What a lovely journey I've taken during this lent! I have a wonderful tour guide in St. Louis de Montfort. He's brought me through the heights of my conceit, the valley of my selfishness and through the bog of my laziness. He brought me to a mirror where I was shown who I can be...a beautiful image that I yearn to become. God loves me so much; I am humbled and like a small child who knows that if they hold up their arms that their papa will pick them up and hold them close to their heart, I tuck myself into a small little bundle and fling myself into Mary's arms. She holds me tight, rocks me and hands me over to Jesus. Can there be greater bliss?
I am in Week Two: Knowledge of Mary. The captions reads;
Mary must be known and openly revealed by the Holy Spirit so that Jesus may be known and loved through her.-St, Louis de Montfort
The question today is; Christ goes so far as to share even his Mother with us so that she might be our Mother as well. What does it mean for you to have Mary as your Mother?
I am so struck today by the way that Jesus holds nothing back for himself. He gave us his body, his blood, he shares his divinity by offering us his Father as "Our Father" and he even shares his Mother with us from the cross. Total giving born of total love.
I know that we are all familiar with the natural little jealousies that happen between siblings in regards to their parents. When my kids were young and I was speaking to one of them, sometimes the other child would put her little hands on my face and turn my attention, literally, to them instead. That natural 'look at me!' instinct is strong and needs an act of detachment and love of another to be overcome.
No one knows Jesus' ways more than His dear Mama. We can learn so much from Mary who lived a hidden life with Jesus and is still by His side. As I give myself to Mary, I ask her to show me how to die to self so that Jesus can live through me. I ask Mary to show me how to give birth to Jesus in my heart. I ask her to keep me close so that I might not stray. I ask her to show me how to please Jesus. I ask her to help me be a true helpmate to my spouse and a loving mother to my children. It occurs to me that having Mary as my mother is the surest way to permanent union with God's family.
As my Mother, she introduces me to her other children, the saints that have gone before. She can send her children to us to teach us different lessons that we need to learn. How beautiful to learn contemplation form Teresa of Avila, or courage from Joan of Arc, or knowledge of scripture from St. Paul... She can help me on my journey sending her sons and daughters, my brothers and sisters in faith to me. As my earthly mother had my brothers and sisters help me in various ways; my brother taught me to ride a bike, my sister helped me with homework, my other sister would feed me when I was a baby, etc. our Mother Mary will likewise send helpers my way so that I stay on the narrow path. And of course, she will always point the way to THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE-JESUS!!
Dear Mother,
I put myself in your loving hands. Consider me your little child. Teach me Mother that I may learn the way to please Jesus. I too want to give birth to Him in my life...show me the way.
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