What Mary Did Not Say

I was reading a book over Christmas about how Our Lady responded to Gods call and the meaning of the few words she spoke recorded in the Gospels. After contemplating different elements of the book I wondered what would have happened if Our Lady had responded to Gods invitation in a totally human, selfish way. And how do we respond to Gods Will.

So this is what Mary did not say.

"Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." ..."Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Mary: "But ArchAngel Gabriel, I am still not married so if I were to suddenly appear pregnant this would ruin my reputation in the eyes of my neighbours and my betrothed, Joseph. And if I say I have seen an Angel the people will scoff at me and think me mad. In the end what others think of me is more important than to follow God's Will."

Do you follow God's Will or are you more concerned with 'what will the neighbours think?'

"The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God."

Mary: "you know this and I know it but my family, my friends and my neighbours will not know this. Once again what will people think of me? They will think me disgraced how could I bear such a burden. It is all too much for one so young."

If you are accused of something you did not do, can you persevere through misunderstanding and remain at peace because God knows you are innocent? Or do you rail against the injustice of it all?

"And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary: "This is great news for Elizabeth and her husband and I know that nothing is impossible for God except controlling human opinion or gossiping tongues. Elizabeth is married so when she gives birth there will be great rejoicing and noone will accuse her of anything. With me it will be different for I am unmarried and many people will think ill of me. And there is Joseph to consider, he will never understand and I do not wish to hurt him...So thank you but no thank you Archangel Gabriel."

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When reading the fake discourse above can we truly appreciate Mary's Fiat, for indeed she would have faced questions from the community where she lived. There would have been raised eye brows, hushed whispers and much finger pointing.

Thankfully Mary put Gods Will first. Do you?

Written by Marie.

Merry Christmas to ALL

Moonless darkness stands between.

Past, the Past, no more be seen!

But the Bethlehem star may lead me To the sight of Him

Who freed me From the self that I have been.

Make me pure, Lord: Thou art Holy; Make me meek, Lord:

Thou wert lowly; Now beginning, and always,

Now begin, on Christmas day.

Hopkins.

((((((((((((Friends)))))))))))))))))

This year has been a particularly difficult one for me as I have been in a considerable amount of pain but your kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness has helped me so much that words fail. Except to say that many of you have sustained me through some bleak moments. God's abundant love to you all...All of you mean so much to me, God bless you all. And to Ginny a soul sister from across the sea, thank you for always being there for me. We are all Gifts to one another and I have been extremely blessed. God is Good.

Merry Christmas to you ALL.

With much love,

Marie xooxoxoxoxo

Mary Beloved of God

Mary's part in the Salvation of man is of the utmost importance for each of us, for through Mary, we also learn to live the Divine Will with perfection, as did Mary. It was never God's intention to consign Mary to the history books as if she had no more to offer in and of herself.

Mary, was chosen by God to help bring Salvation to all men, through the birth of her son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The most singular feature in this is that God loved Mary for who she was and not for what she would give Him. This is why understanding Mary's unique place in the Salvation of man is integral, because it reveals the Love of our Heavenly Father to his children.

God is a delicate and sensitive Father who Loves us with a depth that the human mind will never be able to comprehend. How can so many disregard the role that Mary played in the Salvation of mankind, as if she were of little consequence?

It is Mary that teaches us true humility in that she drew no attention to herself but instead always points to her Son. Our Blessed Mother looked for no earthly titles in that God loved her for herself, what need would she have had for grand palaces or worldly titles?

Mary knew what was important in life and it was not in a gaining of things but in a giving of herself, an emptying of herself for love of all mankind. Through her Fiat, God became man with both Divine and human nature.

It is Mary who reveals the Awesome Love of God The Father who sent His Son to be the Savior of All.

Let us raise our voices in Praise for our Heavenly Father not for what He gives us but to love God for Himself alone.

For Love of Mary-A Personal Testimony

As most are aware I was not raised in a religious environment. I experienced a conversion to Christianity when I was 30 years old from which I was baptized into the Lutheran Church.

I loved the Lutheran Church and joined several bible studies and prayer devotional groups. The Lutheran people were wonderful to me and accepted me into their homes and their hearts.

Why then did I leave?

It was during a Christmas service when our Pastor gave his sermon. He said to paraphrase, 'Mary was just an ordinary young girl who God happened to choose to bear His Son. Any woman here could also have been chosen.'

For some reason this particular sermon did not sit well with me. How could any of us think that we could carry Jesus within our bodies? Weak, frail and sinful as we are? It simply did not make sense.

I tried to speak to the Pastor about my concerns but he did not take much notice, but I could not let it go. There was something special about Mary. I had to find out what.

The following week I went to the only catholic book shop in Adelaide and bought almost every book I could find on Mary. I read descriptions where authors alluded to the Ark of the Covenant and how Mary was described as the Ark of the New Covenant, now this made sense.

I read strange words like 'Immaculate Conception' and that Mary was the new Eve. More strange words also came to the forefront like 'Eucharist', which then had me buying books on the Eucharist.

I read books where authors said that Mary was sinless and that God had performed this miracle in the womb of her own Mother, St. Anne, rather than confuse me it made perfect sense.

In order for Mary to carry Jesus within her womb she HAD to be sinless for as I have said, the Divine cannot co-exist with corruption.

Through this journey I also knew that Mary was indeed like us. A normal woman who cared for her family and tended to their needs but unlike us, Mary did the Will of the Father perfectly.

I was beginning to love this woman. This perfect and most wondrous lady called, Mary.

Then I read about the Cross and how the Mother of God beheld her Son, bloodied, spittle mixed with sweat dripping from Him. Naked and humiliated. This was her beloved Son, this was her God, who hung from a Cross.

I began to understand what love is.

I understood Mary's love for each of us. Yes! We are also her children. I finally understood that Mary gave her Fiat not just to God but for all of us who are in need of Salvation.

Mary was no human incubator. Mary was God's JOY.

When you love Mary you do not love Jesus less, if anything one learns to love Jesus more because Mary points to her Son, 'do what He tells you.'

The love I have for this most beautiful of women fail me. I cannot describe in words the greatness of this most Holy Woman, a woman who brings JOY to God's Heart.

All I can say is the more I learnt about Mary the more I loved her. This most wondrous Mother has my heart. How could anyone not love the Mother of God?

I spent a year discerning where God wished me to be, but I knew I was being called into the Catholic Church.

By leaving the Lutheran Church I upset many of my friends who felt betrayed. Some came to me and tried to instill fear by saying the Pope is the Anti-Christ.

I did not argue with them. I knew the Truth. It is true when the Word says, 'The Truth shall set you free.'

Many of my Lutheran friends did not speak to me for more than ten years. I understood the pain they felt, and that they considered me a traitor. I understood but I did not turn back.

Though my journey into the Catholic Church was painful, still I did not turn back. I understood to turn back meant leaving behind Our Blessed Mother and the Sacraments of the One True Church.

Our Lady not only stole my heart, she saved it.

My heart overflows with love for Mother Church, for the Sacraments which give us life and for Mary who gave us..Christ.

How can one not love this most beautiful of Mothers? You tell me? Does Mary have your heart?

Why Do Catholics Worship Mary?

Did the title grab your attention?

Catholics do not worship Mary. What Catholics do is Venerate, Revere, Respect and admire Mary.

Why do Catholics love Mary so much?

Because God loved her first and chose Mary for Himself from the beginning of time. (Genesis 3:14-15).

What makes Mary so special?

Look at it this way. Do you think God would choose you to carry His Son in your womb? Think about it. Are you that pure? Or that sinless?

In order to preserve God's Word the Jews constructed the Ark Of The Covenant. It was so Holy that when Uzzah reached out to steady it, God struck him on the spot and Uzzah died. (II Samuel 6:6-7).

If God protected His Word so carefully, why would God do less for His Beloved Son?

In order to nuture the Son of God, Mary had to be pure, holy and sinless. Do we think God could not do this miracle within the heart and soul of Mary? Of course God can and did so. God did this when Anne was pregnant with her daughter, Mary. Remember, God can do all things. It is man who is limited.

One more thing needs to be considered. Would God use a woman as a human incubator and then carelessly toss her aside as if she were worthless? To do this would break one of God's own Commandments, 'Honour thy mother and father.'

It is inconceivable that God would treat the Mother of God so disrespectfully. How can any person think such a thing?

When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth the child within Elizabeth's womb leapt for joy as Elizabeth cried out, 'Most blessed are you among women.' Elizabeth mentions Mary first then Elizabeth continues, 'and blessed is the fruit of your womb.' Then Elizabeth says, '...That the mother of my Lord should come to me?' Mary then proclaimed the Greatness of God, her spirit rejoices in God her Savior and she continues to say, 'from now on will all the ages call me blessed.'(Luke 1:41-43, 46-48)

When looking at the above statements are both Elizabeth and Mary deluded or prideful? Or are they speaking Divine Truth?

In order to carry the Son of God Mary had to be without corruption, in other words without sin. The Divine cannot co-exist with corruption.

When we understand Mary's purity, her holiness we then understand the chasteness of the Marital Union between her and her holy spouse, Joseph.

If the Ark of the Covenant could not be touched by human hands then how could Mary be touched intimately by a man? To understand Joseph is to honour the fact that both Joseph and Mary's union remained Chaste and pure.

The Immaculate Conception remains Dogma because it is Truth revealed and cemented in Church Teaching and Tradition. It merely cements into Church Tradition the Biblical understanding when Gabriel says, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you...The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God."(Luke 1:28,35)

Just as sin was brought into the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. The sting of death was negated by the birth, death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior through Mary's FIAT.

Jesus and Mary restored that which was broken by Adam and Eve.

There was only one voice which objected to Mary's preeminence, and with a cry of 'I do not serve' Lucifer was thrown down to hell.

In the end if God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit chose Mary, who are you to disagree?

Meditation With Mary

Luke Chapter 1:46-55

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Reflection

We have had many Saints who led immensely holy lives their total love and zealousness for God is truly an example to us all. What makes Mary different from these wonderful Saints of our Church? It is by looking at the Saints that we gain a glimpse of just how unique and glorious that Mary truly is.

Mary was without sin as her soul was filled with Grace, therefore there is no corruption within the heart and soul of Mary. Still Mary was an ordinary woman, filled with an extraordinary love of God which overwhelms her completely. It is this consummation that makes Mary beloved of God, as the Triune Spirit glories in their perfect creature.

Within the heart of Mary is the illumination of the Triune Spirit. It is through Mary we gain a glimpse of the Divine as Mary surrendered herself to the Triune Spirit. Through Mary we also see the perfect joy that the Triune Spirit enjoyed when gazing at their most perfect woman, who with her Fiat, Mary in perfect conformity to The Divine Will, undid the imperfect will of Eve.

Mary is the beloved of the Triune Spirit, there can be no-one who can replace or who can compare to this most perfect wonderment of womanhood. It is also through Mary that we also gain a glimpse as to what we can be when we transcend our limitations and surrender our hearts to the Will of the Divine.

Mary is essentially, beloved of the Trinity for all time. For those who question Mary's place should ponder this thought; if Mary found favour with the Trinity who are any of us to find disfavour?

Feast of the Queenship of Mary Our Mother

Today we celebrate the Blessed Mother as Our Queen. From the moment of her "yes" at the Annunciation, the Holy Spirit has been her Spouse, thus we can call her our Queen. As our Queen Mother, she intercedes for us to the King whenever we ask her to -- because she loves us dearly, each of us, very dearly.

Mary, Queen of Heaven, give me your heart, so beautiful, so pure, so Immaculate, so full of love and humility that I may be able to receive Jesus in the Bread of Life, love Him and serve Him in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor.

Let me live within your heart and there receive a share of your own love for Jesus, for the Church and for all people. Give me some measure of your own humility and surrender to the will of the Father. May Jesus take on flesh in me.

Like you, I want to be a spouse of the Holy Spirit, docile to His gentlest inspiration and join you in signing a Magnificat for all eternity. Oh my soul magnify the Lord and my spirit rejoice in God my Saviour!

Totus Tuus, Maria ! I belong to you. I want to be …..

All YES

Only YES

Always YES

Amen

Mary-Who Is She?

Mary was an ordinary woman but what happened to Mary was extraordinary, in that God chose her from the beginning of time to help restore that which was broken through Sin. By giving her FIAT to God, Mary opened the Door to Heaven for each of us, for it is through her that our Lord and Savior was born to save ALL mankind. Mary is in effect Co-Redeemer alongside her Son and Savior Jesus Christ. This does not mean that Mary is Divine.

As we look at the life of Mary and the Mystery of her person we find that her life is unfolded like a tapestry of Divine Gold Thread, weaving a design of such Majesty that our limited intellect cannot grasp.

Many historians believe that Mary was born in Jerusalem, the daughter of Joachim and Ann. Some also speculate that Mary was born in Nazareth, but where ever she was born, Mary would have lived a very traditional life, learning the arts of cooking, cleaning and the religious Laws of her day. There is the Tradition that Mary as a young girl spent years serving in The Temple, as she prayed like many others for the coming of the Messiah.

As was the tradition in her day, Mary's parents Joachim and Ann, arranged a marriage between their daughter and Joseph the carpenter, and this is where Mary's path took a very different course than any other person. It would change Mary's life entirely and also the world. For it was soon after her engagement to Joseph that the Archangel Gabriel brought to Mary the 'Good News', as the Angel exclaimed, 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee." Mary was puzzled and deeply disturbed by these words and questioned the Archangel not out of doubt but from her purity of heart Mary said to the angel, "how can this come about, since I am a virgin?"

As we know Mary gave birth to The Promised Messiah who was named Jesus or Immanuel, and even though Mary is not mentioned a lot in the Bible, this does not mean we should disregard the impact she has had on the generations to come. For Mary is our most perfect example of womanhood. A wife and Mother who would have gone about her daily tasks of cleaning house, cooking, sewing, washing and nurturing the baby Jesus and to be a helpmate to Joseph her husband.

We need look no further than Mary Most Holy to define what it means to be a woman and a woman of immense Faith. A woman who followed God's Will without always understanding the Whys of it, still in all humility and meekness Mary did the Will of The Father. For Mary did not seek glory for herself but to fulfill God's Mission through the Salvific Death and Resurrection of her most beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mary-Our Perfect Example-A Reflection

The beginning of Jesus Ministry did not mean that Mary's involvement lessened nor that she was cast aside, for Mary too was to play an integral part in her Son's Ministry.

It would have been Mary that provided a listening heart to his many friends and followers, as she welcomed them into her home and traveled with them as Jesus preached, taught, and healed the wounded and sick.

I am sure that Mary would have provided a keen insight into their home life to the Apostles, and shared her family joys and sorrows with them. But Mary also was a woman of quiet contemplation and of few words, so she would have listened to these friends of Jesus and provided comfort in their times of confusion and bewilderment.

Wherever they journeyed Mary and the women disciples would have provided care and comfort for not only Jesus but his friends and followers. This meant cooking traditional meals such as bread, the vegetables that were in season, fish, served with olives and goats cheese and meals such as Labaneh and other dishes, spiced with the herbs of the area.

Mary would have also provided a good example for the women followers of Jesus and they would have helped Mary in keeping what ever home they stayed in clean and tidy. They also would have helped Mary in the cooking; one can imagine the men gathered around Jesus listening to him as he spoke to them of the Kingdom of God, whilst Mary and the other women prepared the meals. But what Mary would have shown these women disciples of Jesus, is that though one may be busy at their tasks, still one listens to the voice of God, in a spirit of humble obedience, even in the midst of preparing and cleaning.

So though Mary occupied herself with the daily ritual of cooking, cleaning, knitting and darning the clothes of her Son and his friends, with the help of the other women, she would have incorporated prayer into every activity. This would have been a wonderful example for the other women to follow and is central to the Mission of Jesus, that women were not second class citizens but were an essential part to his Ministry.

But there also would have been occasions of humour and fun amidst the seriousness, and Mary would have shared stories of the infant Jesus and her beloved but deceased husband Joseph, as they conversed together in a spirit of fellowship.

And through the love that Jesus had for his mother, it would have also allowed the other Apostles to see the value which Jesus placed on the importance of women in his Ministry and for women in general.

So throughout Jesus Ministry, Mary too had her role, which was to provide an example of Holy obedience with true meekness of heart and soul, and to ennoble the role of women in the life of Jesus, and in what was to come.