Last week we prayed for husbands, asking them to look at the life of St. Joseph as an inspiration. Today, on the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, the scene of the Virgin Mary’s fiat, we pray for wives. As we pray, let us take our inspiration from the blessed life of the Virgin Mother.
There is such beauty in Mary’s total, unequivocal, “yes!” to the Lord. She held nothing back. If she were a poker player, she would have been “all in!” so confidant was she in her response.
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38
Who cannot be in awe of her complete, faith-filled, blind surrender to the Lord?
As daughters of our heavenly King, let us first meditate on Mary’s relationship with the Lord: submissive, obedient, docile, full of grace, self-denying, and refulgent.
As a wife and mother, the Mary was humble, kind, generous, selfless, chaste, patient, holy, joyful, gentle, steadfast, loving, pure, devoted, long-suffering, a confidante, and a friend.
And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49
If you are a woman, challenge yourself to imitate Mary. If you are a man, encourage all the women in your life to imitate her virtues. If you are a husband, grow in virtue alongside your wife. Please keep all these women in prayer.
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Be countercultural. Encourage others to grow in virtue. Pass it on.
