December
Friday

ONE BRAVE WOMAN
"May it be done to me according to Your word". - Luke 1: 38

Gentle, kind, pure. That's the picture of Mother Mary I have in mind. But she's a lot of qualities not often emphasized when we talk about her.

Woman of great courage. That's how I'd describe her after I read the key passage for today. There are times God would ask us to do something that seems illogical and risky.

In Mary's time, there's only one punishment for pregnancy before marriage: the person will be stoned to death. Furthermore, she'd be a disgrace since the people would look upon her as immortal.

If the same thing would happen to me, I'm not sure whether I'd have the courage to respond to God in the same manner. To think that, in modern days, being pregnant out of wedlock isn't unusual anymore.

Mary's acceptance of God's will in her life reflected how much she loved God and sought to obey Him. My prayer is for God to give us the same Spirit He bestowed upon Mary. May God's love and our own love for Him compel us to respond the same way Mary did. Gina A. Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

REFLECTION:
Give me the faith to join Mary in saying, "Be it done to me according to Your word."

Almighty Father, grant me a heart to obey You no matter what the cost.

St. Romaric,
abbot,
pray for us.