"Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’" (Lk 1:30)
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Mary is one of the most central figures of the Bible. All the great Old Testament women hoped to be what she was: The mother of Jesus, the Redeemer. But she was his mother in a very special way – He chose her to be his mother. None of us could ever do that with our mothers, because we always follow our mother. Christ as God, existed before Mary.
Now just imagine that you had a chance to choose your own Mother. Would you not give her all the best qualities you could find? She would be the most perfect, nicest person in the world. Remember that since Jesus had no human father, he inherited all his human qualities from her. He must have looked, spoke and acted very much like her.
Because Mary’s body was so very special to Jesus, our Catholic tradition tells us that understandably, He did not allow it to decay and turn back to earth. When she died, He took her to heaven, body and soul, because he wanted her to keep on being special.
Mary mothered the new Church in its first years, just as she had done for Jesus. The name Mary, became a favorite with women of every nation which had become Christian.
The non-Catholic poet Wordsworth has written of her: "She is our tainted Nature’s solitary boast." Contrary to Protestant prejudice, we think that it is completely natural and normal for any son to be honored and pleased, if we honor his mother. We also believe that it is natural for any treasured mother to have a special influence with the devoted son. That is why Our Lady stands by us as we pray. We hardly ever say the "Our Father" without automatically adding the "Hail Mary," except during Mass.
As the mini-story has it, once a king invited a little child to take as many lollipops as could be fitted into its hand. The little child said to the king, "I would rather have my mommy take them for me; she has a bigger hand."
Mary is surely the favorite person in Christ’s life, even now. Should she not also be the same in our lives? [1]
This scene of the Annunciation from our Scriptural snippet has become very familiar to us, since this particular Gospel reading is usually read during important feast days of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Each time I reflect on this specific event I personally can’t help being overwhelmed by Mary’s magnanimity.
Here is a 15-year old girl being informed for the first time about her central role in the salvation of mankind. She must have been initially so mystified that the angel had to re-assure her "Be not afraid, Mary." The thought of pregnancy outside of marriage (at the time of the Annunciation she was only betrothed and not yet married to Joseph) must have astounded her. Only her docility toward God’s designs for her, conquered whatever apprehensions she had. Indeed, in this instance, it is worthwhile for us to emulate her perfect obedience and absolute trust in Almighty God.
It is said that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery that we can give to any person. This is the reason why avid fans of celebrities try so hard to be like their idols. They work to copy their styles in clothing and hairdos. They tend to imitate these public figures in the way they speak, eat and whatever else they find worthy of emulation.
In the same way, our devotion to the Blessed Mother should not stop at merely giving her homage by praying the Rosary each day, doing novenas in her honor, joining processions during her feast days. Our affection for Her should transcend all external demonstrations and instead be evident, as well, in the way we try to imitate her virtues of humility, charity, patience, meekness and prayerfulness.
It is probably safe to assume that in each and every household in the Philippines, there is at least one person who is truly devoted to the Blessed Mother. This is a fact. Every Filipino actually endearingly calls her "Mama Mary." Devotion to Our Lady is something that has been ingrained into our minds and hearts since childhood. There is very likely no Filipino child who has never heard about her.
Let us promote devotion – both interiorly and exteriorly – toward the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, as well. It is much easier to be drawn close to the Son, once we have been intimate with the Mother, because Mary regards it her first priority to lead everyone who is willing to her Divine Son.
Now just imagine that you had a chance to choose your own Mother. Would you not give her all the best qualities you could find? She would be the most perfect, nicest person in the world. Remember that since Jesus had no human father, he inherited all his human qualities from her. He must have looked, spoke and acted very much like her.
Because Mary’s body was so very special to Jesus, our Catholic tradition tells us that understandably, He did not allow it to decay and turn back to earth. When she died, He took her to heaven, body and soul, because he wanted her to keep on being special.
Mary mothered the new Church in its first years, just as she had done for Jesus. The name Mary, became a favorite with women of every nation which had become Christian.
The non-Catholic poet Wordsworth has written of her: "She is our tainted Nature’s solitary boast." Contrary to Protestant prejudice, we think that it is completely natural and normal for any son to be honored and pleased, if we honor his mother. We also believe that it is natural for any treasured mother to have a special influence with the devoted son. That is why Our Lady stands by us as we pray. We hardly ever say the "Our Father" without automatically adding the "Hail Mary," except during Mass.
As the mini-story has it, once a king invited a little child to take as many lollipops as could be fitted into its hand. The little child said to the king, "I would rather have my mommy take them for me; she has a bigger hand."
Mary is surely the favorite person in Christ’s life, even now. Should she not also be the same in our lives? [1]
This scene of the Annunciation from our Scriptural snippet has become very familiar to us, since this particular Gospel reading is usually read during important feast days of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Each time I reflect on this specific event I personally can’t help being overwhelmed by Mary’s magnanimity.
Here is a 15-year old girl being informed for the first time about her central role in the salvation of mankind. She must have been initially so mystified that the angel had to re-assure her "Be not afraid, Mary." The thought of pregnancy outside of marriage (at the time of the Annunciation she was only betrothed and not yet married to Joseph) must have astounded her. Only her docility toward God’s designs for her, conquered whatever apprehensions she had. Indeed, in this instance, it is worthwhile for us to emulate her perfect obedience and absolute trust in Almighty God.
It is said that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery that we can give to any person. This is the reason why avid fans of celebrities try so hard to be like their idols. They work to copy their styles in clothing and hairdos. They tend to imitate these public figures in the way they speak, eat and whatever else they find worthy of emulation.
In the same way, our devotion to the Blessed Mother should not stop at merely giving her homage by praying the Rosary each day, doing novenas in her honor, joining processions during her feast days. Our affection for Her should transcend all external demonstrations and instead be evident, as well, in the way we try to imitate her virtues of humility, charity, patience, meekness and prayerfulness.
It is probably safe to assume that in each and every household in the Philippines, there is at least one person who is truly devoted to the Blessed Mother. This is a fact. Every Filipino actually endearingly calls her "Mama Mary." Devotion to Our Lady is something that has been ingrained into our minds and hearts since childhood. There is very likely no Filipino child who has never heard about her.
Let us promote devotion – both interiorly and exteriorly – toward the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, as well. It is much easier to be drawn close to the Son, once we have been intimate with the Mother, because Mary regards it her first priority to lead everyone who is willing to her Divine Son.
End Notes for this Bible Sharing
1. "A Thought for Today" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, "Mary," pp. 79-80, Logos Publications, Inc., Manila, 2001.
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