Jan 1, 2019: Mary Mother of God
Jan. 1, 2019: Mary Mother of God
Have you treasured any advice you received from someone? One particular advice I treasure came to me through a book I read about a holy woman. She said: “Pray especially to Our Blessed Mother Mary, placing all your intentions into her hands. For she loves you as she loves her Son. She will guide you in all your relationships so that peace may fill your life.” The book was about Mother Teresa who had a profound relationship with Blessed Mother. When we get to know Blessed Mother then we grow closer to Jesus, recognizing his voice, serving him, and following to him. A priest very close to Mother Teresa wrote, “When I was with Mother Teresa, I had the sense of being before a living mirror of the one whom Mother Teresa simply called ‘Our Lady’...Here was a living icon, genuine and deep, who gave freely of God’s love no matter how high the cost, who radiated his presence even when she could no longer feel it.” This is our goal too, to be the living icon of Blessed Mother and Our Lord, being the servant to all.
On this beginning of a new year on the great feast day of Blessed Mother under the title of “Mother of God,” we take time to understand the often repeated phrase in the scripture, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” This phrase described the attitude in which Blessed Mother took in all that she had experienced throughout her life, from the moment of the Annunciation to her sorrowful gaze upon the lifeless body of her son after he was taken down from the Cross. In the Gospels, she appears as a woman of few words. We learn that she often treasured or pondered in her heart the imprint of God’s grace hidden in the various situations that unfolded before her. Even when she did not understand the situations she faced, she prayed in order to know and understand the Father’s will. Through prayer she had complete trust in the Heavenly Father.
Blessed Mother invites us to listen for the voice of God. To say that we are busy is an understatement, even for those of you who are ‘retired.’ Most of us become anxious throughout the day as the long list of to-do’s, demands for results, and expectation of efficiency weigh us down with stress. When we are stressed, we need to pause and ponder as did Blessed Mother so that we can understand and accept God’s will for us. Mother Teresa said, “If you ever feel distressed during your day — call upon our Lady — just say this simple prayer: 'Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.'" When we approach Blessed Mother as a little child, meaning dependent, open, and expectant, we appreciate the grace that is hidden in the circumstance of the moment.
We are called to imitate Blessed Mother’s loving surrender to our Heavenly Father. Each day we pray the powerful prayer the Lord’s Prayer. The petitions, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven,” is a prayer of surrender because we are cooperating to allow His grace to transform this earth through us. Heavenly Father gave Blessed Mother every grace necessary to fulfill Her role as Mother of God, and we must realize that each of us have been chosen by the Father to continue the work of His Son. Hence He has also given each of us every gift we need to accomplish His will. Blessed Mother, many angels, and saints are ready to assist us, but we have to call upon them and trust. Mother Teresa reminded us, “Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness.”
What’s on your New Year’s resolution list? Going to the gym, being punctual, losing weight, and eating right? Perhaps part of our list should include growing closer to Our Lord. A few suggestions: read and ponder daily mass readings, praying Blessed Mother’s Rosary regularly, assist social responsibility outreach. We should place our spiritual fitness as priority over our physical fitness. In this way, when God calls us, we can hear Him and respond, “FIAT” or “Thy will be done.”
On this beginning of a new year on the great feast day of Blessed Mother under the title of “Mother of God,” we take time to understand the often repeated phrase in the scripture, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” This phrase described the attitude in which Blessed Mother took in all that she had experienced throughout her life, from the moment of the Annunciation to her sorrowful gaze upon the lifeless body of her son after he was taken down from the Cross. In the Gospels, she appears as a woman of few words. We learn that she often treasured or pondered in her heart the imprint of God’s grace hidden in the various situations that unfolded before her. Even when she did not understand the situations she faced, she prayed in order to know and understand the Father’s will. Through prayer she had complete trust in the Heavenly Father.
We are called to imitate Blessed Mother’s loving surrender to our Heavenly Father. Each day we pray the powerful prayer the Lord’s Prayer. The petitions, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven,” is a prayer of surrender because we are cooperating to allow His grace to transform this earth through us. Heavenly Father gave Blessed Mother every grace necessary to fulfill Her role as Mother of God, and we must realize that each of us have been chosen by the Father to continue the work of His Son. Hence He has also given each of us every gift we need to accomplish His will. Blessed Mother, many angels, and saints are ready to assist us, but we have to call upon them and trust. Mother Teresa reminded us, “Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness.”
