"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord..."

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated (liturgically) at Mass today, the Feast being transferred from Mar. 25, this year since it fell on Palm Sunday. This has been an important feast of Mary for me, personally, for many years beginning in my youth. Why? God’s Grace put a love for Mary into my heart that I will ever be grateful for, and it is through her “Yes” and her continual intercession that we can all rejoice in her who is Mother and Model for the Church.

May many in the Church draw closer to Jesus today, by coming closer to the Mother and Model, He gave to us all. I was “struck” this morning listening to the Gospel for today, hearing Mary’s words:
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word. (Luke 1: 26 -38)
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and again struck by these words from the 2nd Reading for Mass:
Behold, I come to do your will. (Heb 10:4-10)
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Of course the word, “Behold” sends me back to John’s Gospel account of Jesus’ words on Calvary:
Behold your Mother (John 19: 27)
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It seemed to me today that Mary was not only being the humble handmaid of the Lord but also a “prophetess” in using the word “Behold” by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – pointing us to the future when Jesus would say those words on Calvary to the beloved disciple John and to us.

Mary seemed also to be pointing us to the future words from God in the Letter to the Hebrews, which give testimony to Jesus always doing His Father’s Will – even to the “emptying” of Himself on His Cross. May the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of all God’s People today, helping us to “hear” with the ears of their hearts His Truth and His Love given to us through Mary, our Mother and Model.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful; kindle Your Love; open our ears to Your Truth Who is Jesus.
Mary, humble Mother of God and of His Church, Model for us all, pray for us.
Jesus I trust in You!
 
Yes, dear Vico,

Thanks for reminding us of that beautiful passage in Luke, as well! Again, does not that also seem to reveal our Blessed Mother as not only His Handmaid, Mother and Model for His Church but also as a Prophetess, by the power of the Holy Spirit pointing to the future?

Of course prophets do not always speak in future terms; the word “prophet” can simply indicate “One who speaks for God”, but I do not think I thought about Mary our Mother as “prophetess” so much as I did this morning.

Thanks for your reply! 🙂
 
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"In this great fiat of the little girl Mary, the strength and foundation of our life of contemplation is grounded, for it means absolute trust in God, trust which will not set us free from suffering but will set us free from anxiety, hesitation, and above all from the fear of suffering. Trust which makes us willing to be what God wants us to be, however great or however little that may prove. Trust which accepts God as illimitable Love.”

― Caryll Houselander, The Reed of God: A New Edition of a Spiritual Classic

(Great day to read this book!)
 
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Dear “LittleLady”,

Thanks for your reply, and the quote from the book The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander. I read that book many years ago and loved it. Recently I found an old copy, in good condition and began to re-read it. Price printed on the cover was $3.95 - so you can guess how old this copy is.

It seems, many among Catholics have lost their devotion to Mary in the Post-Vatican II era, particularly in younger members and some of their parents who apparently were not taught well – for devotion to Mary goes back centuries in the Church. I continue to pray and do whatever I can to rekindle devotion to our Mother, and I thank you for encouraging others on this thread to do so.

Let me quote from another great “Champion of Mary”, St. Louis de Montfort, who also wrote a little but powerful book, entitled: True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin
  1. My heart has dictated with special joy all that I have written to show that Mary has been unknown up till now, and that that is one of the reasons why Jesus Christ is not known as he should be.
If then, as is certain, the knowledge and the kingdom of Jesus Christ must come into the world, it can only be as a necessary consequence of the knowledge and reign of Mary. She who first gave him to the world will establish his kingdom in the world.
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Emphasis quote is mine; St. Louis did not include bold print.
Thanks again for your reply and for you love of Jesus and Mary. 🙂
 
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