Preparing our Hearts for the Savior’s Birth - Maintaining Hope, Spiritual Optimism and Peace

We are nearing the end of our Advent season and the beautiful season of Christmas is near. As we patiently await the birth of our Savior, we find ourselves scampering here and there amidst the hustle and bustle of crowded stores, and traffic jams. At times such as these we must hang on to our hope for the “grinch” will try to rob us of our peace. It is very easy to get caught up in the net of commercialism; and the stress that consumes us can shake our spiritual optimism. We may find ourselves on a treadmill stuck in high gear. Consumerism is the apparent culprit, but perhaps the greater problem is a lack of faith and hope that leaves our vulnerable souls open for the enemy’s attack. At times Christmas celebrations can be “over the top” for we indulge in lavish foods, drink and jollity to the point that the real meaning of Christmas is overshadowed by the so called “finer things of life.” Eating, drinking and general merriment is wonderful providing that Christ’s birth is the reason for our happiness. Everyone tries to “get into the Christmas spirit”. A glass of eggnog, some Christmas Eve snow, and a few strolling carolers will add to the ambiance and help boost our spirits, but without Christ our parties are pointless, and superficial. How do we spread the joy of Christ’s birth when the stress of the season seems insurmountable? Perhaps if we get off the treadmill and simply contemplate the empty crèche that awaits the Christ Child, we will find the real Christmas spirit. Gaze at Mary and Joseph and imagine being in that lowly stable in Bethlehem as they wait with joy the birth of the child - the baby Jesus who comes bearing love to save us from our sins. Perhaps if we invite the Holy Family into our celebrations we will find our peace, for our hope is in The Child.  In decorating our homes, let every candle we place in our window, every ornament we hang on our tree, every carol we sing, every cookie we bake, and every gift we exchange be for Christ. Our homes should reflect His love, and our parties ought to be a joyful celebration of His anticipated coming. We should go to Mary and Joseph in prayer and ask them to help us prepare our souls to receive the Savior of the World, our King, the Prince of Peace.

 

Wishing all of you a Blessed and Joyous Christmas Filled with Hope.

Mary the Mother of God – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Today, on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we conclude our nine-day novena in her honor. We rightfully honor her under her title Queen conceived without original sin, for she who was the most blessed among women was chosen to become the mother of God before she was conceived in her mother’s womb. Our Lord prepared Our Lady to receive in her beautiful, sacred and spotless vessel, the greatest gift ever bestowed to mankind, the gift of His only son, Jesus the Christ. Our Blessed Mother’s Fiat to the Angel Gabriel was a great blessing for all of us because in her words, “be it done unto me according to thy word”, she became the Mother of Christ, and later at the foot of the cross, became mother to all souls, living and dead. She now resides in Heaven as our Queen, and Queen of all creation. Even in Heaven she is within our grasp if we just go to her with all of our needs, joys and sorrows. This very loving mother of ours’ longs to hear from us and will come to our aid in an instant. St. Josemaria Escriva, the Founder of Opus Dei said in The Way, “Mother! Call her with a loud voice. She is listening to you; she sees you in danger, perhaps, and she­–your holy mother Mary–offers you, along with the grace of her son, the refuge of her arms, the tenderness of her embrace…and you will find yourself with added strength for the new battle.” (#516) Pray to her under her many titles in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.

 

THE LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

 

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.

Christ graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven Have mercy on us.

God the Son, redeemer of the world

God the Holy Spirit

Holy Trinity, one God

Holy Mary, Pray for us

Holy Mother of God,

Holy Virgin of virgins,

Mother of Christ,

Mother of divine grace,

Mother most pure,

Mother most chaste,

Mother inviolate,

Mother undefiled,

Mother most amiable,

Mother most admirable,

Mother of good counsel,

Mother of our Creator,

Mother of our Savior,

Mother Immaculate

Virgin most prudent,

Virgin most venerable,

Virgin most renowned,

Virgin most powerful,

Virgin most merciful,

Virgin most faithful,

Mirror of justice,

Seat of wisdom,

Cause of our joy,

Spiritual vessel,

Vessel of honor,

Singular vessel of devotion,

Mystical rose,

Tower of David,

Tower of ivory,

House of gold,

Ark of the Covenant,

Gate of Heaven,

Morning star,

Health of the sick,

Refuge of sinners,

Comforter of the afflicted,

Help of Christians,

Queen of angels,

Queen of patriarchs,

Queen of prophets,

Queen of apostles,

Queen of martyrs,

Queen of confessors,

Queen of virgins,

Queen of all saints,

Queen of the family

Queen conceived without Original Sin,

Queen assumed into Heaven,

Queen of the most holy Rosary,

Queen of peace,

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

 

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

 

Let us pray. O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech you, that, we, who meditate on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen

                 

                                                     

HAIL HOLY QUEEN

Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, poor, banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

                                    

Mary the Mother of God – The Wedding Feast at Cana

As Our Lady lived most of her life in private, we have only a few accounts of her personal life. One of these was the wedding feast at Cana. Our Blessed Mother spoke only a few words at that wedding at Cana: “They have no more wine”, and “Do whatever He tells you.” These words simply stated, express the thoughts she carried in her heart.  She had no need to provide lengthy explanations for she trusted completely that her son would provide the solution.  Frederico Suarez, author of the book, Mary of Nazareth, delves deeply into the meaning of Our Lady’s simple words. “She was His mother. She had seen Him sleeping in her arms, but nevertheless she did not venture here to tell Him what He should do. She merely pointed out the problem to him and left the rest to his own judgment, convinced that whatever solution He offered, no matter what He decided to do, would be the best possible; she left the matter entirely to him, leaving him completely free to do his own Will without any feeling of obligation. Why? She knew that whatever He chose to do, it would be the most perfect thing that could be done, and the problem would be solved in the best possible way. She did not tie his hands, so to speak, or force him to take one line of action, determining a certain mode of proceeding for him; she trusted in his wisdom, in his superior knowledge, in his wider and deeper vision of things, a vision that took in aspects and circumstances perhaps unknown to her. She did not even ask whether He would think it fitting to intervene or not: She merely pointed out the problem and left it in his hands.”  

 

Frederico Suarez so eloquently captures the words in Our Lady’s heart that one can almost see inside her beautiful soul. Her deep faith, total trust and abiding love and respect for her son so moves our hearts that we desire to emulate her simple and most effective way. We may from time to time be at a loss for words. We know what we want to say but cannot effectively communicate our thoughts to others. Usually it is with those people closest to us that we encounter the greatest breakdown in communication, for the more we love, the harder it is to convey those words in our hearts. We too, in our relationships, should model Our Lady’s sincerity and simplicity for she always knew the right words to speak. She will help us to be docile to the inspirations from the Holy Spirit.

Recommended Reading:

Mary of Nazareth, Frederico Suarez - www.scepterpublishers.org

 

Mary the Mother of God – She Pondered All Things in Her Heart

Our Blessed Mother Mary was blessed abundantly with many truths of our faith yet these things she pondered in her heart. We do not know the finite details of Our Lady’s life in Nazareth for much of her life remained hidden from the world. She passed by unnoticed and blended into the background of society carrying out her duties with diligence, simplicity, and grace. Our Lady in her perfect humility never sought praise or recognition for her only desire was to give all the glory to God her Father. St. Josemaria Escriva said, “Not even to Joseph does Mary communicate the mystery that God has wrought in her. This lesson teaches us not to be accustomed to speaking lightly but to channel our joys and sorrows correctly without seeking praise or sympathy. Deo omnis Gloria! – all for God” (The Furrow #647.) When we find ourselves with a preponderance of thoughts to convey to others, let us model Our Lady’s humility and ponder all things in our hearts; and astutely ascertain that our speech not be self-serving but only be for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor. 

Mary the Mother of God – Model of Perfect Virtue

Mary is indeed the Mother God, but she is our mother as well. As she stood at the foot of the cross, overwhelmed with grief, Christ looked down and spoke the words we know so very well, “Son, behold they mother, mother behold they son”. At that moment Christ gave His mother not only to John, but to all of us. Mary became the mother of the whole human race. She lived the human virtues to perfection. Could there be any better model for those of us blessed with the responsibility of raising or caring for children than our beautiful Mother Mary?

 

The care of children can be a great challenge. Our Mother Mary, although she was perfect and free from any form of temptation or sin, still suffered for her son, Jesus. At the presentation in the Temple, she learned that Jesus was to be the cause of the rise and fall of many in Israel and her heart too a sword would pierce. Joseph and Mary both experienced fear and misunderstanding when Jesus was separated from them for three days as He went about doing His Father’s business. At the foot of the cross Our Lady suffered the greatest pain imaginable – the death of her child. Although she suffered greatly, her fortitude, trust and divine filiation enabled her to carry out the will of God in her life. 

 

There is no question that raising a family today is a challenge. However some parents find the task so overwhelmingly difficult, that rather than tackle the problems, they retreat to passivity and allow their children to “go with the flow” and succumb to current philosophies and practices. Regardless of the challenges that face parents today in the rearing of children, we have an obligation to honor God by living our faith and instilling in children the virtues of faith, hope, and charity as well as generosity, kindness, patience, perseverance, fortitude, courage and purity to mention a few. St. Josemaria, said, "Some people bring children into the world for their own benefit, to serve their own purposes, out of selfishness. They forget children are a wonderful gift from God for which they will have to render a very special account…” (The Furrow, #845.) Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and teachers are called upon to set good example for their children by living all the Christian virtues, particularly Holy Purity. St. Josemaria said, “When we were little, we kept close to our mother in a dark alley or if dogs barked at us. Now, when we feel temptations of the flesh, we should run to the side or Our Mother in Heaven, by realizing how close she is to us, and by means of our aspirations. She will defend us and lead us to the light” (The Furrow, point 847.) The custom of reciting three Hail Mary’s at bedtime is recommended to protect one’s purity. The following short prayer to Our Lady will help us flee dangerous situations.

 

We Fly to Your Patronage

 

We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities but deliver us from all dangers, O ever-glorious and blessed Virgin.

 

Recommended Reading:

 

The Mystical Rose, by John Henry Newman –

The following books by James B. Stenson:

Anchor – God’s Promises of Hope to Parents

Compass – A Handbook on Parent Leadership

Father, The Family Protector

Upbringing

All available from: www.scepterpublishers.org

 

Mary the Mother of God – Extraordinary Woman, Ordinary Life

Our Blessed Mother Mary is God’s most highly favored daughter, the most blessed among women for she was chosen from all women to be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We dare compare ourselves with such a perfect being. Yet, Our Lady lived an ordinary life like the other women of her day. St. Josemaria said: “ Mary most holy, Mother of God, passes unnoticed, just as one more among women of her town. Learn from her to live with “naturalness.” (The Way, #499)

 

The following passage from St. Josemaria Escriva’s Christ is Passing By, beautifully expresses the ordinary life of Our Lady: “We can't forget that Mary spent nearly every day of her life just like millions of other women who look after their family, bring up their children and take care of the house. Mary sanctifies the ordinary everyday things — what some people wrongly regard as unimportant and insignificant: everyday work, looking after those closest to you, visits to friends and relatives. What a blessed ordinariness, that can be so full of love of God!

For that's what explains Mary's life — her love. A complete love, so complete that she forgets herself and is happy just to be there where God wants her, fulfilling with care what God wants her to do. That is why even her slightest action is never routine or vain but, rather, full of meaning. Mary, our mother, is for us both an example and a way. We have to try to be like her, in the ordinary circumstances in which God wants us to live. If we act in this way, we give those around us the example of a simple and normal life which is consistent, even though it has all the limitations and defects which are part and parcel of the human condition. And when they see that we live the same life as they do, they will ask us: Why are you so happy? How do you manage to overcome selfishness and comfort-seeking? Who has taught you to understand others, to live well and to spend yourself in the service of others? Then we must disclose to them the divine secret of christian existence. We must speak to them about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, Mary. The time has come for us to use our poor words to communicate the depth of God's love which grace has poured into our souls.”

 

Consider these words from Mary of Nazareth by Frederico Suarez. “It is encouraging for us to know our Lady achieved her incomparable sanctity through these small, everyday actions. All our life, so ordinary, so monotonous, made up of little joys and unimportant sorrows, of commonplace occupations and happenings can become something very great if we do everything for love, with enthusiasm and trying for perfection.”

 

Our Lady truly was an extraordinary woman who lived an ordinary life. Each day we should try to emulate her virtue. The following “little prayers”, known as aspirations are a simple way of maintaining close contact with our Blessed Lady throughout our day.

 

SOME ASPIRATIONS TO OUR LADY

 

Holy Mary, our hope handmaid of the Lord, pray for us

*

Holy Mary, our hope, seat of wisdom, pray for us

*

Holy Mary, star of the sea, help your children

*

Mother of fair love, help your children

*

Queen of Apostles, pray for us

*

Show that you are our mother

*

Sweet Heart of Mary, prepare a safe way for us

 

 

Recommended Reading:

Mary of Nazareth, by Frederico Suarez, Scepter Publishers, www.scepterpublishers.org

 

Mary the Mother of God – Blessed is the Fruit of Your Womb

Our Lady, after learning of the Angel Gabriel’s news that she was to become the mother of God, went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth, as she too was with child. St. Josemaria said, “Turn your eyes towards the Blessed Virgin and see how she practices the virtue of loyalty. When Elizabeth needs her, the Gospel says that she went joyfully making haste. Learn from her!” (The Furrow, #371, St. Josemaria Escriva) Her first thoughts were of her cousin and her condition; her own news she humbly pondered in her heart. As soon as she entered Elizabeth’s house the Holy Spirit stirred the soul of St. John the Baptist causing him to leap for joy in his mother’s womb. At that precise moment St. John was cleansed of original sin, and his mother Elizabeth, also filled with the Holy Spirit, knew without a word from Our Lady, that she was in the presence of the Lord Himself. She proclaimed “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?” (Luke 1: 42-43) How very beautiful that the Holy Spirit chose the unborn babe in Elizabeth’s womb to be the catalyst that moved her to announce the news of Our Lady’s divine motherhood. Thus the feast of Our Lady’s visitation to Elizabeth became a celebration of rejoicing for she brought great joy to Elizabeth that day. Our Lady’s heart too was filled with joy as she poured out her deep gratitude to God the Father in the Magnificat. 

 

MAGNIFICAT

 

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, and 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 has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

 

Recommended Reading:

Mother of the Redeemer – Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II, 1987

Mary the Mother of God – The Holy Rosary

When we consider the many devotions to our Blessed Mother, the most beautiful prayer we can offer her is the Holy Rosary. This devotion is very powerful when prayed with love.  The following words from the Holy Rosary by the founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaria Escriva, inspire in us a deeper love for Our Lady and Our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

“These lines are not written for "little women." —They are written for full-grown men, and very... manly men, who at times, no doubt, have raised their hearts to God, crying out to Him with the Psalmist: Notam fac mihi viam, in qua ambulem; quia ad te levavi animam meam. —Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to Thee (Ps 142:8).

I must tell these men a secret that may very well be the beginning of the way that Christ wants them to follow. My friend, if you want to be great, become little. To be little it is necessary to believe as children believe, to love as children love, to give yourself up as children give themselves up... to pray as children pray. And all of this is necessary to accomplish what I am going to reveal to you in these lines: The beginning of the way, at the end of which you will find yourself completely carried away with love for Jesus, is a confident love for Mary.

—Do you want to love Our Lady? —Well, get to know her. How? —By praying her Rosary well, But, in the Rosary... we always say the same things! —Always the same? And don't those who are in love always say the same things to each other?... Could it not be that there is monotony in your Rosary because, instead of pronouncing words like a man, you emit sounds like an animal, while your mind is very far from God? —Moreover, listen: before each decade we are told the mystery to be contemplated.

—Have you... ever contemplated these mysteries? Become little. Come with me and —this is the essence of what I have to confide— we will live the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Each day we will render them a new service. We will hear their family conversations. We will see the Messiah grow up. We will admire His thirty years of hidden life... We will be present at His Passion and Death... We will be awed by the Glory of His Resurrection... In a word: we will contemplate, carried away with Love (the only real love is Love), each and every instant of Christ Jesus.”

 

How to Pray The Holy Rosary –

-       Recite the Apostles’ Creed

-       Pray the Our Father

-       Pray 3 Hail Mary’s

-       Pray the Glory Be

-       For each of the five mysteries pray the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s and a Glory Be

-       At the conclusion of the 5^th mystery pray the Hail, Holy Queen

 

The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries

1.     The Annunciation of Our Lady

2.     The Visitation of Our Lady to Elizabeth

3.     The Birth of Our Lord

4.     The Presentation of Jesus

5.     The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

 

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan

2. The Wedding Feast at Cana

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom

4. The Transfiguration

5. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist

 

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony in the Garden

2. The Scourging at the Pillar

3. The Crowning with Thorns

4. The Carrying of the Cross

5. The Crucifixion

 

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection of Our Lord

2. The Ascension into Heaven

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

4. The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven

5. The Coronation of Our Lady in Heaven

 

Recommended Reading

Holy Rosary by St. Josemaria Escriva, Scepter Publishers – www.scepterpublishers.org

Mary the Mother of God – Full of Grace

We can imagine the scene when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and delivered the message from God asking her to become the mother of Christ. We can appreciate the thoughts that whirled through her mind, as this young girl of 13 did not know man. Mary did not need to ponder this question long for there was only one answer - to do the Will of her Heavenly Father. Our Blessed Lady with a heart full of faith, trust, and love gave her fiat, and through the power of the Holy Spirit became the virginal mother of Jesus, the Son of God. In that moment of the Annunciation, Mary, who was full of grace, knew her life would be changed forever, yet she was filled with peace. We hope and pray that whenever Our Lord asks anything of us, however challenging or “humanly impossible” it may seem, that we will have the trust and fortitude, the spiritual strength, to respond as Our Lady did with a fiat, “be it done unto me according to thy word.” St. Josemaria, the Founder of Opus Dei said, “Before, by yourself, you couldn’t. Now, you’ve turned to our Lady, and with her, how easy!” (The Way, point 513.) The praying of the Angelus at noontime will help us remain close to our Heavenly Mother throughout our day.

 

THE ANGELUS

 

V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary;

R. and she conceived by the Holy Spirit

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to your word.

Hail Mary…

V. And the Word was made flesh,

R. and dwelt among us.

Hail Mary…

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Pour forth we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord.

R. Amen

 

Recommended reading:  

The Way, Chapter: Our Lady, St. Josemaria Escriva

The Way, Furrow and Forge  - various points, St. Josemaria Escriva

In Conversation with God, Book 7 – Immaculate Conception Novena

All available from Scepter Publishers: www.scepterpublishers.org