Hail, 'Full of Grace.'

Today’s woman thinks everything must be about her. She will not take no for an answer. She will not let a man belittle her. A feminist view point is it's my life and I will do with it what I want. Nobody has a say, no matter what the issue is. Feminism is arrogance and self-absorbed and quite the opposite of the utter humility and submission of Mary.

When I was led to write on Mary, it was simply because of all the things we hear on Women these days. It’s not smoking or drinking that makes one look cool. If one is born to be a woman one can’t pretend to be a man and then talk of women power. 

We should have a heart like Mary, who was open and obedient to all that God asked of her. God desires an obedient heart.

“Do I desire to do His will, or do I look for a compromise because I’m afraid of God’s will?”

•  We need to pray to know God’s will,
• Then we need to pray for the desire to do it, and then
• We must pray to follow it. To carry out His will is not easy.

Mary did the will of God in everything irrespective of the conditions. God chose Mary-a simple girl to be the Mother of-The Son of God-Jesus. Mary-The Queen of Heaven. 

Everybody wants to be successful, there are always 2 ways to it. One where you can try almost anything to reach where you want to and the other choose the will of God. Which means you have to be patient-no hurrying up, be joyful trusting in God always and have that attitude of thanksgiving and praise. When one does the will of God, one does not have to worry. Leave everything to God, never being anxious and God will get you there, not one minute early and not one second late.

Mary is a daughter, a wife, a mother and she maintained her roles perfectly. She never argued with St. Joseph and said, ‘Hey Joseph, you have to listen to me, I am the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God. You have no right to say anything on this matter since I bore Him.’ No such words. The Gospels say she was silent. She respected Joseph, her husband and was obedient to him. What a beautiful way to live - To Love, Honour and Obey.

When Jesus was lost at 12 in the temple and when they found Him after 3 days, Mary says, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” Luke 2:48 Today’s woman would have said, 'I looked out for you and I was so worried,' even though, both the parents were. Poor man has no say. He feels like an idiot standing there, but if he says something, the blame game starts and all hell breaks loose. Mary’s words indicate respect, more of honour. And it is so wonderful.  
      

To listen with the ear of the heart, is to become more aware of one’s surroundings. The word “listen” is emphasized in the transfiguration: “This is my beloved son . . . listen to him” Matthew 17:5; Luke 9:35; Mark 9:7

Mary, in the wedding feast of Cana, tells the servants to “do whatever he tells you” John 2:5

Jesus brings the ideas of listening and acting together. In the parable of the House built on two Foundations, Jesus speaks of a person who builds his house on a Rock-solid foundation as being someone who both listens and acts on His words. The person who does not act on His words is like someone who builds his house on a sand-weak foundation that is easily destroyed when a storm comes Luke 6:46-49 and Matthew 7:24-29

The heart is the seat of every emotion, thought and deed. Jesus says it is from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. It is in filling the heart with the word of God that places all the emotions, thoughts and actions under the influence of the word of God. Obedience to the Father was food for Jesus. When Jesus was tempted in the desert, He said, “One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

There are many things in life we will not understand. We should treasure them in our hearts, marvel at them and ponder them again and again. Mary meditated on every word and every event in her heart.
“Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart!” Luke 2:19. She sought to grasp their deep meaning, adhering within her soul to what was being mysteriously accomplished in them.

While Martha was distracted with household tasks, her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him Luke 10:38-42. Worship consists in listening to the Word of God in order to know it and put it into practice in daily life. Nearness to Jesus enables one to listen. When our hearts are filled with the Word of God we will experience joy.

Celebration of the mass at the Mount. Main Celebrant-Fr. Ashlyn and other Priests.

5^th August 2017, 1^st Saturday, Our Lady of Fatima.

Mass: Fr. Ashlyn

For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. LUKE 1:26-38 
(Gospel & Homily – celebration of the mass)
(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), Luke 2:35

Mary is calm and perseveres and is a channel of God’s mercy. Mary teaches people to hope in life’s darkest moments. Her motherly love and courage is seen at the foot of the cross, where she teaches us the virtue of waiting even when everything appears meaningless.

In Mary, the Word became flesh. Mary as our mother shows us that humility and tenderness are virtues of the strong.

Mary is not depressed with the uncertainties of life. Instead, she is a woman who listens.

Mary was conceived without original sin and so was truly full of grace. “Blessed are you among women.” Mary is the New Eve, who was grace filled from the moment of her existence. As the Woman and Offspring promised in Genesis 3, Mary crushed the head of the Serpent.

Mary is greeted with the title, Hail, “Full of Grace.” 

Jesus says, “whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”  And Mary did it perfectly. Doing God’s will, makes us become part of Jesus’ family; it makes us His mother, father, sister, brother.

Mary stood at the foot of the cross. None of us can say which was cruel, that of watching her only Son, the innocent man die on the Cross or the agony of a mother who accompanies her son in His final moments of life.

Mary was faithful to God’s divine plan but as a mother she suffers every time her child does.

Jesus, handing over His life by death on a Cross, He also handed over to us His Mother. He told Mary-here is your son (John); thus saying-here are your children. We have to learn from Mary, how to care for one another in the same way and with the same tenderness.

Mary presents her brave self. That must hurt-like a dagger pierced through her heart. Mary welcomes life as it presents itself.

Mary is a mighty intercessor. In difficult moments, May Mary, the mother that Jesus has given to us all, guide our steps. 

Mama Mary, keep us always under your mantle of protection.

The Marian Dogmas

• Divine Motherhood.
• Perpetual Virginity.
• Immaculate Conception.
•  Mary's Assumption to Heaven.

• ·        Coredemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate.

My Prayer to Mary

May we be like Mary and open our ears; to know how to listen to the Word of God; may we be open to listen to the reality in which we live, to every person we encounter, especially the poor, the people in need and in people who go through hardships.

May we be like Mary, to move “with haste” and in faith to bring the light of the Gospel to the world?

May Mary, illuminate our mind and our heart, to obey, unhesitatingly, to the Word of God. Amen.

Please click on the below links: to continue.

On PRIESTS...

On HUMILITY...