Posted on 12/11/2014 7:35:44 PM PST by Salvation
“God Is with You” |
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December 12, 2014. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe |
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Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he 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. Introductory Prayer: Lord, I know by faith that these are some of the most important moments of my day. I freely open my mind, heart and will for you to do as you please, because I know you can desire and do only what is good for me. I know that you will give me the grace to do whatever you ask of me and that you will always accompany me. That is enough for me. Petition: Lord, give me the grace to do your holy will. 1. Pleasing God through the Small, Daily Tasks: The angel Gabriel finds Mary doing nothing extraordinary, but rather doing ordinary tasks like washing clothes, sweeping, getting water, doing the same daily prayer as every devout Jew. But in doing the ordinary she is doing what is pleasing to God. Her example should be our guide. Work can be an ordinary means of holiness. Man, as Pope Saint John Paul II said, “not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also achieves fulfillment as a human being and indeed, in a sense, becomes ‘more a human being’” (Laborem Exercens, no. 9). We please God when we do our duties, fulfill our responsibilities, work to meet our basic needs. While we may not be doing something extraordinary at every moment, we still praise and glorify God when we undertake the ordinary with love. If an angel were to come looking for me, would he find me doing my daily tasks lovingly? 2. “Do Not Be Afraid!” Mary “was greatly troubled and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” When God presents us with his plan, we too might be afraid. We may not fully understand what he has in mind. It can seem that his plan is too great for us. But when God wants something from us, he shows us that it is not beyond our reach. As with Mary at the Incarnation, God will make it happen and will provide all the grace necessary for its completion. 3. “May It Be Done to Me According to Your Word.” When Gabriel clarifies Mary’s mission and illustrates that with God all things are possible, Mary makes an act of faith. Her act of faith is what the Second Vatican Council terms the ‘obedience of faith’. The obedience of faith “is to be given to God who reveals, an obedience by which man commits his whole self freely to God, offering the full submission of intellect and will to God who reveals, and freely assenting to the truth revealed by Him” (Dei Verbum, 5). God supplied Mary with his grace and did not abandon her; nor will he abandon us. When we do what God wants and cooperate with his plan, he will support us. He will accompany us as we carry out his will and bring his plan to fulfillment. God’s will is our holiness, and when we do his will we help God to make us saints. Conversation with Mary: Mary, teach me how to do God’s will as you did, so that I can remain in his company. I want to do his will, even though at times I know that it may seem difficult or impossible. Ask your son for the grace of perseverance for me so that I, too, may cooperate with the Lord, whether he is asking something of me that is ordinary or extraordinary. Resolution: In a difficult situation, I will pray a “Hail Mary,” asking Mary for help in being faithful. |
December 12, 2014
To be chosen by God to carry our His plans is a tremendous privilege and responsibility. There is no prerequisite to being picked, only complete faith in Him. He did not choose an earthly queen or an aristocratic woman to be the vessel of salvation. He chose a humble young virgin who burned with hope and trust in His promises.
When God chooses someone to do His will, He showers awesome grace and joy on those who say “yes” and put their trust in Him. Mary was full of this grace and joy, which is why Elizabeth and the child in her womb knew at once that the Savior was with her. She believed and the Lord filled her with the Holy Spirit – a gift to know and experience the presence of God. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns within each of us.
Do you live in the joy and knowledge of God’s presence in you through the Holy Spirit? As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, ask the
Holy Spirit to come into your heart that you may feel and experience the presence of God in your life today.
‘Come Holy Spirit, I need you. Come, Holy Spirit, I pray. Come with your strength and your power. Come in your own special way.’
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Spiritual Adoption Prayer for the Unborn
Jesus, Mary, Joseph I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of the unborn child that I have spiritually adopted.
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
I thank God for you, every day, dear Mother, and adore the Unborn Jesus within your womb. Blessed are you, for you are truly the Mother of God, and our Mother! Thank you for your "Fiat", your "Yes," to allow the Holy Spirit to bring Our Lord Jesus, into the world: Eve used her free will in disobedience to God; you used your free will to serve God! Yes, blessed are you among women; among all creation, for to you will be born the Son of God and our Savior! May all mankind come to love you, even as did Jesus- for we are all your children!
"For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, none will suffice,"
Not useless at all, but very significant! Thank you for that info and God bless you!
You know what? I have the one by José Féliciano, and i play it all year round! How did you know! : )
Our Lady of Guadalupe is so special to me! The more I learn, the more I love her!
God bless you!
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