The exchange between Mary and the Angel Gabriel inspires us to respond to God with a full and open heart. May it be done! Fiat!
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
Tag Archives: Mary
4th Sunday of Advent: Mary and the Angel Gabriel.
Study: Recall a time when you had to make an important choice. What helped you?
Pray: Do you have a critical decision to make right now? Ask the Lord for guidance.
Serve: How can you assist someone who is facing a crucial situation? How can you offer support?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
We often think of angels as something out of a Precious Moments collection: cute, sweet and gentle. Yet the image we see in the Scriptures is often startling and overwhelming…after all, angels are always saying “Be not afraid!” when they show up.
Gabriel greets Mary and reveals the astonishing news of God’s plan for our salvation: Mary will be the mother of God as the Holy Spirit conceives a child in her womb. This is how the savior of humanity will enter into the world, taking on our likeness in all things but sin.
But note this: Mary had to respond. Although she was specifically chosen by God and prepared to become the mother of the messiah, she still had to give her consent. Her freedom to choose was essential in the plan of salvation. Why? Because the Almighty has not created us to be robotic slaves but free souls, souls that seek to grow in wisdom, courage and love.
God initiates the action, but he does not force us to act. Rather, the Lord invites us to respond so that we will grow, becoming more and more the persons we were meant to be.
This Christmas consider what the Lord is inviting you to do. Reflect on how God is working in your life and how you are being prompted to develop your life in new and powerful ways. Say yes to Jesus Christ, and see how the Lord will change your heart to become like his.
Note: This post was first published on December 18, 2017.
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Mary, Mother of the Church. Catholic Inspiration
This feast day, which always falls on the Monday after Pentecost, recalls the crucial role that Mary plays in salvation history as both Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
Mass Readings – Mary, the Mother of the Church
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Mary, the Mother of God. Catholic Inspiration
As we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God, we acknowledge that she is also our Mother. Given to us by Christ, we claim this relationship every time we affirm our faith in her Son.
Mass Readings – Mary, the Mother of God
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Note: I took this picture of the icon of Mary and Jesus in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem during my pilgrimage to the Holy Land last month.
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The Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph
Study: Recall a time when you were particular grateful for the gift of your family. What made the difference?
Pray: Reflect on the needs of your family. Thank the Lord for your blessings and offer your petitions for their needs.
Serve: How can you help someone in your family right now?
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Big or small, far-flung or close to home…we all come from a family. Sometimes our families are in better/worse places, depending on emotions, finances, relationships, illness, death, and a multitude of challenges and blessings that life can throw our way.
And while no family is perfect, every family provides opportunities for us to grow. Whether it is getting along, practicing forgiveness, being patient, working together, or dealing with the idiosyncrasies that are part of every human group…there is no place like family for teaching us lessons that are part of our journey to become the best version of ourselves.
The Holy Family faced plenty of blessings and burdens. Here are a few of the blessings:
- Encounters with the angel Gabriel
- Choirs of angels singing and rejoicing
- Visits from distant Magi and nearby shepherds
- The brilliant light of the Star as a sign from God
But, then, there are some real burdens:
- Explaining Mary’s pregnancy (before marriage to Joseph)
- Fleeing for their lives from King Herod’s soldiers
- Refugees in Egypt – far from family
- And one day…Mary will stand before the Cross of Jesus
Clearly, this family is unlike any other; yet together they faced situations that are similar to many even today. They knew what it was like to be grateful for what they had, and they knew what it was like to face suffering and pain.
But there’s two points I want us to hold close:
- They did it together
- God was with them
What’s true for the Holy Family is true for our families! We have opportunities to work together, cooperating and uniting to strengthen the bonds within our families – and when we face challenges we call upon the Lord to give us the grace and strength we need to put faith into family, hope into our homes, and love into our lives.
May this season give us plenty of opportunities to work together with God’s grace in our families – the place where we have been located by the Lord to practice our “homework for holiness” as we journey through this life.
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Note: This post was first published on December 25, 2014.
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Daily Mass: Recognizing the Lord in our lives. Catholic Inspiration
Elizabeth was aware of God’s presence through both the baby in her womb and the woman at her door. May we actively seek the Lord’s presence in our lives…so that we are ready when we returns!
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Daily Mass: Mary teaches us how to respond to the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel offers us a powerful example of discipleship as she says “May it be done!” Her words inspire us to accept the Lord’s invitation today as we carry out our tasks in service of Jesus.
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The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholic Inspiration
On this feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary we see her swift response – in word and action – to God’s call for her life. Mary example inspires us to do the same as we proclaim the greatness of the Lord in our lives.
Mass Readings – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholic Inspiration
Mary’s offers a proclamation of praise in her Magnificat, as she glorifies God and offers thanks for the blessings she has received. May we echo her words as we call to mind in our prayer and daily practice how the Lord has touched our hearts and fostered our faith.
Mass Readings – Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Mary, Mother of God. Catholic Inspiration
She is the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. May the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary strengthen our desire to offer our hearts in loving service to her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Mary, the Mother of God
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- 4th Sunday of Advent: Our faith gives strength to our lives
- Daily Mass: Let the Lord enter!
- Daily Mass: We receive the Good News in our hearts
- Daily Mass: We strive for God's justice and peace
- Daily Mass: The family tree of Jesus as told by Matthew
- Daily Mass: Christ invites us to do the Father's will
- Daily Mass: Teach me your ways, O Lord
- Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Advent
- 3rd Sunday of Advent: Christ fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah
- Daily Mass: Lord make us turn to you
Three Great Things 