It’s True

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; 19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:  23 "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus. Matt 1:18-25

Reflection: The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead and Jesus reveals to us that it is he who is going to be with us forever.

He has been given to us in Baptism and we are called to walk according to the Spirit (Gal. 5:16,25)

Joseph was willing not to walk by the Spirit and could have continued to follow the law of God, if not for that intervention of God in his dream and he would not have been wrong to put away Mary, after all it was not his responsibility to take care of a woman, who may be momentarily, considered as irresponsible in her discretion.

The whole law would have supported him in his action and what is worse Mary would have now been exposed publicly to meet the same of the many adulterers.

If Mary was exposed publicly, who would have believed her story, even in our day people, especially those who are sexually promiscuous, find it difficult to believe the great gift of continence and faithfulness to God.

Who doesn't wait for an opportunity to stand for justice and do what is right? Yes, the godless are the first to fight for justice through violence and wicked ways and such godless may have existed among the religious society of that time, clamoring for Mary's blood. 

They would have picked up the first stone to hit at Mary and perhaps succeeded in their design, if God would not have been with the righteous Mary. 

She is an embodiment of total faith and trust in the great possibilities of God.

How many of us men of faith will say; “nothing is impossible with God”, doubtless many will be able to say that but how many among these can in their actions and in their heart believe that this statement is true in every sense of the term.

To follow Jesus through Mary, is a call to believe in this great possibility of God, and Mary is there with us if we are to seek  her help to walk daily in that faith which alone can save us every moment unto eternity.

Prayer:  Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Let my Soul Magnify Him too

Scripture:  And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;

49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,

52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent empty away.

54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,

55 as he spoke to our fathers,to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."

56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. 
                               Luke 1:46-56

Reflection: Intimacy and love are the languages of the heart; those bitten by this bug begin to extol the greatness and beauty of their beloveds.

Mary’s proclamation of the greatness of the Lord is a language of the soul raised towards her beloved God in spiritual communion. It is an experience far greater and nobler than the one generated by eroticism of the human heart.

In honoring Mary we also acknowledge the possibility of experiencing this great overshadowing of God’s power and might to even sweep our ordinary hearts. Mary shared it with Elizabeth and now she can share it with us, if we are willing to go through the devotion of heart and mind and submit to God’s will; for she identifies herself with the lowly of heart and the humble in spirit.

Prayer: Holy mother of God, pray for us sinners so that we may share in the same grace and glory which you experienced.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship: Come grow in the Lord with us 

Mary: God’s Choice

Scripture: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Luke 1:26-38

Reflection: The angel Gabriel was sent to a young virgin betrothed to a man.

Was she then a virgin? From what we see in Scripture, she surely was a virgin.

Since she was betrothed to a man did she continue to remain a virgin? Possibly yes, because Jewish society respected the marital bond of marriage and its sacredness.

Since, she was betrothed to a man did she continue to remain a virgin in her thoughts? Possibly we could doubt and even assume our doubts as true BUT it would be foolish on our part to reject God’s choice of a virgin betrothed to a man. In doing so and thus by rejecting Mary we are rejecting God and his choice.

Prayer: Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you: Pray for us!

DD = Dedicated Discipleship: Come grow in the Lord with us 

Emulate Mary

Scripture: As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!" 28 But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

Reflection: Look at Jesus and the miracles and wonders he worked and as we go back into his life we know for sure too that blessed indeed was the womb that bore him and the breasts that he sucked. But how did that womb become blessed and great?  By hearing God’s word and keeping it; “Let it be done to me according to thy word.” Were the words of Mary to the Angel

Our effort to please God by seeking to keep his word will never end up in regret.

Prayer:  Lord, help to always listen to your word and thus be instruments of your grace to others. Mary mother of Jesus, pray for us

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us