Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Published: Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Womb do you seek?
Reflection:
Every evening I am joined by millions around the world in remembering the words of Mary, the mother of Jesus and the example of faith to which the whole Church aspires. When I pray the Canticle of Mary each evening prayer the first words, as I make the sign of the cross, seem to fill me up; "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord."
I can feel her emotion as we say; "My spirit rejoices in God my savior." And feel the truth of: "He has looked with favor on his lowly servant." Perhaps because I have memorized it or perhaps because I recite it each day, it has become one of my favorite pieces of Holy Scripture.
And on this day when we celebrate the first meeting of Jesus and John the Baptist (that is the baby in Elizabeths womb) we see already in Mary her perfect obedience to Gods will. Notice the purity of it. It is not subjugation; she maintains her individual humanity in all its sweetness. But it is the selflessness that allows her to give genuine thanks and praise to her almighty Father; "He has shown the strength of his arm..." and it does not sound like pious prattle as we hear from some (sometimes I feel like those words are too big) but sincere gratitude and praise.
If we could echo the faith of Mary our Mother, we would find that in-dwelling peace Jesus came to give us; left his Holy Spirit to instill in us. And we would find that glorious serenity that places all of the cares and sorrows of our world in the hands of God and lets our spirits soar.
Ah, but that is hard. Mary, graced with a character so pure of sin that even original sin never spoiled that exemplar of Gods love and fidelity, was given a special place and grace that her cousin Elizabeth cried out; "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
What can we do? All that I have found that gets me close is that marvelous Canticle. I look forward to it each day and I find myself praying the first few lines during the day when I feel the work I have accomplished is indeed to the greater glory of God. And there is a reason Elizabeths words begin the most common prayer of our faith; "Hail Mary, full of grace.." The words bring us comfort an remind us of the beauty of obedience and sincere worship.
Today is one of the most special days upon which we celebrate the gift God gave us in the example of Mary, theotokos, the mother of God whose perfect act of love and obedience gives us Savior and Church through our God. Pax
Readings for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Published: Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Womb do you seek?
Reflection:
Every evening I am joined by millions around the world in remembering the words of Mary, the mother of Jesus and the example of faith to which the whole Church aspires. When I pray the Canticle of Mary each evening prayer the first words, as I make the sign of the cross, seem to fill me up; "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord."
I can feel her emotion as we say; "My spirit rejoices in God my savior." And feel the truth of: "He has looked with favor on his lowly servant." Perhaps because I have memorized it or perhaps because I recite it each day, it has become one of my favorite pieces of Holy Scripture.
And on this day when we celebrate the first meeting of Jesus and John the Baptist (that is the baby in Elizabeths womb) we see already in Mary her perfect obedience to Gods will. Notice the purity of it. It is not subjugation; she maintains her individual humanity in all its sweetness. But it is the selflessness that allows her to give genuine thanks and praise to her almighty Father; "He has shown the strength of his arm..." and it does not sound like pious prattle as we hear from some (sometimes I feel like those words are too big) but sincere gratitude and praise.
If we could echo the faith of Mary our Mother, we would find that in-dwelling peace Jesus came to give us; left his Holy Spirit to instill in us. And we would find that glorious serenity that places all of the cares and sorrows of our world in the hands of God and lets our spirits soar.
Ah, but that is hard. Mary, graced with a character so pure of sin that even original sin never spoiled that exemplar of Gods love and fidelity, was given a special place and grace that her cousin Elizabeth cried out; "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
What can we do? All that I have found that gets me close is that marvelous Canticle. I look forward to it each day and I find myself praying the first few lines during the day when I feel the work I have accomplished is indeed to the greater glory of God. And there is a reason Elizabeths words begin the most common prayer of our faith; "Hail Mary, full of grace.." The words bring us comfort an remind us of the beauty of obedience and sincere worship.
Today is one of the most special days upon which we celebrate the gift God gave us in the example of Mary, theotokos, the mother of God whose perfect act of love and obedience gives us Savior and Church through our God. Pax
posted by Deacon Jim | 4:07 AM
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