What sort of greeting might this be?
March 18, 2021
Last day of our 33 day preparation for the Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary
Dear Family of Mary!
Day Three of our Novena for the Annunciation of the Lord:
"But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be." (Luke 1:29)
When Gabriel first addressed Our Lady, he hailed her with a greeting that is most unique. From the Greek, he said "Hail, Kecharitomene!" This title, this name, this identity, had never before been given to anyone. Certainly Mary was perplexed by it!
She needed to understand it, before she could consider anything else that Gabriel would say to her. Our Lady was exercising her free will, and her responsibility to discern. God does not want robots. He has given each one of us a free will. It is up to us to train and educate our minds and hearts so that we can discern what is offered to us.
And so Our Lady was troubled. This title she was given was unique. And she needed to consider in her mind, use her intellect, to understand it. She took her time in the conversation with Gabriel, in order to stay in the light and peace of God, listening with her heart and mind for the Spirit's confirmation.
Our Lady now wants to teach us to discern, to use our intellects in order to serve Jesus well, to answer His call. Listen to this message:
September 2, 2015 "Dear children, My dear apostles of love, my carriers of truth, again I am calling you and gathering you around me to help me, to help all of my children who thirst for love and truth - who thirst for my Son. I am a grace from the Heavenly Father, sent to help you to live the word of my Son. Love one another. I lived your earthly life. I know that it is not always easy, but if you will love each other, you will pray with the heart, you will reach spiritual heights and the way to heaven will be opened for you. I, your mother, am waiting for you there because I am there. Be faithful to my Son and teach others faithfulness. I am with you. I will help you. I will teach you faith that you may know how to transmit it to others in the right way. I will teach you truth that you may know how to discern. I will teach you love that you may come to know what real love is... My children, my Son will make it so as to speak through your words and your actions. Thank you."
Mother, teach us to consider well everything that we hear and respond in faith and love!
Let us pray:
Annunciation prayer of faith:
Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Word,
You became Incarnate as man
in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
You, through whom the universe was created,
began your earthly course,
in the womb of a humble and chaste Virgin.
At the annunciation of this miracle,
Mary responded in faith:
"Let it be done to me according to your word."
May we who are made new creatures by your grace,
respond with such faith, when you call us to your service. Amen
(written by David Bennett)
And for St. Joseph on the last day of our 33 day preparation for his Feast Day!:
Dear St. Joseph, foster father of us all, we love you! You so faithfully stayed by the side of Mary when she gave Jesus to the world the first time. Help us now in our turn to stay faithfully by her side in Medjugorje.
Dear St. Joseph, you were always strong and resolute – in Bethlehem, in Egypt, and in Nazareth. You never wavered from the side of Mary. Help us to be strong and resolute and to never waver from her side.
Dear St. Joseph, help us to be faithful to the call of Our Lady and to witness to her presence in these days. St. Joseph, pray for us!!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
(c)Mary TV 2021
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