Tag: mary

“But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them.” | Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek. The LORD said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.'”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:18-22)

Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.”

A day after we hear John’s account of the Wedding at Cana, today’s Gospel again presents Jesus as the bridegroom who delights in the guests at the wedding banquet. As long as Jesus is physically present, joy and fulfillment are given in abundance. But a time will come when he is “taken way” during his passion and death; then there will be fasting in the sorrow of his absence. The two parables Jesus shares—the new patch on the old garment and new wine poured into old wineskins—illustrate the new reality Jesus brings in his presence. The New Covenant cannot simply be imposed on or confined by the ways of the old covenant. The joy of the New Covenant is in Christ himself and the Church he establishes through perfect obedience to the Father.

God, help me participate fully in the joy and new life Jesus brings as your bridegroom. Strengthen my faith, especially in times of sorrow and guide me to live in the fullness of joy that comes from following Jesus Christ your Son. As Saint Paul says, “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” By his example and through your grace, guide me in knowing and doing your will.

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.

“You have kept the good wine until now.” | Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 2:1-11)

And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from—although the servers who had drawn the water knew —, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.”

John relates the account of the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performs his first miracle in his public ministry by turning water into wine. The transformation of water into wine immediately reveals the divine nature and authority of Jesus as the Son of God. In the midst of the wedding feast, wine running out would quickly bring the celebration to an end and the guests to a state of desolation. Jesus not only changes water into inferior wine but instead makes it the choicest wine, symbolizing the surpassing joy God takes in his people, as we hear in Isaiah: “No more shall people call you ‘Forsaken,’ or your land ‘Desolate,’ but you shall be called ‘My Delight,’ and your land ‘Espoused.'” In comprehending what the first of Jesus’ miraculous signs means for us in the midst of the day, what Mary says to the servants, she also says to us: “Do whatever he tells you.”

God, you are in my midst today, continually pouring out your gifts through the sacraments and in the people you place before me. Help me see your superabundant grace in the different spiritual gifts given by the same Spirit. Through Jesus Christ your Son at the Wedding of Cana, you delighted in your people and rejoiced as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride. In perfectly accomplishing your will, Jesus is truly present every day at every Mass as bread and wine is changed into the Body and Blood of your Son. Help me be attentive to his will; in hearing him, help me follow Mary’s example of obedience to your Son and to the Son of Mary: “Do whatever he tells you.”

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.

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.” | Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:13-17)

Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) to follow him. Matthew invites Jesus to dine at his house along with many tax collectors and sinners. When the Scribes and Pharisees see them dining together, they are critical of Jesus, questioning why he would eat with sinners. After Jesus hears their remarks, his response reveals the purpose of his mission and how he came to choose Matthew as one of the apostles: the sick need the Divine Physician, and Jesus calls sinners to him. Saint Paul recognizes the dependence we have on the grace and mercy Jesus offers when he says, “No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.”

Father in heaven, help me now and throughout the day receive your grace through Jesus Christ your Son. Let the words of Saint Paul remind me what it means to respond as Saint Matthew did on hearing the words “Follow me.” It means that in approaching the throne of grace, I have the sympathy and compassion of Jesus. Give me the grace to do as Paul urges in saying, “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the Divine Physician, show me the way to your Son. 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.

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

From the responsorial psalm: “May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. May God bless us in his mercy.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2:16-21)

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. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Luke describes what happens after the angel appears to the shepherds and says, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” In obedience to the angel’s message, the shepherds travel in haste to Bethlehem to find Jesus. As they share with Mary and Joseph what happened, Luke tells us that Mary kept all these things and reflected on them in her heart. After the shepherds return home, they continue to witness to the birth of Jesus Our Savior, glorifying and praising God. Instructed by an angel, the shepherds leave home on a holy pilgrimage to encounter Christ; they return home as witnesses to others of the glory of God and the birth of the Messiah. In the celebration of Christmas, Jesus invites us to find him in Scripture, in service to others, and especially in the Eucharist, where he remains present—body and blood, soul and divinity, as the risen Christ.

God, you always keep your promises; strengthen my trust in you. Through the message of an angel, the shepherds were instructed to go and find Jesus. They found him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, just as the angel told them. Also in today’s Gospel, Luke tells us that at his circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel at the Annunciation. As Mary did, help me keep these revelations and reflect on them in my heart. You bless and speak in hearts who desire to hear you, yet your voice is unmistakable in your ultimate Word, Jesus Christ. As the Gospel acclamation says, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” Mary, Mother of God, 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.

“And how does this happen to me?” | Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today’s antiphon: O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! (Isaiah 9:5; 2:4)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:39-45)

“Blessed are you among women,  and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

At the Visitation, Elizabeth responds to Mary’s greeting with these words and with a question. She tells Mary that at the sound of her greeting, the infant John leaped in her womb. And then she asks a question, which is direct and at the same time full of meditation and wonder. Elizabeth is undoubtedly one of the first to ponder how it is that the Blessed Virgin, the mother of the Lord, would come to her. In pondering, she recognizes that Mary’s visit is a grace she receives, that it happens to her. Mary brings the grace and blessing of Christ to Elizabeth, to the infant John, and to the house of Zechariah. She does the same for us as we ask for her to intercede for us as the Mother of God, whose soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and brings us always to her son and our savior.

God, help me prepare for the birth of Jesus in the example of Mary and Elizabeth. Mary brought the grace of the infant Christ to Elizabeth and John. Elizabeth responded in wonder that the mother of her Lord should come to her, rejoicing with youthful exuberance at the visit of Jesus and Mary. The Advents and Christmases of past years have led me to certain expectations and old habits, ways of doing things. Let that change. As I take in the Visitation, grant me a good measure of the overwhelming jubilation that Mary and Elizabeth experienced in the nearness of Jesus, present within Mary and brought to the whole world through the Immaculate Conception and in the nativity of Jesus.

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.

“Blessed are you who believed.” | Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Today’s antiphon: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. (Isaiah 9:1)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:39-45)

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Luke narrates Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth after the Annunciation. It reveals the significance of Mary’s pregnancy and Elizabeth’s recognition of Jesus’ divine role even before his birth. Mary travels to visit Elizabeth in haste, expressing the level of joy she must have felt in the angel Gabriel’s message and the fulfillment of it in her pregnancy. In responding to Mary’s greeting, Luke tells us that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice, “Most blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Mary exudes the joy of faith in the Lord; Elizabeth affirms it, saying “Blessed are you who believed.” From these two faithful women, God’s tender compassion begins to break through darkness and the shadow of death, a dawn from on high that will illuminate the entire world.

God, by my faith and in my participation of the sacraments, help me be a means of bringing Christ to others. Mary visited Elizabeth, bearing your Son with overwhelming joy. Through fervent participation in my faith, help me know and share the same joy in carrying within me the Incarnate Word. In the Song of Songs is a kind of irony reflecting your mastery over nature, that in the dead of winter and at the longest night, the readings speak of new light that dawns from on high, bringing the peace that only Christ gives: “For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land.” Splendor of eternal light, shine on us and on the whole world.

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.

“Hail, full of grace!” | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the LORD God, the creator of heaven and earth. You are the highest honor of our race.”

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

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.”

When the angel Gabriel visits Mary, she has been from the moment of her conception, full of grace. Mary is troubled to receive the message that she will bear a son, that she will name Jesus, and that he will be called Son of the Most High. A virgin, Mary questions how this can be, and Gabriel explains to her that the power of the Most High will overshadow her. In Mary’s fiat, accepting God’s will without fully understanding how his overshadowing will unfold, we have an example of one who is full of Grace and accepts God’s will, letting it be done according to his word. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Mother, said this to Juan Diego and comes to all of us through his account of the apparitions: “Hear me and understand well, my little son, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother?”

God, help me trust you through the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Troubles come, troubling events unfold. Yet, Mary shows me how to respond to all the troubles the world can mount upon me in full force. Because she trusts in you and is completely obedient to your will, she is confident in your love and able to say, “Let not your heart be disturbed.” And so that I can ask her to intercede for me in full confidence, who does Mary say that she is? In her words, she is “in person, the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God.” Our Lady of Guadalupe, 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.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“There is need of only one thing.” | Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “O LORD, you have probed me and you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 10:38-42)

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

As Jesus spends time in the home of Martha and Mary, he sees in them two ways to respond to his presence. Martha actively goes out to meet him and bring him to their home. Mary sits at the feet of the Lord listening to everything he teaches her. Trying her best to please the Lord in service to him without the help of her sister, Martha finally speaks up. Her words, “Lord, do you not care” and “Tell her to help me,” speak to her spiritual state. In responding to Martha, Jesus as Divine Physician not only diagnoses Martha but also gives her the means to obtain peace in his very presence. God did not create us to be anxious and worried; instead, he desires peace for us through the presence of Jesus Christ his Son.

God, just as Martha went out to welcome Jesus, let me use the gift of time to go out and welcome you throughout the day and to serve you. Left to myself, as Martha felt, I am likely to become quickly overrun by anxiety about how well I perform according to my own standards. Like Mary, give me the grace today to sit at your feet and to hear and do your will and choose the better part even as I am attentive to serving you. There is need of only one thing; let me remember to choose you. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way!

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.

The Mother and Brothers of Jesus. | Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 8:19-21)

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

In yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus describes the word of God as light. Today, Luke sets a scene in which Mary and the family members of Jesus stand outside, desiring to see him. As much as the word of God illuminates darkness, obedience to it reveals a new claim to the meaning of family in a relationship with the Father that extends beyond human ties. To live in accordance with God’s will is not to diminish the place of family on earth but to raise the standard of discipleship and to honor first the kingdom of God. Goodness will follow. “But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness,” Jesus says in Matthew, “and all these things will be given you besides.”

God, help me understand that my place within my human family loses nothing by hearing and acting on your word. It is a way through faith that transcends human definitions of kinship. Mary and the family of Jesus naturally wanted to see him to care for him and look after his well-being. Instead, your Son showed them that by being obedient to you, he had food to sustain himself that they didn’t know about. Of all people, Mary would have known the source of this food, which Jesus brings to light to all who look to him. Blessed are those, Lord, who hear your word and observe it!

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 Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From the Gospel acclamation: “Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 13:18-23)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Jesus explains to the disciples the meaning of the Parable of the Sower. For each type of soil the word falls on, Jesus says that it is heard. Four times Jesus repeats the phrase “the one who hears the word.” What happens to it after it is heard—the receptivity to it and placement of it—makes all the difference. As the word is sown among the broad and well-trod paths, lack of understanding leaves it vulnerable to the Evil One taking it away. If the condition of the soul is not prepared to receive it, the joy in hearing it doesn’t take root and falls away or is choked in the entanglements of anxious daily life and lured to other pursuits. But to those who both hear and understand, Jesus tells us, the fruit it bears “yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

God, help me ponder throughout the day how the word fell among the family of Joachim, Anne, and Mary. Conceived without sin, Mary first received your word from her parents, who would have marveled at her receptivity and care of it. The Evil One could not take from her what she understood, being immaculately conceived and without the distortions to faith and reason that sin subjects the soul to. Witnesses to the joy that took root in Mary, her parents would have seen how joy and fidelity persisted through the incarnation and all the way through the passion, death, and resurrection of her Son. Because of her perfect humility, worldly anxiety and the lure of riches could not touch her. Mary is the example to every soul who prepares rich soil for the seed to take root, grow, and bear fruit to give witness to you, Lord—to proclaim your greatness to all generations. Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us! 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.