Faithful to the religious observances of their faith, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple forty days after his birth to dedicate Him to God. This was an important custom of the Jewish religion. It was also customary for a wealthy family to bring a lamb and a young pigeon or turtle dove to be sacrificed. Poorer families, however, were permitted to offer two pigeons or two turtle doves for the offering. When the Holy Family arrived at the Temple, they were greeted by a just and pious man named Simeon. His words brought with them the first of Our Lady’s sufferings.
For Reflection: Read Luke 2: 22-35. What did Simeon prophesy about Jesus? How was it the occasion of great joy and great sorrow for Our Lady? In what way was she called to exemplify the three hallmarks of a handmaid of the Lord – receptivity, trust and surrender?
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“God sends to us the one who personifies his love: Mary, the spouse of the Spirit – a spirit of maternal love – immaculate, all beautiful, spotless, even though she is our sister, a true daughter of the human race.”
St. Maximilian KolbeFor Reflection:
Consider this quote in light of yesterday’s quote. What does it say to you? How do you think Mary personifies God’s love through the Holy Spirit? How have you experienced an increase in Mary’s maternal love through your meditations of the GraceLines this month? Have you experienced an increase of God’s love? In what ways?
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“God sends to us the one who personifies his love: Mary, the spouse of the Spirit – a spirit of maternal love – immaculate, all beautiful, spotless, even though she is our sister, a true daughter of the human race.”
St. Maximilian KolbeFor Reflection:
Consider this quote in light of yesterday’s quote. What does it say to you? How do you think Mary personifies God’s love through the Holy Spirit? How have you experienced an increase in Mary’s maternal love through your meditations of the GraceLines this month? Have you experienced an increase of God’s love? In what ways?
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“It is said that the Holy Spirit dwells in the souls of the just. If this is so, then he must dwell in the most perfect manner possible in the soul of the Immaculata. Our Most Holy Mother is totally suffused with the divine.”
St. Maximilian Kolbe
For Reflection:
Why do you think that the Holy Spirit would dwell in the most perfect manner in the soul of the Immaculata? What do you think the Saint means when he says Mary is “totally suffused with the Divine?” What new depth of understanding does this bring to your perspective about Our Lady?
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“You are not able to see my Son as He is in Heaven, but let me describe to you His physical appearance as He was in the world. His features were so beautiful that no one looked at His Face without feeling joy and consolation, even when depressed.”
The Blessed Virgin to St. Bridget of Sweden
For Reflection:
Could it be that this is why Pope John Paul II asked us to meditate on the Holy Face of Jesus? Practice doing so in your time of prayer today. Journal any consolation or grace that you receive. Consider the fact that Jesus took on Mary’s flesh. In light of this, what does this quote reveal to us about Mary as well? Reread St. Maximilian Kolbe’s quote for January 16. Journal any new inspirations or insights.
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“Mary is the sure path to our meeting with Christ. Devotion to the Mother of the Lord, when it is genuine, is always an impetus to a life guided by the spirit and values of the Gospel.”
Pope John Paul II
For Reflection:
What is the conditional given by the Holy Father regarding Mary’s efficacy in our spiritual life? On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you place your devotion to Mary in light of authenticity and genuineness? Remember these words from the Closing Message to Women of the Second Vatican Council – “… women impregnated with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling.” How does Pope John Paul II echo these words?
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“In that first ‘fusion’ with Jesus (holy communion), it was my Heavenly Mother again who accompanied me to the altar for it was she herself who placed her Jesus into my soul.”
St. Therese of Lisieux
For Reflection:
This beautiful quote expresses the ultimate purpose and grace of Eucharist and the intervention of the Mother of God in helping it to be procured. It also rightly expresses Mary’s role as spiritual mother. Identify all of the above. What resolution would you like to make in its regard?
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“I am all aflame though there is no fire. I feel myself held fast and bound to the Son by means of this Mother…. I’d like to fly off to invite all creatures to love Jesus and Mary.”
St. Pio of Pietrelcina
For Reflection:
Have you ever felt so full of love for Jesus and Mary? When? Describe that moment in a journal. Do you think it is an example of mysticism? Why or why not? How does this quote of St Pio identify the role of Our Lady and her fulfillment of it?
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“To give worthy praise to the Lord’s mercy, we unite ourselves with Your Immaculate Mother, for then our hymn will be more pleasing to You, because She is chosen from among men and angels. Through Her, as through a pure crystal, Your mercy was passed on to us. Through Her, man becomes pleasing to God; Through Her, streams of grace flowed down upon us.”
St. Faustina Kowalska, #1746
For Reflection:
Go to your Catechism of the Catholic Church and read paragraphs 490-493. Consider the Saints comparison of Mary to a “pure crystal” in light of the Immaculate Conception. Consider all of the above in light of Mary’s role of Mediatrix (CCC 967-970).
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“Hail to you forever, O virgin mother of God, our unceasing joy…You are the pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom; the fate of every victim, the living altar of the bread of life. Hail, O treasure of God. Hail, O fount of the Son’s love for man.”
St. Methodius of Olympus
For Reflection:
Why do you think Mary is our “unceasing joy?” Why do you think she is the “pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom?” How is Mary “the living altar of the bread of life” and therefore, the “fate of every victim?” Why do you think she is the “treasure of God” and the “fount of the Son’s love for man?” Which of these deepens your love and appreciation of Mary the most?
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