The Gordian Knot, Gold & Grace

Gordian's Knot and the Midas Touch

Gordian was the ruler of a Turkish city, who fathered a boy named Midas. A fortune teller or 'oracle,' predicted Gordian would tie an ox-cart to a pole. Whomever untied the knot would rule the East. Meanwhile, Gordian's adolescent son Midas, failed all attempts to loosen the knot. He was bullied unfairly, about his fumble-fingered touch. Since no one else could untie it, he overcompensated by declaring himself king of the city. He coveted gold to salve his self-esteem and demonstrate his worth. Ultimately, his gold-collection habits led history to punish him through legends of his greed and pride.

Alexander (the Great) from nearby Macedonia, came for the legendary reward. With a double-edged sword, he sliced through the knot. His story spread fear thoughout Asia and cultures were conquered, some by reputation. This tale has many morals: stay away from fortune tellers, problems are double-edged, knots are untangled by force or forebearance, and more. For Christians, it is a parable about human limitations and our need for God. Many of life’s tightest knots—intellectual, emotional, spiritual—are not solved by human efforts alone.

The Knot symbolizes the Fall

Since Adam and Eve's fall, we are disordered by Original Sin. Our hearts, relationships and societies are complex, tangled webs, whether internal and/or external. Examples of these are below.

generational habits and curses

corrupt and broken systems

temptations and moral dilemmas

Not all knots are untied by working smarter or harder. The Gordian Knot is a metaphor for sin without grace. St. Paul laments: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24) God's solution was to give humanity a Savior.

Christ is the True Sword

For non-Catholics, Alexander's sword, with both hilt and shaft, represents Christ and the cross. Like the Gordian knot, we tie ourselves to Him via Baptism and He reorders our hearts with love. God's grace is stronger than all our problems. Through surrender, He is the only One can untangle every human heart ...

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;

I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

Ezekiel 36:26

The Undoer of Knots

For Catholics, there is more to this story. Because of our continued sin, we tap Mother Mary's shoulder. Her ability to jumpstart Jesus' ministry early, was evidenced through Cana wine. If God allowed water to become wine through Jesus, at her request; we invoke her ability to make stuff happen. Pope Frances rebranded an old German devotion for her intercession to ask God to untangle what sin has twisted. Where Alexander the Great acts with force, the Father acts with mercy, clarity and transformation. Need more reasons? As announced by the angel Gabriel, Mother Mary is the spouse of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we ask for her connections to the Holy Spirit to bring comfort to our souls. Ask Mother Mary for her prayers for us today.

Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love,

Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need,

Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children,

because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exist in your heart,

cast your compassionate eyes upon me

and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life.

You know how desperate I am, my pain and how I am bound by these knots.

Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children,

I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life.

No one, not even the evil one,

can take it away from your precious care.