Reflection for January 1
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Just as "they" were told. Just as it had been told to "them." "All" who heard were amazed.
Mary taking all this in, reflecting in her heart, watching the profound unfold...
Today I reflect on how it all began for Mary. Not being told with others.
Not having others see or hear and then tell her. The ask was BIG. She was essentially alone in making the decision to say "yes." Alone in her believing. Alone in allowing God to use her to bring living Hope into our world.
This world can be very hard and challenging to faithfully navigate. We are here to believe for and with one another...and what a gift that is. That said, there are those times it feels God is asking us to believe alone.
Do you ever feel that way? I know I do.
Perhaps it is in a very deep place where we don't have words to adequately express what we are confronting. Or maybe a place that those closest to us, even those who love us best, are not capable of understanding. Yet God is asking us to walk through this situation, circumstance or season, inviting our hearts to be the birthing place of new Hope.
Mary KNOWS this place.
And as our Heavenly Mother, she is deeply attuned to our every pain, question, confusion and desire.
We certainly honor Mary by gratefully meditating on her life, who she was, and what she allowed God to do through her. I believe we also honor Mary by acknowledging her grace-filled presence every day, inviting her into these alone places, knowing she KNOWS, allowing her to pray with us and for us.
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee... Right now, where in our hearts and our lives might we invite Mary in with us? Blessed are you Mary, among women, and Blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus...
Gina Flanagan