THE ANNUNCIATION OF MARY-HER FEAST

4. The Consent.

Mary once She was satisfied that everything came from God gives Her consent. Think also how the Lord behaves. God could have done all that without awaiting Our Lady's consent but He does not want to force Her will.

In like manner He proceeds with us. God does not want any forced consent, any forced love. God wants souls who freely, voluntarily and generously surrender themselves to Him. When it was a matter of creating you, He did not seek your consent; yet for the work of your salvation and sanctification, it is absolutely necessary that you should spontaneously give your consent. He will not forcibly make you a saint against your own will. He will give you His grace and His help; but whether you sanctify yourself through that grace, or waste it and ignore it, that is your own personal business.

The business of your sanctification depends on you, on your own free will. Make no mistake about that.

THE ANNUNCIATION OF MARY-HER FEAST

3. How Mary Receives the Message.

Consider how Our Lady, so prepared by the Angel, receives the most important part of God's message: that She will be the Mother of God because She will bring forth the Holy of Holies. Mary listens, but instead of immediately giving Her consent as though impelled by self-glory, She instead with great prudence and humility ponders over the words and examines if they coincide with the will of God as shown to Her in His agreement to Her vow of virginity.

Learn prudence of Mary. How easily we believe something to be God's business, seeing it as easily as a suggestion from an angel when it redounds to our won profit or glory. How readily we sprint towards those things that please us. And how often we afterwards realise that the inspiration did not after all come from the Angel of Light but from the Angel of Darkness, and what we thought to be a divine whisper was in reality a temptation! Examine, meditate, take advice, so that you may always be right in your choice and resolves, thereby imitating the prudence of your Heavenly Mother.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

THE ANNUNCIATION OF MARY-HER FEAST

2. The Salutation of the Angel.

Consider in this salutation not only the praise he offers Mary but also the glorious truths he recalls to Her mind. He calls Her full of grace, tells Her that God is with Her, and adds that She is blessed amongst women. Thus does the Angel prepare Mary to correspond to these favors from God and give Her consent to His message and thus not hinder the plans of God. So it is that God often speaks to us. very often and in many ways, and especially with His internal light He whispers into our hearts and reminds us of the graces He has bestowed on us. Hence the obligation we have to correspond to, and cooperate with them. He encourages us with the hope of the wealth of grace and glory that we gain through our correspondence.

But we, so wretched, what do we do? How do we receive those inspirations from God? And if perchance on some rare occasion we feel inspired to work on our own sanctification with fervor and enthusiasm, is it not true that oftener than not we pay no heed to such prompting? And we keep on wasting our time by disregarding those whisperings of grace thus deafening our ears to the advances of God.

Mediation 28

THE ANNUNCIATION OF MARY-HER FEAST

This incomparable mystery in the life of Our Lady was accomplished through the embassy of an angel. It will, then, be convenient to compare this embassy with the messages which God so often sends our souls.

1. The Embassy.

God sent the Angel in a visible way to announce to Our Heavenly Mother Her promotion to the dignity of Mother of God. It appears that the Angel took on a human shape most befitting the lofty scope of his embassy, that of a beautiful youth surrounded by heavenly splendor, for he had to deal with the most sublime business ever undertaken between Heaven and earth, between God and man.

Thus does God often attempt to deal with us about some business appertaining to His glory and to the welfare of our souls. And He does so through His angels although in an invisible shape. How often is our guardian angel in the name of God trying to draw our attention to some inspiration, and yet we do not pay any heed. If we could see him visibly, we would not behave in this manner. But why do we not see with the eyes of Faith?

We should also see God through the eyes of faith in those who speak to us in His name, namely, the superiors, the spiritual directors, the preachers, good readings, good example and even humiliations and trials. What are all these but embassies sent to us by God? Compared with the way Our lady received the Angel how do we receive them?

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

THE ANNUNCIATION

MARIAN SLAVERY

2. The Divine Mould.

But all this means that I must lose myself in Mary, like a drop in the ocean, or like the metal in the mould. Mary is the mould of God. God wants us to be similar to Jesus and thus He gives us the pattern. we must, by being similar to Mary, be shaped in it in order to be perfect images of Jesus. Now think well of what is entailed by this being shaped, by our being emptied into that mould. You must be filled with Mary. Until you do so you will not be a real slave, nay you will not be a real lover of Mary.

But think also of the inherent reward. To be similar to Mary is a reward in itself. Is this too little? Think of being able to attract the love of God as She did. Because She made Herself a slave, She became the Queen and Mother of God. Something similar will happen to you. God cannot be beaten in generosity. That is why we cannot even imagine the reward that He reserves for those who surrender themselves perfectly to Him in this holy slavery. Do not however think of the reward, but give yourself up and expect no other prize than that of intimately loving Jesus and Mary and of being similar to them.

Without fear adopt this practice, this divine slavery. Ask Mary to help you. Examine yourself daily and ask yourself often whether you are really emptying yourself of yourself. when self-love tingles, remember Mary. At every stroke of the hour remember your slavery. Never think of your own likes or dislikes. Just think whether or not your loving Mother wants it so.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

Meditation 27

THE ANNUNCIATION

MARIAN SLAVERY

1. In what it consists.

I must have an intimate knowledge of the strict meaning of this word. a slave depends on somebody else in such a manner that all that he is and has does not belong to him but to his master. (Such was the barbaric law of old.) He disposes of nothing and of nobody, not even of himself. He has no freedom. He must do only what his master orders. He has no self-will. He must limit his desires to the wishes of his master. He has no juridical personality. He is a thing rather than a person. The master does with him what he pleases. He can sell him, or present him to another. He can punish him even without reason, kill him even for a whim. Nobody can call the master to task for what he does with his slave. The slave is merely at his mercy and caprice.

Now this slavery of man to man as it existed in pagan times is brutal and unworthy, degrading, forbidden by God. It was abolished by Christ. But if this slavery is practiced towards God, and if a man freely and voluntarily renders himself a slave to Him, this slavery is the greatest, the most worthy and beautiful possible. It is a proof of a most profound humility based on the formula: "All belongs to God, nothing is mine. Consequently, everything for God and nothing for myself." So then, my body with its senses, my soul with its powers and all the actions and movements of my being, all my sensations, thoughts, affections, loves, all my words, as well as my silences, my laughter, whatever I suffer, whatever I do, whenever I walk, sleep, eat, or pray, all is for God. This most sublime slavery is the highest possible sanctity. The more independently of God I live and work, the greater my faults and my imperfections; whereas the more God dwells and works within me, the greater will my perfection be. Is this not slavery? Well, thus my own slavery to Mary ought to be. I must live as Her son. I must depend on Her for everything. My intentions must always be Hers. The means I use must be Hers. I must hide in Her Heart in order to live in Her presence so that, by living in this manner, I shall finally direct all my activities, not to my own glory of profit, but only to Her glory, and to Her service.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE MOTHER OF GOD

4. The Mother of God is My Mother.

But that union affects me also. God wanted His Mother to be my Mother also, thus She loved me from that moment as His brother. Hence She ardently desired that Her Son should be born and should redeem the world, and consequently too She had me constantly in mind. She wanted then, as She wants now, to keep me as Her son, to be another Jesus. She wants me to be united with Her as She was with Jesus, so that I also like Jesus should partake of the same life. What immence happiness to think that I have as Mother the one chosen as the Mother of God. It is through Mary that we acquire a real relationship with Jesus. Jesus and I are brothers. Think of this and thank both Mother and Son for this marvelous achievement of love.

Imitate Mary in Her divine maternity by living more intimately with Jesus. Make this union rich in practical results. But make sure you first unite yourself that your soul may be in word and in deed really worthy of such a great Mother.

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE MOTHER OF GOD

3. The Life of the Mother of God.

At that time Her life was a life of intimate union with God both in body and soul. It was the intimate life of a Mother with Her Son. It was only one life, only one beating of both hearts. What an intense and deep recollection was Hers! All was centered upon the life of Her divine Son. Whatever She did, She did for Him and with Him. She would view things with the eyes of Her Son. She would love with His heart. His pleasure was Her pleasure. Hence, that most intimate life with Jesus; hence, those pure and perfect sentiments of love and joy towards that God Who was enclosed in Her bosom. If Heaven consists in the possession of God, Mary was already enjoying Paradise through that most intimate possession which was more perfect, indeed, than that of even the angels in Heaven. It was, then, through the union with Her Son a totally divine life, totally glorious, totally sanctifying.

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE MOTHER OF GOD

2. The Divine Maternity.

Mary at that moment became the true Mother of God. A sublime and wonderful dignity! This dignity is infinite, in as much as the dignity of Her Son is infinite. Mary has a real and physical relationship with the Son of God. From this moment God abides in Mary, not in image, not only with His grace, but with His very Divine Person. There is now between God and Mary a true identification in as much as the blood and flesh of His Son are the blood and flesh of Mary. This is the most intimate and sublime union which can exist between a creature and God. Through it Mary, as the Mother of God, attains the highest authority, namely, that of commanding Her Divine Son. She also acquires the highest privilege, namely, that of a special right to the love of Her Divine Son and from Him receives all the treasures of grace and glory together with the power to communicate them to others.

The truth of Her divine mediation is based on this divine maternity. She is an all-powerful Mediatrix because She partakes by grace of the omnipotence which God has by His own nature. Moreover through this maternity, She is the dispenser of grace. We can clearly see that God wants to grant graces to mankind through the ministry of Mary, rather than by Himself direct. How wonderful, sublime and divine is this maternity of Mary! We shall never fathom the depths of its profound magnificence. God can create more worlds, more angels and many other beings very much more perfect than the angels themselves, but He cannot produce a greater Mother than the Mother of God.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

Meditation 26

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE MOTHER OF GOD

1. The all-Powerfulness of Her "Fiat".

When Mary says, Be it done, She not only practises Her submission to God, She tells us the secret of Her omnipotence. Hardly had She uttered these words than as announced by the Angel, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Her and gave accomplishment to the work of the Incarnation. At that very moment the Word was made flesh and began dwelling amongst us. Such was the power of Mary's word. At the beginning of time "Be it done", was the word uttered by the omnipotence of God; at once worlds sprang out of nothing, swimming round in space. In the abyss of Her humility the same word is uttered by Mary and thus is brought about a work even more wonderful than the one achieved by the Creator. That initial "Be it done" drew Creation from naught. This "Be it done" of Mary draws God Himself from His eternity, so that He, without ceasing to be God, commences to be man. Look at the Holy Virgin and look at the Holy Spirit whilst in the Immaculate blood of Mary He organizes the body of Jesus Christ. Thus the body and blood taken from the Virgin become the matter of the sacrifice which later He will offer on the Cross for the redemption of the world. Adore such a sublime mystery and thank Jesus and Mary for it.

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD

2. True servitude.

But you must not limit yourself to mere lip service. You also have often raised to God words of offering, of surrender, of servitude. Yes, but then afterwards how have you kept your word? With Mary it was otherwise. She says what She feels and She does what She says. On account of that She repeats Be it done to me according to Thy word!

Ponder and relish the world of meaning enclosed in the word Fiat, "Be it done!", the formula of true servitude to God. "I am a Handmaid and therefore I have nothing, I can want nothing except God. Everything must come from God, nothing from the Handmaid." Fiat, then, implies a total renunciation, a complete, perfect and absolute surrender of Her being. Neither self-will, nor freedom, nor choice; only what God wants and orders. Sublime servitude indeed!

But there is still more. This servitude must not halt in the face of any sacrifice, heavy and painful though it be. Mary at this point proceeds quite cautiously. She is perfectly aware of the step She is taking. Without haste, she thinks, ponders things over, raises objections to the Angel, advancing reasons, suggesting solutions. All this is a clear sign that She is proceeding with full knowledge. She knows from now on all that She must suffer, if She is going to be the Mother of God. She knows in advance the tortures lying in wait for Her; She appreciates that to be a co-Redemptrix will mean wading through a sea of bitter sorrows. Nevertheless, she knows that such is God's will; hence that suffices. Until she clearly knows what God wants, she raises some difficulties; but as soon as She knows the will of God, she has naught to say than Be it done! Remember the words of Christ in His Passion. He also said Let Thy will, not Mine, be done! Is not this fiat the same as that of His Mother? Do you also say, "Let God's will be done!" especially when self-love rises in rebellion? Why do you not ask your Mother to help you follow her example in order that you also may do the Holy Will of God?

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD

1. Mary's Answer.

Picture that scene at Nazareth and in spirit watch it from close quarters. The angel has already ended his embassy. His mission is over; he keeps silent. He awaits Mary's answer. Look at the whole of creation. Look at God Himself at this solemn moment. What a moving scene! Draw close to Mary and beg Her not to delay her answer. Tell Her that all the unfortunate children of Eve, all of us, born slaves of sin, are eagerly awaiting Her word of redemption and of grace. Tell Her that the whole world and the very heavens themselves are in suspense while waiting Her answer.

And then the silence is broken. Mary speaks. The Angel trembles with emotion. From Mary prostrate on the ground from the bottom of Her soul spring these simple and sublime words Behold the Handmaid of the Lord! Now the Angel is troubled. With all his angelic intelligence, he fails to comprehend her great humility, her great sanctity. The Queen of queens, the Mistress of Heaven and earth, the One Blessed amongst women, a slave, a handmaid! Yes, she accepts that state, she avows it unashamedly. She does not try to conceal it. She proclaims it in the face of the whole world, and stresses this truth so that all may know that, for all Her greatness, she is and always has been the handmaid of the Lord. Try to penetrate the heart of God Himself. What would God on hearing these words feel in the face of this adorable behavior? If God fills the humble and the poor spirit with His blessings what will not He do with this little Handmaid of His? How readily He will respond: "So Thou art My Handmaid, then I make Thee My Queen." He would instantly order all the angels of Heaven to render obeisance to Her. Do you also the same. Adore the immense greatness amidst such profound humility.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE VIRGINAL PURITY OF MARY

5. Your Virginity.

Think often of the exceptional grace bestowed by God on the souls He has called to the state of virginity. If you are one of those chosen ones, be convinced of the privilege which is yours and give thanks to God. Show your gratitude in a practical manner, taking care that an interior and external modesty accompanies all your actions, your looks, enquiries, composure, clothing. Then foster humility, the basis of charity in your soul. Many have fallen into shameful sins on account of their pride. Cultivate mortification and penance so essential to this virtue. No sacrifice is too great, if it is necessary to keep virginity intact and flourishing. Finally, ask Our Lady the grace of imitating Her especially in her love for virginal chastity. Ask her to help you to cooperate with her in spreading love and reverence for virginity.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE VIRGINAL PURITY OF MARY

4. The Predilection of Jesus.

Our Lord had a great love and preference for virginity. To it He devoted one of His beatitudes. He loved with preference that disciple who was a virgin. To him at the foot of the Cross He entrusted the treasure of His Mother, judging him on account of his virginity to be the one best fit to look after the Virgin of Virgins. Jesus remained with us in the Eucharist and gave His priests full power over His Body and Blood, but He demands that the priesthood be virginal. Jesus has some chosen souls, virgins of the Lord, as His spouses. Finally, He reserves for the virgins a special reward in Heaven; they accompany the Lamb of God wherever He goes and sing with Him a new canticle which they alone know.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE VIRGINAL PURITY OF MARY

3. Incarnation Through Virginity.

Try to understand the sublimity of this plan. See God drawing a blue-print for the magnificent work of the Incarnation on the basis of the virginity of His Mother. As we have already seen elsewhere, the redemption of mankind was faced by two insurmountable difficulties: a) Humanly speaking, redemption was not possible because all mankind together could not atone for one single sin. It was necessary that redemption should be achieved by God. b) But God could not possibly atone and redeem as long as He could not sacrifice Himself, immolate Himself, suffer and die for man. Divinely speaking, redemption seemed also impossible.

But God finds a way: He will become man and thus possess a body through which to suffer and die. But this body could not be formed like other bodies. Otherwise it would be born stained like the rest; it would be a body conceived in sin. And such a body could not be taken up by the Son of God. The way out of this conflict is Mary Immaculate, stainlessly conceived; the Virgin Mary could be a Mother without any detriment to Her virginity. In this way Jesus, as God, holy, virginal and pure, will likewise, because His Mother is holy, virginal and pure, be so as man. Incarnation through virginity! How much beauty there is in this virtue!

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE VIRGINAL PURITY OF MARY

2. Virginity.

How great is Mary's love for virginal purity! Behold what unheard-of glories, what ineffable grandeur is offered to Mary on behalf of God and through the mouth of an angel. Yet she is not dazed. She thinks of Her virginity; and since the choice seems to be between the dignity of being God's Mother or the sacrifice of the virginity she has vowed to God, she has no hesitation. She chooses the grace that sanctifies rather than the grace that exalts and raises to honor.

Meditate in silence on the love which Mary has for virginity. Let your heart exhaust itself, expanding with feelings of admiration for your Mother. Recall the vow she made at the age of three, the fidelity she used in keeping it, the test to which the Lord now submits Her. See how Mary as a prudent, humble and most chaste virgin scores a victory over all and holds high the banner of virginity.

No doubt, God is enamoured of Mary even more now on seeing Her so virginal and pure. What She fears to be a hindrance is rather an attraction which impels God to choose Her as His Mother. Precisely because she is a virgin she is going to be the Mother of God.

Meditation 24

THE ANNUNCIATION

THE VIRGINAL PURITY OF MARY

1. The Objections of Mary.

Mary has still an objection to the words of the Angel. It is a fear of herself. Eve in Paradise fears when eating the forbidden fruit, but she does not fear sin: she only fears the punishment of sin, namely, death. On the contrary, Mary's only fear on receiving the Angel's message is lest she should go against Her word to God. Her fear is just, reasonable, holy, inspired by the love of God and of virtue. Are these your objections whenever you hear the voice of God? Are your fears not rather prompted by your self love which is always so ready to offer resistance to the divine demands?

Fra Angelico's The Virgin of Humility

THE ANNUNCIATION
MARY'S BEHAVIOR IN HER HUMILITY

4. Your Humility.
Are you similar to Mary in humility and in the generosity of your sacrifice? Do you not rather search after flattery and smiles and sweet words? Are you ready to take for yourself whatever is heavy and despised and humiliating? At least when God gives it to you. Do you accept it with resignation; or do you rather protest and try to shirk it? Think of your nothingness for in the same way as God raised the grandeur of Creation from nothingness, your greatness also will spring from the acknowledgment of your own nothingness. Know God Who is all, and know your own nothingness. Thus you will find real humility.
Perform some acts of external humility. Make many acts of interior humility. Feel obliged and thankful to those who by despising you, help you to practice humility.

THE ANNUNCIATION
MARY'S BEHAVIOR IN HER HUMILITY

3. True Humility.
Humility is not cowardice. Truly, it makes us feel small in our own esteem; but it makes us great in the eyes of God. Never had Mary appeared so great in the eyes of God as on this occasion. But humility is not the virtue of the cowardly and the miserable: on the contrary, it is the virtue of the strong, of the magnanimous. Contemplate Mary. She feels troubled at the words of the Angel but Her discernment remains tranquil and serene. She ponders and then finally acts with determination. This is true humility: to recognize the voice of God, to submit to His will, to surrender our opinion to it even though it may cost us as much as it cost Mary, for She knew full well what amount of suffering and sorrow would torture Her heart. Yet She immediately accepted the divine proposal. Humble, yes, but at the same time magnanimous and courageous. This is the fruit of humility.

TWO NEW CHRISTMAS MEDJUGORJE MESSAGES!

Message of December 25, 2006

"Dear children! Also today I bring you the newborn Jesus in my arms. He who is the King of Heaven and earth, He is your peace. Little children, no one can give you peace as He who is the King of Peace. Therefore, adore Him in your hearts, choose Him and you will have joy in Him. He will bless you with His blessing of peace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

ANNUAL APPARITION TO JAKOV ON DECEMBER 25TH 2006

Our Lady gave the following message:

"Today is a great day of joy and peace. Rejoice with me. Little children, in a special way, I call you to holiness in your families. I desire, little children, that each of your families be holy and that God's joy and peace, which God sends you today in a special way, may come to rule and dwell in your families. Little children, open your hearts today on this day of grace, decide for God and put Him in the first place in your family. I am your Mother. I love you and give you my Motherly Blessing."