Mary TV: December 7, 2012 Reflection

(c)Mary TV 2012   The Immaculate Conception   + J.M.J.    December 7, 2012 St. Ambrose   Dear Family of Mary!   Tomorrow is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Since I do not usually write reflections on the weekend, I would like to take this opportunity to honor Mary, our Mother, the Immaculate Conception. She is more wonderful than we could ever imagine. She is more pure, holy, humble, powerful and loving than we could ever take in. And because of her humility, her wonder is mostly hidden from view. She remains the "lowly handmaiden" of the Father.   But if we quiet ourselves enough, and ponder the wonders that God has done through the Blessed Virgin Mary, we will begin to glimpse that hidden glory that is Mary. On this feast day, may we take time to quiet ourselves and behold our mother, as Jesus told us to do from the Cross. If we contemplate Mary, she will fill us with Jesus.   Saint Bernard's Prayer to the Virgin Mary from Dante's Divine Comedy (trans. Lawrence Binyon):   Maiden and Mother, daughter of thine own Son, Beyond all creatures lowly and lifted high, Of the Eternal Design the corner-stone!   Thou art she who did man's substance glorify So that its own Maker did not eschew Even to be made of its mortality.   Within thy womb the Love was kindled new By generation of whose warmth supreme This flower to bloom in peace eternal grew.   Here thou to us art the full noonday beam Of love revealed: below, to mortal sight, Hope, that for ever springs in living stream.   Lady, though art so great and hast such might That whoso crave grace, nor to thee repair, Their longing even without wing seeketh flight.   Thy charity doth not only him up-bear Who prays, but in thy bounty's large excess Thou oftentimes dost even forerun the prayer.   In thee is pity, in thee tenderness, In thee magnificence, in thee the sum Of all that in creation most can bless.   In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2012   PS. Today, Mary TV will air a new weekly program:   FAMILY PRAYER - DIVINE MERCY 3:00 pm Eastern Time every Friday www.marytv.tv   Spread the news!!!