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| Mary's womb: the first Tabernacle |
But the one word that, for me, encompasses all the others and summarizes all that is Advent leading up to Christmas when Jesus Christ is born to us, that word is Mary.
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| Mary's lap: the first altar of worship |
She represents the hope, the expectation, the longing for a Messiah. It is Mary whose "yes" begins the fulfillment of God's promise to send a Redeemer. Mary waits while the Word Made Flesh dwells in the darkness of her womb. She prepares for his coming lovingly sewing His swaddling clothes. She longs for the day when the Son of God will be born like the sun rising in the East to bring light to the world. Mary, the Mother of God, is Advent's icon.
Sister Lucia of Fatima loved Our Lady profoundly and she presents her to us in Eucharistic language
fitting for Advent meditation:
Mary is the first living Tabernacle where the Father enclosed His Word. Her Immaculate Heart is the first Monstrance that sheltered Him. Her lap and Her arms were the first altar and the first throne upon which the Son of God made man was adored. There the Angels, the Shepherds, and the wise men of the earth adored Him. Mary is the first Who took the Son of God in Her pure and Immaculate hands and brought Him to the Temple to offer Him to the Father as a victim for the salvation of the world.If you want to live advent well in fulfillment of the hope of salvation -- walk the advent journey with Mary. Mary, Mother of the Savior, pray for us.
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| Mary's arms: the first Monstrance |
MARY, THE MYSTICAL CITY
ReplyDeleteMary, Mystical City
where Jesus, our Savior, resides
look down on us with pity
who are carried with the tides
Will we ever fathom
the greatness of Your being
satan spitting his venom
to prevent our souls from healing
But You, God’s living Tabernacle
are constantly pointing to Your Son
to prevent us from sudden debacle
to bring us the Victory already won
We cry out to You, Oh Mystical City
to pull us out of the dangerous sinkholes
we are willing to be gritty
to save our eternal souls
Mary, our Mother spread Your Mantle over us to keep us safe in Your City.
Rita Biesemans written 11-29-2013
MARY, SWEETEST OF ALL MOTHERS
ReplyDeleteOh Thou,
most beautiful a woman
most tender of all mothers
most brilliant STAR of DAVID
Masterpiece of God's creation
to the Holy Trinity
most precious Pearl
towards your Son the Golden Bridge
Golden Gate
to the Holy City
thru which our Savior
came and comes
Most sacred Vessel
ever
containing the most Holy
My soul,
is drowning
in the beauty of your eyes
in the sweetness of your smile
in the burning oven of your heart
in the greatness of your littleness
in the eloquence of your silence
in the mystery of your simplicity
Oh Thou,
safest of my earthly havens
dearest hiding-place of mine
truly my refuge
my sweetest, sweetest mother
keep me with your Son Divine
save me from the worldly evils
strengthen my so fragile faith
cover me
with your motherly mantle
Oh Mary, you most gentle
Your child I am FOREVER !!!
Rita Biesemans
August 10 1999 Feast of Saint Lawrence
I read somewhere that of course Joseph had made a beautiful crib for Baby Jesus and they had to leave it behind in Nazareth. All their preparation - the work of their hands - had to be left behind but that they thought they'd be back after the census counting was over. Instead they went to Egypt.
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