Pondering God's Compassion reflected in Mary

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Yesterday I posted an excerpt from the book, “Mary – the Church at the Source” in which Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI) wrote about Mary, reflecting the Compassion of God. I promised to continue this section of the book, as it is titled, ‘Mary in the Paschal Mystery’. By God’s Grace, let us ponder these words today:

"…The sword shall pierce her heart-- this statement foreshadows the Son’s Passion, which will become her own passion. This passion already begins with her next visit to the temple: she must learn to release the Son she has borne. She must complete the Yes to God’s will that made her a mother by withdrawing into the background and letting Jesus enter upon His mission.

Jesus’ rebuffs during His public life and her withdrawal are an important step that will reach its goal on the Cross, with the words, “behold your son”. It is no longer Jesus but the disciple who is her son. To accept and to be available is the first step required of her; to let go and to release is the second.

Only in this way does her motherhood become complete: the “blessed be the womb that bore you” comes true only when it enters into the other beatitude: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” (Luke 11: 27 -28). By this means Mary is prepared for the mystery of the Cross, which does not simply end on Golgotha. Her Son remains a sign of contradiction, and she is thus kept to the very end in the pain of this contradition, in the pain of her messianic motherhood.

The image of the grieving Mother, who in her suffering had become sheer compassion and who now holds the dead Christ on her lap has become especially dear to Christian piety…

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful; kindle in us the Fire of Your Love.

God willing, I’ll continue tomorrow. Again, after prayerful reading and pondering, if you would like to share what blessed you, I’d be grateful. Others may also be longing to hear more from God through His Mystical Body – each of us her children, given to Mary on Calvary.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks so much for your “faithful heart” and your love for Jesus through Mary. It was a surprise to me that yesterday after posting this thread I found no one apparently “liked” it for their were no “hearts” or “replies”. It was a surprise because there are so many contentions swirling around in the world today - not only in the world but in the Church which is to be a Light to the world.

Surely to ponder God’s Compassion reflected in Mary would be helpful – apparently you are the only one so far who has appreciated the words of Cardinal Ratzinger now Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI in the book, Mary - The Church at the Source . I will continue to post perhaps using a different title this morning, but I am grateful to you, dear Stephie and I hope others will begin to appreciate the Wisdom God gave to Pope Emeritus in writing this book sometime ago. I’m grateful I purchased it and continue to re-read and be blessed by it.

May our Mother continue to smile upon you, dear Stephie, thanks again for your “Heart” given to God through Mary.