Tag: Blessed Virgin Mary

Parable of the Lost Sheep | Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice. The Lord our God comes with power.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:12-14)

Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

In the familiar Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus sets an example for the disciples to seek out the sheep that go astray and bring back what was lost with great joy. By asking the opinion of the disciples, and all who hear him, the hypothetical question engages the missionary muscle of the disciples and puts them in the place of their master and teacher. In doing as the Good Shepherd does, the disciples follow God’s will and act through his grace so that not one of these little ones will be lost.

God, help me understand the compassion of Jesus in seeking out the lost sheep. It is both a glimpse into your infinite mercy and example of how to care for others who stray from you, “the little ones.” Isaiah describes the same shepherd who comes to rule us with tenderness and strength: “Here is your God! . . . Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Go and do likewise.” | Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

From the responsorial psalm: “The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts, Reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 10:25-37)

“Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus is asked by a scholar of the law, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” In response, Jesus asks him what is in the law and how he reads it. The scholar answers that it is to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. The scholar then presses further by asking, “And who is my neighbor?” In response, Jesus shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In telling it, Jesus teaches the scholar—and all of us—that a neighbor is one to whom we have the willingness to show compassion and mercy. Jesus asks the scholar a question that sends us out to be compassionate toward others. Out of love for eternal life with the Father, Jesus tells him, “Go and do likewise.” O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:26-38)

And coming to the virgin Mary, the angel Gabriel said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.”

Mary responds in at least three ways when the angel Gabriel comes to her. She is troubled that he should say she is full of grace and that the Lord is with her. Next, she asks Gabriel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And before he suddenly departs, she says, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” The three responses offer insights into the spiritual life of Mary. First, she showed humility in her response to being called full of grace, that the Lord was with her. There is also her ability to dwell on and discern how God works in her and through her. Second, she questions how she will conceive, eliminating human intervention and allowing Gabriel to tell her how this will happen: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Finally, without a moment to process what any of this means, she says yes to God. Mary shows us the way to humility, reason and discernment in understanding God’s will, and cooperation with his grace. Above all, as the Mother of God she shows us the way to her Son.

God, in Mary’s encounter with the angel, I see a kind of clarity in Mary’s communication with him that I am likely never to experience in my life. Yet, because Mary was conceived without original sin, she had no inclination toward it that would obstruct her view of your will. In perfect clarity, Gabriel communicated her role in salvation history, and in a state of perfect grace, Mary said yes to your holy will. Lord, give me the grace to remove the barriers that prevent me from hearing you and knowing your will. Once understanding it, help me follow through in cooperating with every good gift of yours that is meant to be shared.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.” Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 19:23-30)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Having just spoken to the wealthy young man, Jesus then turns to his disciples and tells them how hard it is for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Peter tells Jesus that they have given up everything to follow him. “What will there be for us?” he asks Jesus. To Peter and the disciples Jesus says that when he sits on his throne of glory in the world to come, they also will sit on twelve thrones. To anyone who detaches from the things of this world and selflessly follows him, Jesus says they “will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”

God, help me understand the words of Jesus. Being a disciple means putting myself behind others in a life dedicated to service for the sake of your name. What is impossible for me you make possible from your very being, the source of all good. Help me put in right relationship to you the things of this world. Rather than seeking to attain as much as I believe I need in a given week or month or year, instead teach me to trust you for what I need. Help me see the actual value of wealth and material possessions so that I can use them justly for the good of all.

From the responsorial psalm: “I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people, and to his faithful ones, and to those who put in him their hope.” Mary, Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

And Mary said: “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.”

In today’s Gospel, Mary visits Elizabeth, traveling in haste to Judah. Taking place immediately after the annunciation, the exchange between Mary and her cousin upon greeting each other reflects the action and presence of the Holy Spirit within them. Prompted by the Holy Spirit to cry out loudly, Elizabeth declares Mary’s blessedness. “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Mary’s response, her Magnificat, rejoices in God and gives glory to his holiness: “the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.” Mary continues praising God for fulfilling his promises of justice and mercy and goodness: “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.”

God, help me comprehend what the Visitation means, in my life and in the life of the Church, for bringing all of your promises to fulfillment. Help me understand that through Jesus your Son, mercy itself dwelt among us. Through his birth, death, and resurrection, he continuously brings to all who believe in him the hope of the resurrection. Mary, the first disciple of Christ, held that hope within her from the moment Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Blessed are you who believed,” Elizabeth said to Mary, “that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Lord, help me recall throughout the day that the same Holy Spirit whose work Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced in continues to work this very day in my life and in the lives of those I encounter. Give me the grace to see your will for me as I call to mind the great things you have done for me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

**Announcement: Please join me in praying a novena to Saint Anthony from June 5 to June 13. I’ll return to daily Gospel reflections on June 14.**

The Octave Day of Christmas Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Today’s Gospel reading follows the passage that describes the appearance of an angel of the Lord to the shepherds. The angel found them keeping watch over their flock and told them: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” The angel told them that a sign for them would be that of finding Jesus in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Luke says that all at once there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on who his favor rests.” The shepherds went in haste to find Jesus and told Mary the message of the angel. And Luke tells us Mary’s response: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” The shepherds then returned, glorifying and praising God for what they had heard and seen. This Advent and Christmas, I have also been a witness to these things. Now, how do I keep all these things, and what is the way to go about sharing the joy of this message?

God, through the Blessed Virgin Mary—through her yes—marvelous wonders from heaven have been brought to earth. At the announcement of an angel, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared in the sky and gave you the highest praise and glory, “and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” In the first reading, we see this same peace that God bestowed on the Israelites when he said to Moses: “The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!” Give me the grace, Lord, to know and receive your blessing.

The shepherds made known the message to Mary. Merciful Lord, be with me today to make me a messenger of your peace and mercy. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Let me remember the words of the psalmist: “May God bless us in his mercy.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings