Mary: Pilgrim of Faith and Companion in the Journey Jubilee Year 50 years in Your Word Mama Mary (Week 2) - Mar. 11-17, 2013 Objective of the week: As bearers of the Word of God, we walk with Mama Mary to accompany others in life’s journey. You may also download the printable versions below (.doc and .pdf):
IntroductionWe started last week to ponder about our Mother Mary and how her constant yes to the call of God led her to make flesh the Word of God in her life. This week we will ponder on how the ‘yes’ of our Mother leads her to a pilgrimage of faith. The journey of Mary helps us to understand also our personal, daily pilgrimage with Christ and as his witnesses. After receiving the message of the angel Gabriel to her, “Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea…” (c.f. Lk 1:39) Mary was prompt in delivering the message of salvation amidst discomfort and obstacles along the way. She recognized the urgency of bringing God’s Word fresh and at the reach of Elizabeth in time. The sensitivity of Mary to the needs of God in the lives of others led her in her pilgrimage. Many lives are waiting for us Verbum Dei, to be companions in their journey of faith. Our founder walked with Mary in the mission entrusted to him. “Mother, give me something to share with my people” -Fr. Jaime Bonet’s prayer in his new assignment in the parish of Mallorca. Let us learn to journey with Mother Mary this week in her pilgrimage so as to accompany others in theirs. MondayMother Mary, show us how to walk with faith Our life here on earth is a constant pilgrimage. And our own Mother Mary teaches us through her life how to live as pilgrims in the path of faith: listening to the Word of God and putting it into practice. Luke 1:39-45 39 Soon afterwards Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. 40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me? 44 For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. 45 How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!” Reflection: Do I see my life as a constant pilgrimage? Like Mary, do I keep the faith in God's Words in the midst of life's daily challenges? TuesdayMother Mary, accompany us in our journey with Christ In our journey of life, we encounter many difficult situations. Mother Mary, through her companionship, is teaching us to recognize Jesus who walks with us in the midst of our difficulties. Luke 24:13-16, 28-32 13 On that same day two of Jesus' followers were going to a village named Emmaus, about eleven kilometres from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them; 16 they saw him, but somehow did not recognize him. 28 As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther; 29 but they held him back, saying, “Stay with us; the day is almost over and it is getting dark.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 He sat down to eat with them, took the bread, and said the blessing; then he broke the bread and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Wasn't it like a fire burning in us when he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” Reflection: Do I find time to stop and recognize God's presence in my daily life? What are those situations where I find God walking with me? WednesdayMother Mary, teach us to go with promptness Learn from our Mother Mary the sensitivity and compassion to the needs of others. In spite of her situation, she set aside her own condition and willingly attended to the needs of her cousin, Elizabeth. Mark 6:30-34 30 The apostles returned and met with Jesus, and told him all they had done and taught. 31 There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his disciples didn't even have time to eat. So he said to them, “Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest for a while.” 32 So they started out in a boat by themselves for a lonely place. 33 Many people, however, saw them leave and knew at once who they were; so they went from all the towns and ran ahead by land and arrived at the place ahead of Jesus and his disciples. 34 When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw this large crowd, and his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things. Reflection: As bearers of the Word of God, do we recognize that the problems or situations of others are greater than our own? Are we willing to forget about ourselves and our own problems if we see others in need of our help? ThursdayMother Mary, open our hearts to the needs of God for our brothers and sisters Our Mother Mary knew how much our Father loved us and what are our needs. Because of her "yes", God’s plan of salvation was fulfilled. John 21:15-19 15 After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my lambs.” 16 A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 A third time Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” so he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep. 18 I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will bind you and take you where you don't want to go.” 19 (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, “Follow me!” Reflection: Are we sensitive to the call of Jesus to be the shepherd of His flock? As His disciples, what can we do today in order to lead them to Jesus? FridayMother Mary, help us to persevere in the journey One thing is to start and another thing is to continue. Mother Mary knew that to fulfill the will of God is to persevere step by step along the way. Hebrews 1:12 12 As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. John 15:4 4 Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can only do so if it remains in the vine. Reflection: As a community of faith, do we recognize the need to continue and persevere in the journey for God and for others? SaturdayMother Mary, help us to be companions to others in this pilgrimage of life By God’s grace, we are sent to accompany others with love and faith like Mary. VD Statues “Mary, all and only love, engenders, forms, educates and accompanies through the same steps of Jesus, all those who are willing to follow him to the greatest proofs and extremes of love." Sunday5th Sunday of LentFirst Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21 – “Doing something new”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126 – “The Lord has done great things” Second Reading: Philippians 3:8-14 – “Straining forward” Gospel Reading: John 8:1-11 – “Neither do I condemn you” Comments are closed.
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