Prayer-Soldier Newbie
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 4:02 pm Post subject: The Blessings of the Obedience of Mary |
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The Blessings of the Obedience of Mary
Scripture:
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Say to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the children of Israel, and you shall say to them: The Lord bless you, and keep you. The Lord show his face to you, and have mercy on you. The Lord turn his countenance to you, and give you peace. And they shall invoke my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them. (Numbers 6:22-27)
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law: That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God. (Galations 4:4-7)
And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:16-21)
Reflection:
A child is a new beginning, and so it was that a child was sent by God, not only as a new beginning, but who would bring a new covenant and salvation to the people. To teach and bring salvation to the children of His creation, God sent His only begotten Son so that all who believe in Him shall not parish, but receive everlasting life and share the blessings of love. (John 3:1-21)
Those who heard the prophesies of the birth of a Savior might wonder, to whom would such a child be entrusted as the boy matured? Would it be a powerful king? Would the child be born to a noble family of wealth and power? We do not see as God sees; therefore, our solutions and expectations do not consider all which He knows and which is beyond our comprehension. Despite the prophesies, we might wonder who would expect God would chose a young virgin, betrothed to a carpenter of the line of David to become the mother of the only begotten Son of the Heavenly Father. Through the womb of Mary, upon whom the favor of God rests, (Luke 1:26-35) came the Word made flesh as the light unto the world. (John 1:1-5) How amazing is the work of God, for through the lowly, He brings forth great things? And so it was, Mary and Joseph were entrusted with caring for the One who is the Savior of the world.
The news was not immediately known. It spread from one to another; first from the mouths of angels, then, among the lowly. Shepherds spoke of what they heard and what they saw. Blessed were those who were witness. Blessed are those who hear the testimony and ponder it within their hearts such that it may guide and enrich their lives.
We can only imagine what might be in the heart of Mary as she looked into the eyes of her newborn child, a child conceived within her by the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:35) Though she knew what the angel told her, she did not know all which God had set in motion through her. Still, she knew a child was entrusted to her, a special child who would be great and called the Son of the Most High. The moments and events which came, she would ponder within her heart. (Luke 1:29-30, 2:16-19) Blessed are we for the courage and strength of a young virgin who willingly fulfilled the vocation entrusted to her by God; to be the mother of the only begotten Son of our Heavenly Father.
Though she did not know all which was to come, Mary answered the call of God. She would hear from others what was revealed by angels and prophets. Times of hardship and danger lay before her, but Mary did not turn away. Blessed are we for the devotion of a young virgin, for through her obedience to God, a child was born who brings joy to the heavenly host and salvation to all who turn to Him.
Questions for further reflection:
In what ways may we remind our children of the blessings of Christ?
In what ways may we share with others the good news of the Lord?
How may we recognize and fulfill the vocations which God entrusts to us?
May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier
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