M
MariaChristi
Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters.
Hopefully many of us were blessed deeply in hearing the words of the Gospel:
The passage I quoted reminded me not only of Jesus as Shepherd but also Jesus as the “Lamb of God” and I remembered one of my favorite pictures of Mary:
I love this image because I see Jesus as Mary’s treasure. I also see Mary as Mother of the Church holding each of us as a little lamb of the flock. It recalls Mary’s words to St. Juan Diego: “Why are you afraid? Am I not your Mother? Are you not in the crossing of my arms?” If we are truly following Jesus then with Jesus we call Mary, “Mother”; and by the power of the Holy Spirit Baptism has given us a share in the Divine Life of God. We truly are brothers and sisters of Jesus because we have been born again by water and the Holy Spirit. We are children of God by adoption and we are children of Mary by the same gift of grace.
Some are called to sell everything as Jesus encouraged them, others are called to “detach” themselves radically from all their possessions. God works in each soul uniquely to enable us to live the Beatitude, “Blessed are the Poor…” Whatever God asks of us He provides the grace for us that we may give all He asks. If our treasure, like Mary’s, is Jesus then we will cooperate with grace and detach ourselves from everything that keeps us from giving ourselves to Him totally. May the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and enable us to see ourselves as God sees our hearts and what we may be holding back. May He kindle in us the Fire of His Love that gives ALL.
Hopefully many of us were blessed deeply in hearing the words of the Gospel:
Some may have heard only the “shortened” version which left out the above verses from Luke 12: 32-48. I’m glad I read the long version before Mass. The image of Jesus as Shepherd is such an important one because Jesus chose the image Himself! I don’t know who makes liturugical decisions for shortening scriptures to be read, but it saddens me. Too many Catholics get their only exposure to God’s Word at Mass!!! It seems we ought to be hearing more rather than less. This is not a debate forum and I do not intend to stir debate but I encourage you to read and re-read the whole passage because it is so important.
The passage I quoted reminded me not only of Jesus as Shepherd but also Jesus as the “Lamb of God” and I remembered one of my favorite pictures of Mary:
I love this image because I see Jesus as Mary’s treasure. I also see Mary as Mother of the Church holding each of us as a little lamb of the flock. It recalls Mary’s words to St. Juan Diego: “Why are you afraid? Am I not your Mother? Are you not in the crossing of my arms?” If we are truly following Jesus then with Jesus we call Mary, “Mother”; and by the power of the Holy Spirit Baptism has given us a share in the Divine Life of God. We truly are brothers and sisters of Jesus because we have been born again by water and the Holy Spirit. We are children of God by adoption and we are children of Mary by the same gift of grace.
Some are called to sell everything as Jesus encouraged them, others are called to “detach” themselves radically from all their possessions. God works in each soul uniquely to enable us to live the Beatitude, “Blessed are the Poor…” Whatever God asks of us He provides the grace for us that we may give all He asks. If our treasure, like Mary’s, is Jesus then we will cooperate with grace and detach ourselves from everything that keeps us from giving ourselves to Him totally. May the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and enable us to see ourselves as God sees our hearts and what we may be holding back. May He kindle in us the Fire of His Love that gives ALL.