The Great "Yes"
Yesterday, as I was walking home from the train and listening to my handy little Relevant Radio app, I happened to catch the middle of the "Father Simon Says" program. I enjoy listening to Father Simon. Not only does he explain the daily Scriptures, but he also takes questions about the faith from listeners and manages to provide thoughtful, intelligent, and modest-sounding answers. I often think it must be difficult to stay humble when you are so learned about Christ and the Church, and those around you are so ignorant. I admire those that are able to manage their pride in a constructive and Godly way.
So yesterday was the feast of the Annunciation, and appropriately, Father Simon was speaking about the corresponding verses. He went on to explain that the feast of the Annunciation was a miraculous day for the Church, more miraculous than most realize, because this was the VERY DAY that the Word was made flesh. Not Christmas, as many believe, but instead, it was the very day that God breathed life into Mary's womb, creating within her the Living God and Savior on Earth. And because we as Catholics feel such a special tenderness for all forms of life, especially life in its most precious and fragile forms, we should DOUBLY rejoice! Not only was God made flesh on this day, but he took on the very weakest of human forms, so that we all might be saved. Amazing.
Believe it or not, through all of my pregnancy-related fears and adventures and woes and joys, I haven't often thought of Mary and her pregnancy. Sure, I think of her as a mother, and I admire her feminine strength, and I imagine her maternal suffering during Jesus' death...but her pregnancy is not something I often think about. Mary, like all women that have ever been pregnant, experienced the great joy of carrying a child in her womb. Just like me.
God called Mary to pregnancy in a unique and divine way. When the angel initially appeared to her, Mary was fearful, to be sure. But it was not longer than a moment, after which Mary replied, without hesitation, YES. "I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word."
"I am the handmaid of the Lord." I am certainly that, but do I act like it? Not often enough.
"May it be done to me according to your word." If only I could repeat this same phrase, and, from the depths of my soul, with all my heart, sincerely mean it.
The great YES that changed the world as we know it. The great YES that breathed life into Mary's womb, that created Jesus in the flesh, that saved all men now and forever.
If I could just say YES to the plan for my life, what great things might be in store for me?
Belated blessings to you on this feast day, and prayers that you too say 'yes' to God's divine will in your life.
I am considering a total consecration to Jesus through Mary. I've ordered "Preparation for Total Consecration According to St. Louis de Montfort" and I am hoping that it moves my heart. I am ready to give it all up, I really am. I'm just not sure how.
xoxo,
So yesterday was the feast of the Annunciation, and appropriately, Father Simon was speaking about the corresponding verses. He went on to explain that the feast of the Annunciation was a miraculous day for the Church, more miraculous than most realize, because this was the VERY DAY that the Word was made flesh. Not Christmas, as many believe, but instead, it was the very day that God breathed life into Mary's womb, creating within her the Living God and Savior on Earth. And because we as Catholics feel such a special tenderness for all forms of life, especially life in its most precious and fragile forms, we should DOUBLY rejoice! Not only was God made flesh on this day, but he took on the very weakest of human forms, so that we all might be saved. Amazing.
Believe it or not, through all of my pregnancy-related fears and adventures and woes and joys, I haven't often thought of Mary and her pregnancy. Sure, I think of her as a mother, and I admire her feminine strength, and I imagine her maternal suffering during Jesus' death...but her pregnancy is not something I often think about. Mary, like all women that have ever been pregnant, experienced the great joy of carrying a child in her womb. Just like me.
God called Mary to pregnancy in a unique and divine way. When the angel initially appeared to her, Mary was fearful, to be sure. But it was not longer than a moment, after which Mary replied, without hesitation, YES. "I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word."
"I am the handmaid of the Lord." I am certainly that, but do I act like it? Not often enough.
"May it be done to me according to your word." If only I could repeat this same phrase, and, from the depths of my soul, with all my heart, sincerely mean it.
The great YES that changed the world as we know it. The great YES that breathed life into Mary's womb, that created Jesus in the flesh, that saved all men now and forever.
If I could just say YES to the plan for my life, what great things might be in store for me?
Belated blessings to you on this feast day, and prayers that you too say 'yes' to God's divine will in your life.
I am considering a total consecration to Jesus through Mary. I've ordered "Preparation for Total Consecration According to St. Louis de Montfort" and I am hoping that it moves my heart. I am ready to give it all up, I really am. I'm just not sure how.
xoxo,
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