“There can be no doubt that the Virgin Mary is in heaven. How it happened we do not know.”
Martin Luther
O Mary, “full of grace and blessed among women,”
stretch out the hand of your motherly protection,
we ask you, upon us who gather round
your queenly throne as your handmaidens,
obedient to your command
and resolved with your help
to bring to realization in ourselves and our sisters
the ideals of truth and Christian perfection.
Our eyes are fixed on you in admiration, immaculate Virgin;
you who are loved by the Heavenly Father above all others!
O Virgin Spouse of the Holy Spirit!
Tender Mother of Jesus!
Obtain for us from your Divine Son
the grace to reflect your sublime virtues in our conduct,
according to our age and condition of life.
Grant that we may be spotless and pure
in our thoughts and in our behavior;
gentle, affectionate,
and sympathetic companions to our husbands;
to our children solicitous,
vigilant and wise mothers;
prudent administrators of our homes;
exemplary citizens of our dear country;
faithful daughters of the Church,
ever ready to allow ourselves to be guided
by her in thought and deed.
Help us, loving Mother,
to be truly devoted to the duties of our state of life;
help us make our homes true centers
of spiritual life and active charity,
schools where consciences will be rightly formed,
gardens where every virtue will flourish.
Give us your help that in social and political life
we may be patterns of deep faith,
of consistent and gracious Christian practice,
of incorruptible integrity,
and of well-balance judgment
based upon the solid principles of religion.
Bless these our resolutions
which you have inspired us to make
and the trials you have helped us to bear;
may we with your aid come to see
their abundant fruits in time and in eternity.
Amen.
That of those
born of a woman
JOHN THE BAPTIST
WAS THE GREATEST ON EARTH.
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
46While he was still speaking to the people, behold,(BR) his mother and his(BS) brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.[a] 48But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50For(BT) whoever(BU) does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." ESV
Obedience Is Thicker than Blood 46-47While he was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers showed up. They were outside trying to get a message to him. Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and brothers are out here, wanting to speak with you." 48-50Jesus didn't respond directly, but said, "Who do you think my mother and brothers are?" He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. "Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father's will is my brother and sister and mother." THE MESSAGE
The True Family of Jesus 46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 47 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you.”[g] 48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”--NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
. . . obviously, other than Christ Himself . . .
I guess y'all think Mary was hatched under a sacred rock--in Rome?
Some people think yelling makes them more important. Lovely posts, btw.
John 19:25-27 (King James Version)
25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.