Faithfulness and Love

Category Archives: Blessed Virgin Mary

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Feast

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It is tempting for us to take complete credit when we receive praises for a task well done, or when we have accomplised something. After all, we worked hard and made much effort to ensure that the task was not only done properly, we also made sure that the task was completed according to the highest standards. But how many of us are humble and willing to also give credit to God for what we have done, instead of raking all the praises or admiration only to ourselves?

In today’s Gospel, Elizabeth had plenty of praises for Mary, for it was Jesus in Mary’s womb that caused Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Mary could have basked in the glory of listening to such praises from Elizabeth, but she did not do such a thing. Instead, she gave praise to God, saying: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.” Mary acknowledged that the glory belongs to God, not to herself.

What about us? Are we willing to learn from Mary’s example and give glory to God for all we do? After all, the inspiration that we received to accomplish the task could be through God’s help, and we should be grateful to God for His providence and bounty. May we never grow so proud that we can do without God, and like Mary, give God the greater glory.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Today we celebrate the Memorial of the presentation of Mary in the Temple. The Memorial of the presentation of Mary in the Temple is not found in the Bible but from sources other than the Bible, which we call “Sacred Tradition.” It is found in an extra-biblical source called the Infancy Narrative of James. In that text, Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne had been childless, but then they received a message from heaven that they would have a child. In thanksgiving, they brought the child Mary to the Temple to consecrate her to the Lord. It is believed that Mary remained in the Temple to be formed and prepared for her role as the Mother of God. This feast shows that even in her childhood Mary was completely dedicated to God.

From this Memorial, we are reminded of our presentation, dedication and consecration to God when we were baptised. We were transformed to be God’s chosen children, and our duty is to go forth to preach the Good News and to present our lives as an offering that is pleasing to God. Just as Mary fulfilled her mission to bring Jesus Christ into the world, we too are called, chosen and sent to fulfil our mission in bringing His message into the world. Are we following Mary’s example and doing our part earnestly, diligently and joyfully?

Our Lady, Mother and Queen

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When we look at a queen, what sort of impression do we get? Some of us think that a queen is a serene figure who gives moral and emotional support to the king. Some of us may have seen or experienced a queen who is the head of the country or the head of the government, and plays an active role in ensuring that the country remains peaceful and prosperous. But what sort of queen do we have in Mother Mary?

In Mother Mary, we have a queen who shows us what it means to be humble and willing to place our trust in God, no matter what happens. Though Mother Mary knew the risks and dangers she would face by agreeing to become the mother of God’s Son, Jesus, she still said, ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.’ We also see later in the Gospel, where Mother Mary showed care and concern for her cousin Elizabeth, by going to be with her and help her in her pregnancy, even though Mother Mary was herself pregnant. Such a wonderful, loving, humble and caring queen we have, a queen of our hearts.

Today, let us follow our Mother Mary’s example, by being humble and willing to do God’s will. Let us also show our care and concern towards others, just as Mother Mary did, so that others would know that we are Christians by our love.

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Feast

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In today’s Gospel we read the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth. What gift did Mary bring to Elizabeth? We are not told that she brought food or some other item, but she brought herself. She gave Elizabeth the gift of her very presence. It is easy to send flowers or a parcel, but to give the gift of ourselves, to make time to be with somebody, that is the gift that many people long for but do not receive. Following Mary’s example in today’s Gospel story, we must give ourselves, our presence, our time. We must find the time to visit and be with people. This is the greatest gift because its value cannot be calculated in terms of money.

Another point about Mary’s gift to Elizabeth is that one should give not according to one’s convenience but according to the needs of the receiver. It was not convenient for Mary to travel the lonely, dangerous road from Galilee to the hills of Judea. But Elizabeth needed a helping hand. She was six months pregnant and could no longer to do many things. So Mary, as soon as she learned that Elizabeth was six months pregnant went quickly and stayed with her for about three months, until she gave birth. Mary gave to Elizabeth what she needed when she needed it.

Also, Mary’s presence enabled Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and Elizabeth was able to experience the interior peace and joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. Mary’s visit was an inspiration to Elizabeth. When we visit people, let us try to bring some inspiration into their lives, let us seek to bring them closer to God, and let us try to share with them the Spirit of God in us, the Spirit of consolation, of courage, of peace and joy, just as Mary did for Elizabeth.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Memorial

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The feast of the Holy Rosary originated from the naval victory at Lepanto on 7 October 1571. In that naval battle, a small combined Christian fleet defeated a mighty Turkish armada, thus stopping the invasion of Christian Europe. The victory was considered a miracle and Pope St. Pius V attributed it to the praying of the Holy Rosary and the intercession of Our Lady.

From this incident, we can discover that the Rosary is indeed a very special devotion to Our Lady. Many Popes, clergy, religious, saints and lay persons have always recommended it as a good form of devotion. The Rosary is vocal and mental prayer; and it is also personal as well as communal prayer. When we meditate upon the mysteries of the Rosary, we experience Christ through Mary. Not only that, by praying the Rosary, Mary accompanies us in prayer, and praying the Rosary sustains us in the battle against the evil one and his accomplices. Therefore, let us not slack in praying the Rosary, and like Mary surrender ourselves to God so that He may be our help and guide.

Our Lady of Sorrows, Memorial

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It is not easy for a mother to care for her sick child. The mother would spend sleepless nights caring for her child and ensuring that her child takes medicine regularly, while praying that her child would recover quickly. It is even more not easy if the child is dying. The mother would be quite distraught, and she would turn to God in prayer, begging Him to heal her child and spare her child from death. Whatever the circumstances may be, a mother would generally make much sacrifices for the health and wellbeing of her child.

Mother Mary in today’s Gospel also made much sacrifices for Jesus. In fact, she made the ultimate sacrifice. She saw her son Jesus dying on the cross. Most other mothers would have avoided being at the crucifixion site, for personal safety and also it would have been too much to bear. But Mother Mary still stayed on, keeping vigil with her son, Jesus, and watched with agony as her son’s life slowly ebbed away. The Gospel tells us that Jesus gave Mother Mary to His beloved disciple as his mother, so that Mother Mary would have a place of refuge. In a way, Jesus is giving Mother Mary to each and every one of us, as we are like that beloved disciple.

In the end, Jesus died on that cross. But is this the end? No. We know that Jesus rose again after 3 days. Jesus’ death was for the forgiveness of our sins. What was initially a sorrowful scene has turned to great joy as Jesus appeared once again to His disciples. Even then, we could imagine the strength and patience of a mother, our Mother Mary, who despite going through hell and back, still had the fortitude to “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” May we too have the fortitude to face up to the many dangers, troubles and persecutions which may come our way, taking Mother Mary as our shining example, and always depending on our Lord’s help and providence.

Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Feast

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Some of us may be thinking that we are nobodies, that we are small and insignificant, and we would have thought that our opinions do not matter, since we do not seem to have any clout, power, popularity or so-called authority. What we may have failed to realise is that sometimes, people who seem to be nobodies could be just as wise or even wiser in their thoughts and their conduct. Just because such people have nothing of value or significance in the eyes of the world, we may have brushed them off or not taken them seriously, when in reality, their value or significance can be seen if we look deeper with eyes of faith.

In today’s reading, we are told of Bethlehem which to the Israelites was a small and insignificant place. But as the reading tells us: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel; his origin goes back to the distant past, to the days of old… He will stand and feed his flock with the power of the Lord, with the majesty of the name of his God. They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power to the ends of the land. He himself will be peace.” From what seems like such a small and insignificant place, our Saviour Jesus was born. From such a place where nobody would have given any thought of, our King of kings and Prince of Peace came forth to bring the Good News of God’s salvation to all.

This is why we should never take for granted other people. Take the example of mother Mary whose birthday we celebrate today. To others, she was just like any other Jewish girl, nothing great or important. But God made her the mother of His Son, Jesus, and mother of God. God had transformed what people think as insignificant, to become significant and important, if we look with eyes of faith and trust. Let us be thankful and grateful to God for the gift of mother Mary, and also the gift of each and every one of us, because all of us are made in His image, and we are important and significant in the eyes of God.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Among the many Feast days and Solemnities which we celebrate each month, one Solemnity which some people may be wondering why it is being celebrated is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some wonder whether we are giving too much reverence or too much “face” to the Blessed Virgin Mary, so to speak. But if we look closely at what we are doing, we are actually celebrating not the glory of Mary in herself, but the wonderful works of God and His abundant grace. Mary is assumed into heaven only because of God’s grace, which transforms a docile, humble and simple person like Mary into the person whom we admire today. Therefore, on this Solemnity, it is God whom we are actually glorifying and praising.

The Solemnity of the Assumption gives us several messages of faith and hope. It helps us affirm our faith and hope that we Christians will share in the resurrection of Christ. We can believe in the resurrection because it has already happened to mother Mary and she is proof that the resurrection is a reality. It reminds us of the goodness and beauty of our physical bodies. Mary is assumed into heaven not only in soul, but in both body and soul into heaven. The body is not evil and not the cause for our sinfulness, since the body is created good by God. It is we who are tempted and choose to sin and commit evil. The Solemnity of the Assumption also reaffirms and reminds us of the unity of the body and the soul. A body without a soul is a lifeless thing. But a body with a soul is a person that deserves respect and dignity. If we forget or ignore the spiritual dimension of persons and treat persons only as a physical body, we would start treating such persons as a thing to be used, abused and discarded when no longer useful. We are reminded that the body may decay but the soul continues for eternity. Because of this, we should focus more on what happens for eternity rather than focusing too much attention on what is temporary.

If we call ourselves Christians, then Mary should have a special place in our hearts, for we believe that she is the mother of Jesus, and since Jesus is both God and man, Mary is also mother of God. But our love for Mary is meant to lead us ultimately to love Jesus her son. She brought Jesus into this world and Jesus brought her into eternal life.Thus we should, together with mother Mary, praise God and thank Him for the many things He has done in our lives, and thank Him especially for the gift of His Son, Jesus.

Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Solemnity

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Some of us seem to misunderstand the silent types. Some think that people who are silent or do not say much seem to be anti-social, or appear to be not so approachable, or even appearing to be aloof. But as we know, we should never judge a book by its cover. What appears to be something in our mind, could be quite different in reality, especially in personality and character, once we get to know the person. We sometimes call these sort of people “introverts” and for some of those among us who are extroverts or like to yakkity yak yak, meeting an introvert could be quite a harrowing or unnerving experience for some, especially if we do not know how to reach out to one.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That is quite a long (and impressive) title for someone we do not know much about. We do not have any record from the Gospels of what he said, and we would notice in the alternative Gospel that it was Mary who did the talking when they found Jesus in the temple. But what may seem lacking in words and sayings in the Gospel, Saint Joseph more than made up for it in action. Even though in the Gospel he found out that Mary was pregnant with Jesus, he still listened and did what the angel told him to do and took Mary to be his wife. When they found out that Jesus was missing, he became a pillar of strength for Mary and could be counted on as they frantically looked for Jesus.

From these few instances where Saint Joseph are mentioned, we can deduce that Saint Joseph trusted in the Lord and he was faithful to what was entrusted to him. In his silence, humility and trust, we learn that one can be silent, and be a source of strength. We also learn that action speaks louder than words, as what we do could sometimes mean more to another than what we merely say. So the next time you come across these silent types, be aware that these folks could sometimes be a great source of strength and dependence. We just need to be willing and humble enough to accept others for who they are and learn to appreciate their gifts, abilities and talents, giving thanks to God.

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Solemnity

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Do we make it a practice to do the will of God, or are we doing our own will? Sometimes we say we are doing God’s will, but in actuality, we are doing our own thing. It seems easier to do things we are comfortable with, and to avoid those things which are less desirable or unpleasant.

In today’s readings, we see a contrast between the response of Adam and Eve, and the response of Mother Mary. Adam disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, and hid in fear and shame. On the other hand, Mary responded to God’s promptings and said “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.”

Mary said yes to the angel, knowing fully well of the unknown future ahead of her and trusting that God would take care of things. Sometimes we fear the unknown and we prefer to have some amount of certainty, but how many of us are willing to follow Mary’s example and confidently and trustingly say Yes to the many things God bestows on us? Let us look toward Mary as our example and reflect on our own response to God’s call. God invites us to dwell in His loving care, let us fear no more and remain in Him.