Mass Cards Online
| Mary: Disciple For All Seasons |
 |
 |
 |
 Mary broke into human history not only as the mother of Jesus but as his disciple for all seasons as well. From the moment she gave her consent to bear him in her womb all the way to her aloneness in grief at the foot of his cross, it was one continuous "Yes, Lord" to all that life had in store for her, according to the Father's designs and the mission that was distinctly hers. She taught Jesus how to walk long before others were invited to walk with him. She taught him how to speak long before others were asked to spread his word. By her own loving and caring, she taught him how to love and care for others long before he died for them on the cross. So much of his human personality must have rubbed off from her. And yet, he was to be her Master, and she, just his handmaid. What was her secret? How was she able to do all these things with such constancy and fidelity? Throughout those long years in an unknown place called Nazareth, she must have experience the sacredness of the ordinary, the sacrament of the routine, the liturgy of daily life. Through all seasons--rain or shine, calmness or storm--she was there. Always there. Available, accessible, approachable. In Luke 1: 39-45, we are reminded of this reality. Mary was already pregnant when she was told of her aging cousin's own pregnancy. The first thing Mary did was to travel for many, many miles just to be with her cousin Elizabeth. For three months, according to the Gospel story, Mary stayed with Elizabeth, caring for her and helping her in any way she could. This is the Mary of Christian history: Always in action for others. Her whole life was a life of giving, the giving of herself. She was rich all right, rich with God's loving presence. And this was what she shared selflessly at the sacrifice of her own self. What then does the devotion to Mary mean for us today? How do we relate to her? Is it more to ask her for favors from her son? Or is it more to relate to her by following her way of life, to be more and more like her in the following of Christ? In other words, do we relate to her more as someone we run to when we need something from her son or more as a source of courageous inspiration in our human journey to God? - Fr. Ruben Tanseco, SJ |
spacer
spacer
Warning: preg_match() [function.preg-match]: Delimiter must not be alphanumeric or backslash in /home/phjesui1/public_html/modules/mod_s5_box/tmpl/default.php on line 23
The more than 300 men of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus serve in five universities, numerous schools for basic education, two diocesan major seminaries, three urban and five rural parishes... (READ MORE)
Thank you for considering a donation to help our mission.
Your gift will be much appreciated and put to good use. Be assured, too, that you will be with us in our prayers, Masses and apostolic works, even as we also ask you to continue to pray for us.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
JOSE C. J. MAGADIA, S.J.
Provincial
Curious about something? Trying to find a Jesuit?
Or just want to give us some feedback?
Send us a quick note!