Mary TV Daily Reflection 12/6/2011

(c)Mary TV 2011 (Denis rocks his granddaughter, Emelia!)

December 6, 2011 Saint Nicholas   Dear Family of Mary!   "Dear children, as a mother I am with you so that with my love, prayer and example I may help you to become a seed of the future, a seed that will grow into a firm tree and spread its branches throughout the world. For you to become a seed of the future, a seed of love, implore the Father to forgive you your omissions up to now. My children, only a pure heart, unburdened by sin, can open itself and only honest eyes can see the way by which I desire to lead you. When you become aware of this, you will become aware of the love of God - it will be given (as a gift) to you. Then you will give it (as a gift) to others, as a seed of love. Thank you." (December 2, 2011)   We are close to the end of our novena to the Immaculate Conception. I have received many graces already from this novena. One of those graces is a renewed relationship with my grandfather! You might ask how such a thing could happen during a novena since he has been dead for about 50 years! Well, during this time of prayer with Our Lady, some memories have returned to me about my childhood. I was conceived shortly after World War II. I am a baby boomer! My parents had gone through such a difficult time as young people during that war. My mother was a Marine; my father was in the Navy. They both served our country, and endured so much anxiety and stress during those years. I was conceived into the aftermath of all that stress. And I was not a very happy baby. I had colic and lots of challenges. My mother told me that I cried a lot, in fact most of my first 6 months.   Well, during prayer this week I remembered all that. I knew that it was no one's fault, but I was very aware of my natural melancholy. But then I was reminded of someone who was there for me, unconditionally loving me during that time. It was my grandfather, Renan Barclay. He was a retired sailor himself, and had seen both World Wars. But he was not scarred by them. He had a heart of gold. And I am told that he came to my house every day he could while I was crying, and rocked me. He rock Image via Wikipedia ed me and sang to me and held me so my mother could get some work done and rest a bit. He said I would hold on to the rungs of the rocker with my little hands and fall asleep over his shoulder.   I realized this week that Grandpa Renan still wants to come and comfort me. He can't rock me now, but he is near, watching over me from heaven, with the same gentle love he always had for me. I can't tell you all how happy this has made me! I realize that God had provided for me when I was a baby, and He is providing for me now as well, with dear guardians like my grandfather who love me. This is a healing given to me from the Immaculate Conception. She is working in my life to free my heart from all that is not pure and whole. God wants our hearts to be filled with the joy of His love, and the love of all heaven. Only then can we be seeds of love for others! Thank you, Grandpa, for loving me. Thank you, dear Mother Mary, Immaculate Conception, for loving me. And, yes, thank you dear Father, Son and Holy Spirit for loving me (us)!   PRAYER TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION O God,  who by the Immaculate Conception  of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,  we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain,  so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You.  Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.  Amen.   Day Eight O Most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, intercede with him for us that we be granted the favor which we petition for so earnestly in this novena...O Mother of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Mother of God, in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception, hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions. (State your intention here...)   O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be according to God's will.   Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:  http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/litany_mary.htm      In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c)Mary TV

 

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