M
MariaChristi
Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Not too long ago, I wrote about the approved apparitions of Mary to three young girls in Kibeho, Africa. Mary revealed herself as “Mother of the Word”. I thought of that title today after discussing recently how Mary is our Mother and Model, as she is Jesus’ first disciple and she is the icon of the Church in perfection. My friend in the conversation reminded me that since Mary had been immaculately conceived, and never sinned, there was never any resistance in Mary toward all that God said.
While that is true, of course, I believe Mary as a simple human person, gives us such hope that with Grace we can be like her – lovingly obedient to all Jesus has revealed in His coming to us through her. His words from the cross become more and more significant to me-- not only personally – but for the Church and for the world to whom the Church is sent. When Jesus told Mary, “Woman behold your son” and told the beloved disciple John, “Behold your mother”, He spoke not only to His Mother and John but to each of us, and to all of us.
Celebrating this 100th Anniversary Year of Mary’s Apparitions at Fatima, the Church is giving us an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus, through Mary. If we are attentive to her approved apparitions especially at Fatima, we hear Mary’s call for conversion, penance and prayer, which can remind us of her words at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you”. How can we do what He tells us if we do not listen to Him? Mary’s listening to God through the Angel Gabriel and her total gift of herself, by the pwer of the Holy Spirit, brought the Word made flesh into the world.
Hopefully each day we listen to His Word, offered at every Mass, and like our Mother, we say our “Yes” that by the Holy Spirit we may bring Jesus spiritually into the world. We may not be able to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each day and receive Him in Holy Communion, but we can receive Jesus spiritually, listening to His Word and asking Him to come more fully into our lives. The USCCB website gives the readings for each day : see HERE
For more on Kibeho apparitions, see: HERE
For more on Fatima apparitions, see: HERE
Not too long ago, I wrote about the approved apparitions of Mary to three young girls in Kibeho, Africa. Mary revealed herself as “Mother of the Word”. I thought of that title today after discussing recently how Mary is our Mother and Model, as she is Jesus’ first disciple and she is the icon of the Church in perfection. My friend in the conversation reminded me that since Mary had been immaculately conceived, and never sinned, there was never any resistance in Mary toward all that God said.
While that is true, of course, I believe Mary as a simple human person, gives us such hope that with Grace we can be like her – lovingly obedient to all Jesus has revealed in His coming to us through her. His words from the cross become more and more significant to me-- not only personally – but for the Church and for the world to whom the Church is sent. When Jesus told Mary, “Woman behold your son” and told the beloved disciple John, “Behold your mother”, He spoke not only to His Mother and John but to each of us, and to all of us.
Celebrating this 100th Anniversary Year of Mary’s Apparitions at Fatima, the Church is giving us an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus, through Mary. If we are attentive to her approved apparitions especially at Fatima, we hear Mary’s call for conversion, penance and prayer, which can remind us of her words at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you”. How can we do what He tells us if we do not listen to Him? Mary’s listening to God through the Angel Gabriel and her total gift of herself, by the pwer of the Holy Spirit, brought the Word made flesh into the world.
Hopefully each day we listen to His Word, offered at every Mass, and like our Mother, we say our “Yes” that by the Holy Spirit we may bring Jesus spiritually into the world. We may not be able to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each day and receive Him in Holy Communion, but we can receive Jesus spiritually, listening to His Word and asking Him to come more fully into our lives. The USCCB website gives the readings for each day : see HERE
For more on Kibeho apparitions, see: HERE
For more on Fatima apparitions, see: HERE
