Time teaches us as life goes on. We are able to grasp our own self-identity and realize that there is a purpose for our lives. God has destined us to play a part in salvation history that God has asked of no other. This was most definitely true for Mary. It is also true for each of us.
We honor Mary as the mother of Jesus, yet we can appreciate how she was human and like us, could not possible imagine all that this meant when the Angel Gabriel first came to her. Because she was a woman of unshakeable faith, she lived each experience faithfully. She was able to recognize the hand of God in all things, even in the most confusing and desolate times on Calvary.
We sometimes use the word awesome to describe something that makes us feel good or celebratory. In the true sense of the word, Mary must have lived in awe of the great things God had done for her, everyday of her life. She accepted God's providential love step-by-step. Nothing was a coincidence to her.
During this Advent, I ask that Mary be with me and with each person who reads this simple blog. Like Mary, we yearn to live out of the deep faith. We do not always know the road before us. Many times our well-thought out plans are changed in an instant. Many times we are taken by joyful surprise or by a sword of sorrow that may pierce our souls. We can pray to Mary, when we do not understand or do not know the way before us. We can ask her to help us remain faithful.
We joyfully begin Advent because we do know what gift Jesus' Incarnation was to the world and to us. And we marvel, in awe at all the Almighty has done for us. Holy is His Name!
We honor Mary as the mother of Jesus, yet we can appreciate how she was human and like us, could not possible imagine all that this meant when the Angel Gabriel first came to her. Because she was a woman of unshakeable faith, she lived each experience faithfully. She was able to recognize the hand of God in all things, even in the most confusing and desolate times on Calvary.
We sometimes use the word awesome to describe something that makes us feel good or celebratory. In the true sense of the word, Mary must have lived in awe of the great things God had done for her, everyday of her life. She accepted God's providential love step-by-step. Nothing was a coincidence to her.
During this Advent, I ask that Mary be with me and with each person who reads this simple blog. Like Mary, we yearn to live out of the deep faith. We do not always know the road before us. Many times our well-thought out plans are changed in an instant. Many times we are taken by joyful surprise or by a sword of sorrow that may pierce our souls. We can pray to Mary, when we do not understand or do not know the way before us. We can ask her to help us remain faithful.
We joyfully begin Advent because we do know what gift Jesus' Incarnation was to the world and to us. And we marvel, in awe at all the Almighty has done for us. Holy is His Name!