Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 Lk. 2:16-21 “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
- May we meditate on these readings, reflecting on them in heart, like the Blessed Virgin Mary!
Part 1: God chose the weak… by Saint Augustine of Hippo
Part 2: KNOW, LOVE AND IMITATE MARY! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
Part 3: Mary’s Magnificat (Lk. 1:46-55) – May we sing this Song of Praise with Mary!
God chose the weak… by Saint Augustine of Hippo
And because we find something like this written: “God chose the weak things of this world to disconcert the strong, and the low-born things of this world He chose, and the things that are not like those that are, that the things that are might be brought to nothing” (1 Cor 1:27-28), we have to remind ourselves that our Lord Jesus Christ came not only for the salvation of the poor, but also of the rich, not only of commoners, but also of kings. He refused, all the same, to choose kings for His disciples, refused rich people, refused the nobly born, refused the learned; but instead He chose poor, uneducated, low-born fisherman, in whom His grace would shine through more clearly.
He came, you see, to give the potion of humility and to cure pride. And if He had first called a king, the king would have said that it was his rank that was chosen; if he had first called a learned man, he would have said it was his teaching that was chosen. Those who were being called to lowliness and humility would have to be called by lowly and humble people. And so it is that Christ did not gain a fisherman through an emperor, but an emperor through a fisherman.
PART 2: KNOW, LOVE AND IMITATE MARY!
Mary is the loving Daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son, and the Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Mary is intimately intertwined and linked to the Blessed Trinity. This short Marian essay that follows offers seven separate titles that the Church offers to strengthen our knowledge, love, devotion and desire to imitate Mary. Saint Louis de Montfort states clearly: The quickest, easiest, and shortest path to Jesus is through His Blessed Mother, Mary most holy. Loving Mary brings us to love Jesus, and Jesus brings us to the very Heart of God the Father.
SEVEN MARIAN TITLES TO FOSTER LOVE & DEVOTION.
1. THE MASTERPIECE OF CREATION. In his over-flowing love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Louis de Montfort penned this title: Mary, the Masterpiece of Creation. Reflect on masterpieces in the world! The Pieta by Michelangelo, The Divine Comedy written by Dante, the Last Supper painted by Leonardo Davinci, The Prodigal Son, painted by Rembrandt, the Majestic Major Basilicas in Rome, Confessions written by Saint Augustine, the Summa Theologica composed by Saint Thomas Aquinas— all of the above are literary and artistic accomplishments that leave us almost stunned by their striking beauty and depth. In the same way we can say that two of the greatest creations of God are the Incarnation of the Son of God and the creation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was actually instrumental in the working of the Incarnation of the Son of God. Mary is indeed The Masterpiece of Creation. What do you admire most in her???
2. MYSTICAL SPOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. As mentioned above, Mary has an intimate union with the Blessed Trinity. Of course this includes her relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Immaculate Conception was the work of the Holy Spirit—Mary conceived without the stain of Original Sin. The Virginal Conception is the operation of the Holy Spirit—Jesus was conceived in Mary by the overshadowing (Shekinah—Hebrew) of the Holy Spirit. The Church was born upon the Coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost—Mary was there in prayer, silence, and fasting for nine days before this monumental event. Do you want to have a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit? Then, learn to love Mary; she is His Mystical Spouse!
3. THE MYSTICAL ROSE. In the literary Masterpiece of Dante, the Divine Comedy, as Saint Bernard ascends to the higher regions of heaven, he lifts up his eyes to contemplate a beauty that captivates him beyond the expression of human language as he sees THE MYSTICAL ROSE. This beautiful flower in the center of the Garden of Heaven is the Blessed Virgin Mary. A flower known for its captivating beauty, aromatic redolence and fragrance, and softness of touch. So it is in drawing close to Mary, The Mystical Rose. Mary brings us to an understanding of true beauty and appreciation of grace in our soul. Mary attains for us a spiritual sense in which we are almost magnetically drawn to what is pure, noble, holy and saintly. Finally, Mary though her powerful but gentle presence secures for us a gentleness, meekness and tenderness in dealing with others, so important for drawing souls back to God!
4. MOTHER OF MERCY—OUR LIFE, OUR SWEETNESS, AND OUR HOPE. Many titles in one, Mary is indeed our Mother in the order of grace and helps us to maintain grace in our souls by avoiding sin. Upon falling, Mary attains for us the grace to rebound with resiliency and throw ourselves in the arms of our Merciful and Loving Father. She attains for us life and life in abundance through a deeper love for Jesus. In the midst of the bitterness of life, she fills our souls with sweetness. Finally, in a world that has lost meaning, purpose and hope, Our Lady buoys us up on the wings of eagles to view beyond this life and to peer into heaven, our true home. Read the classic book of Saint Alphonsus Liguori Hail Holy Queen. Pray slowly and often the beautiful prayer said at the end of the Holy Rosary: Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
5. GATE OF HEAVEN. The purpose of our short, transitory, unpredictable, ephemeral life on earth is to attain heaven. By cultivating a dynamic love, devotion and trust in Mary, we are on the highway to heaven. True, there are many detours and potholes along the road. Mary helps us in the midst of turmoil, stress, uncertainty, tension and suffering to have our eyes fixed on the purpose of our life—to get to heaven. One of the beautiful titles for Mary is GATE OF HEAVEN. As a loving and tender Mother, she is praying for you right now so that you will love Jesus fully and totally in this life, so as to praise Him forever in heaven.
6. STELLA MARIS—STAR OF THE SEA! One of the most famous prayers/poems ever written on Mary was by the Mellifluous Doctor, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, with the title Stella Maris—Star of the Sea. In the midst of the tempestuous sea of life, surrounded by so many dangers from within and from without, we must have our eyes lifted on high and contemplate Stella Maris—Star of the Sea. That beautiful, shining and glimmering Star of the Sea is Mary. Way before the invention of electricity, sailors depended greatly on the light of the stars to navigate them to the port safely and securely. Amidst the storms of life, we must lift our gaze on high to Mary, Stella Maris, Star of the Sea. Indeed, by her most powerful prayers, she will lead us safely to the Port of salvation, our heavenly home. Never was it known that anyone who turned to Mary was left unaided. (Memorare, Saint Bernard)
7. QUEEN OF ALL HEARTS. Finally, we conclude with one of the favorite titles of Saint Louis de Montfort, Our Lady, Queen of all hearts! May you always strive with all of the energy of your whole being to seek refuge in the two most special and secure places: the most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary! May Jesus be the King of your heart and Mary the Queen of your heart in time and for all eternity!
Let us conclude with an inspiring quotation from Saint John Eudes regarding the Heart of Mary: The Heart of Mary is a sun that spreads its rays and warmth throughout the world. It is constantly working in every way possible for the salvation of souls. May Our Lady’s prayers set our hearts on fire with love of Almighty God and the salvation of Immortal Souls!
PART 3: The Magnificat – May we never tire of praying this Prayer of Mary! (Lk 1:46-55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
