefully to what Gabriel told her about her bearing the Son of God. Then again, instead of becoming emotional, whether sad or glad, she asked an intelligent question. A pretty obvious one as well. "How can this be since I have no relations with a man?" Other translations say "how can this be since I am a virgin".

Note that Mary was not questioning the validity of Gabriel's words. She prudently wanted an explanation. Gabriel gave her one and even added in some important information about the pregnancy of her cousin Elizabeth.

It was after this that Mary gave her "yes" to the angel, God, and the miracle of Jesus' birth. "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."

Mary's reaction to the news that was to change the course of her life was with calm, temperance, and willingness. And it turns out that this was exactly what was needed for the coming times. A bumpy ride to Bethlehem when she was about to give birth could not have been much fun.

How about giving birth with no other woman or midwife present, an unheard of event in that time, and in a place that was definitely not up to Jewish standards of cleanliness.

The flight into Egypt to save the life of Jesus from a mad man who murdered thousands of children.

 and finally settling in a place, Nazareth, which was not their hometown. Mary stood at the foot of the cross and watched Jesus die.

Mary did not panic, complain, or give way to self pity. She is the very image of fortitude, temperance, and wisdom that comes from absolute faith in God. In fact, we view these images nowadays as part of the beautiful story of our faith.  Although entirely feminine, Mary has inner strength and backbone that emerges as both gentle and womanly.

In Christ we already have the strength to face whatever comes our way. Let's try to be like Mary when unexpected events burst into our lives.