"Mary's smile" - (words of Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The beauty of Mary’s smile came to mind today; I remembered reading a homily given by Pope Benedict XVI at Lourdes. I’ve posted on Mary’s smile before, but here are a few excerpts for anyone who has not read the homily:

… Mary loves each of her children, giving particular attention to those who, like her Son at the hour of his Passion, are prey to suffering; she loves them quite simply because they are her children, according to the will of Christ on the Cross. The psalmist, seeing from afar this maternal bond which unites the Mother of Christ with the people of faith, prophesies regarding the Virgin Mary that “the richest of the people … will seek your smile” (Ps 44:13). In this way, at the instigation of the inspired word of Scripture, Christians have always sought the smile of Our Lady… This smile of Mary is for all; but it is directed quite particularly to those who suffer, so that they can find comfort and solace therein. To seek Mary’s smile is not an act of devotional or outmoded sentimentality, but rather the proper expression of the living and profoundly human relationship which binds us to her whom Christ gave us as our Mother.

To wish to contemplate this smile of the Virgin, does not mean letting oneself be led by an uncontrolled imagination. Scripture itself discloses it to us through the lips of Mary when she sings the Magnificat: “My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit exults in God my Saviour” (Lk 1:46-47). When the Virgin Mary gives thanks to the Lord, she calls us to witness. Mary shares, as if by anticipation, with us, her future children, the joy that dwells in her heart, so that it can become ours. Every time we recite the Magnificat, we become witnesses of her smile. … In the smile of the most eminent of all creatures, looking down on us, is reflected our dignity as children of God… This smile, a true reflection of God’s tenderness, is the source of an invincible hope.

…Mary’s smile is a spring of living water. “He who believes in me”, says Jesus, “out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water” (Jn 7:38). Mary is the one who believed and, from her womb, rivers of living water have flowed forth to irrigate human history. The spring that Mary pointed out to Bernadette here in Lourdes is the humble sign of this spiritual reality. From her believing heart, from her maternal heart, flows living water which purifies and heals…

The full homily can be read HERE

 

[jaimeleglise]

Beautiful. Thank you very much. God bless you.

 

[Dorothy]

Maria Christi,

Thank you for sharing that lovely writing. We all need to be reminded of Mary’s smile.

Peace,

Dorothy

 

[RPRPsych]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The beauty of Mary’s smile came to mind today; I remembered reading a homily given by Pope Benedict XVI at Lourdes. I’ve posted on Mary’s smile before, but here are a few excerpts for anyone who has not read the homily:

The full homily can be read HERE

Awesome! Thanks for sharing this.

 

[MariaChristi]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing this.

Dear RPRP, Dorothy and jaimeleglise,

Thank you all for your replies. I"m so glad it blessed all of you as it surely blesses me each time I remember it. What an awesome God – giving us such an awesome Mother!

 

[anon98328916]

That is beautiful.

 

[MariaChristi]

That is beautiful.

Dear Therese 11,

Yes, it is – Pope Emeritus (Benedict XVI) has a gift for sharing the most profound truths in the most simple and beautiful way. How sweet, utterly sweet to ponder the smaile of our Blessed Mother Mary – and to have the words of Pope Emeritus to help us gaze on her with Faith!

Thanks for your reply!