Tag: Jesus (Page 1 of 5)

To Jesus through Mary – what?

January 1, 2019 / MSFriend / 2 Comments

To Jesus through Mary is what many Catholics imagine when praying the Rosary or thinking about Jesus ‘ first miracle, the wedding feast at Cana. The phrase seems to imply that Mary is our conduit to Jesus or that without Mary we can’t “get” to Jesus. In a sense, that’s true. Think about what our lives would be like if Mary had said no – but that’s not what this post is about.

I recently contemplated what the phrase REALLY means for me. So, on this Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, I wanted to share some thoughts on that.

My Advent Journey

During my morning meditation several weeks ago, I was joyful because Christmas was a little over a week away and my Advent preparation has been amazing. I’ve been journeying through Advent with Mary through a book called Rejoice: Advent Meditations with Mary. The meditations helped me to truly focus on Mary’s wisdom. I was reminded of how she studied and prayed with scripture and how she pondered things in her heart. Mary possessed a strength, confidence and trust that allowed her to accept God’s will for her life. She was unwavering in her faith. Mary was a powerful example of discipleship for her son and she should be a powerful example for us!

So how do I translate “to Jesus through Mary?” What does it mean for me? Of course, through baptism we all begin to develop a relationship with Jesus and yes, we can go straight to Him in prayer. But for me, this phrase is more about how we become more like Him rather than how we approach Him in prayer.

A great example

As all mothers are examples for their children, Mary was an example for Jesus. Although Jesus was divine, He chose to become human for our sake. In His humanity, He chose to remain humble, as His mom was. He didn’t “drop names” to get what He wanted or to change the outcome of certain situations. Instead, He chose to remain human and follow His mom’s example of humility and trust in God.

Jesus was divine and thus, perfect – no doubt. His supernatural gifts came from the Father. But when He chose to become human He became subject to the same trials and temptations we are. Worse, He was subject to massive persecution. Despite all that, Jesus remained steadfast in faith. His faith was unwavering because He trusted in God’s promise. Sound familiar? Where do you think that came from? It came from His mother.

To Jesus through Mary?

So when I hear “to Jesus through Mary” now I think: How can I become more like Jesus? By looking to Mary, Jesus’ prime, shining example of humility, faith, strength and trust. In His humanity – He was who He was and how He was because of the example He had in His mother, Mary.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen! What a gem, scriptural in nature and the background music of the rosary.

Happy New Year! May this year be one of abundant blessings, good health and tremendous spiritual growth. Step out of your comfort zone this year – stretch yourself beyond your perceived limits. Remember God loves you and He’s with you every step of the way! God bless you!

From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday

March 31, 2018 / MSFriend / 0 Comments

Jesus’ descent into hell.

The following excerpt was read at Tenebrae service this morning.Tenebrae means shadow or darkness and the service is basically a funeral service for Jesus. It is celebrated the last three days of Holy Week and includes the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer of the Liturgy of the hours.

From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday
The Lord descends into hell

Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.