Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:30, 38
Greetings Prayer Warriors,
Today marks the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary’s fiat, her agreement to surrender her entire life to the Lord, is simply amazing when you reflect upon it. I have to believe that she couldn’t begin to fathom exactly what she was saying yes to. But with grace, everything is possible. So too with our own yeses. We say yes, usually to just the first step or two, grateful at times for our near-sightedness. I have often taken a retrospective look and thought, “If I knew what this journey was going to entail, I might not have said yes to taking that first step!” Thank God for grace!
From Mary’s conception by the Holy Spirit came the inception of the Holy Family. Incredible role models, they embodied everything a family should be (and often suffered great disdain for that.) They were wholly surrendered, humble, loving, self-giving, and respectful of one another. Their entire lives were a living witness of the Beatitudes.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matt 5:3-12
Over the next several days, take some time to contemplate the Beatitudes and examine whether or not you are a living witness within your own family. Are you answering yes to the Lord? Say a prayer asking for grace to be poured out on you and your family to live the Beatitudes as the Holy Family did.
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
