WE need to foster a deep devotion to Our Lady of the
Immaculate
Conception. I remember St. John Paul II saying of this doctrine about
the Immaculate Conception of our Lady: “This solemnly proclaimed
doctrine is expressly termed a 'doctrine revealed by God.' Whoever
does not make this doctrine his own, or maintains an opinion contrary
to it, 'is shipwrecked in faith' and 'separates himself from Catholic
unity.'”
Quite strong words, but definitely they have solid basis, for Mary is
the true icon of love. She is the one closest to God and to all of us.
She lived in perfection God's comandment to love God with all one's
might and to love one's neighbor as oneself. Her heart was completely
identified with the heart of God.
Not only is she the Mother of Christ, and therefore can be rightly
called as the Mother of God, since Christ is God. She is also truly
our Mother who cares for us the way she took care of Christ. She it is
who understood Christ the best. Her constant observation and pondering
in her heart what she saw in Christ is the perfect way we ought to
follow in relating ourselves to Christ.
She is actually present in all aspects of our life, since she
involves herself completely in our life, be it in the spiritual, moral
or material aspects. She is never indifferent to our conditions and
situations. She loves us with a human and supernatural heart, always
oozing with human affection as well as divine love.
She especially gives more attention and help to those who need them
more. Being a mother, she is not scandalized by our sins and dirt. She
will always understand us and is ready to help and clean us. There is
no dirt which she as a mother would not clean for us, her little
children, for that is how she will always regard us.
She is always around, especially during our difficulties. With all
the privileges given to her by God, she can always do that. And if
need be, she will make extraordinary interventions as when she makes
special apparitions to convey a certain urgent message. And with her,
things will always turn out well, since God cannot refuse her pleas in
our behalf, as manifested in that first miracle of Christ during the
wedding at Cana.
We have to learn to abandon ourselves and everything to her. She is
the best way for us to be with God, and she never leaves us. Let us
just learn to be humble especially when we stumble, and run to her
immediately, because she is all too eager to help us. In this we
should not hesitate.
We have to learn to deal with her, developing a deep, most childlike
devotion to her. We can learn from St. John, who after being told by
Christ on the cross, “Behold your Mother,” immediately took her into
his home. (cfr 19,27) Let's try to be good children of hers, to
correspond to her great love for us.
In that document of St. John Paul on her, “Redemptoris Mater,” it is
said that “the Christian, Like the Apostle John, 'welcomes' the Mother
of Christ 'into his own home' and brings her into everything that
makes up his inner life.” This is what we should always do, without
reservations.
We can ask ourselves: how many times have we gone to her today? How
often do I express my devotion to the Virgin Mary during the day, from
morning to night? How do I fulfill the Marian norms of piety? Do I try
to make a new loving effort every day in my affectionate conversation
with our Lady?
Do I make a sincere effort to say the Rosary well, without rushing,
trying to contemplate each mystery well? Do I say the Angelus
attentively? Do I greet my holy Mother Mary when I enter or leave my
room or when I discover her image along the streets of the city?
Do I ask her to help in this campaign of holy purity which the world
greatly needs today? Do I spread this devotion to Our Lady, learning
from her humility? Do I try to entrust the peace and unity of families
to our Mother?
We need to realize that Mary is the only way, the shortest, safest
and surest way to Christ. If our spiritual life is not as vibrant as
it should be, it is almost sure that we are not dealing with Our Lady
properly. Let's then make the necessary changes.
Conception. I remember St. John Paul II saying of this doctrine about
the Immaculate Conception of our Lady: “This solemnly proclaimed
doctrine is expressly termed a 'doctrine revealed by God.' Whoever
does not make this doctrine his own, or maintains an opinion contrary
to it, 'is shipwrecked in faith' and 'separates himself from Catholic
unity.'”
Quite strong words, but definitely they have solid basis, for Mary is
the true icon of love. She is the one closest to God and to all of us.
She lived in perfection God's comandment to love God with all one's
might and to love one's neighbor as oneself. Her heart was completely
identified with the heart of God.
Not only is she the Mother of Christ, and therefore can be rightly
called as the Mother of God, since Christ is God. She is also truly
our Mother who cares for us the way she took care of Christ. She it is
who understood Christ the best. Her constant observation and pondering
in her heart what she saw in Christ is the perfect way we ought to
follow in relating ourselves to Christ.
She is actually present in all aspects of our life, since she
involves herself completely in our life, be it in the spiritual, moral
or material aspects. She is never indifferent to our conditions and
situations. She loves us with a human and supernatural heart, always
oozing with human affection as well as divine love.
She especially gives more attention and help to those who need them
more. Being a mother, she is not scandalized by our sins and dirt. She
will always understand us and is ready to help and clean us. There is
no dirt which she as a mother would not clean for us, her little
children, for that is how she will always regard us.
She is always around, especially during our difficulties. With all
the privileges given to her by God, she can always do that. And if
need be, she will make extraordinary interventions as when she makes
special apparitions to convey a certain urgent message. And with her,
things will always turn out well, since God cannot refuse her pleas in
our behalf, as manifested in that first miracle of Christ during the
wedding at Cana.
We have to learn to abandon ourselves and everything to her. She is
the best way for us to be with God, and she never leaves us. Let us
just learn to be humble especially when we stumble, and run to her
immediately, because she is all too eager to help us. In this we
should not hesitate.
We have to learn to deal with her, developing a deep, most childlike
devotion to her. We can learn from St. John, who after being told by
Christ on the cross, “Behold your Mother,” immediately took her into
his home. (cfr 19,27) Let's try to be good children of hers, to
correspond to her great love for us.
In that document of St. John Paul on her, “Redemptoris Mater,” it is
said that “the Christian, Like the Apostle John, 'welcomes' the Mother
of Christ 'into his own home' and brings her into everything that
makes up his inner life.” This is what we should always do, without
reservations.
We can ask ourselves: how many times have we gone to her today? How
often do I express my devotion to the Virgin Mary during the day, from
morning to night? How do I fulfill the Marian norms of piety? Do I try
to make a new loving effort every day in my affectionate conversation
with our Lady?
Do I make a sincere effort to say the Rosary well, without rushing,
trying to contemplate each mystery well? Do I say the Angelus
attentively? Do I greet my holy Mother Mary when I enter or leave my
room or when I discover her image along the streets of the city?
Do I ask her to help in this campaign of holy purity which the world
greatly needs today? Do I spread this devotion to Our Lady, learning
from her humility? Do I try to entrust the peace and unity of families
to our Mother?
We need to realize that Mary is the only way, the shortest, safest
and surest way to Christ. If our spiritual life is not as vibrant as
it should be, it is almost sure that we are not dealing with Our Lady
properly. Let's then make the necessary changes.
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