Nothing burneth in hell but self-will.
Therefore it hath been said, "Put off thine own will, and there will be no more hell."
- Theologia Germanica [1518]
(How does it feel to be indulging self-will? Willingness? Pray for the grace to be accepting of God's will.)
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IS 7:10-14; PS 24:1-2, 3-4AB, 5-6
LK 1:26-38
In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
Reflection on the Scriptures |
When Mary said her “yes,” she couldn’t have imagined the hardships that were to come: the threats to her family from the beginning; a life of raising a son that was never fully hers; the horror of watching your beloved son endure unbelievable torture and death. Yet, Mary will always be the epitome of what women should be. Her grace and humbleness entwined with her strength and faith makes her
the perfect role model for women in general and specifically for mothers. I see her as a kind, benevolent soul who knew how to love and someone who is so approachable. I readily pray to her daily and go on my knees to her when I’m concerned about my children or grandchildren. I always feel she understands my fears and hopes for my children and grandchildren. My prayers to her (in addition to the Hail Mary) are often from mothers talking to mothers, seeking guidance and affirmation,
searching for justification of my or my children’s actions. I stand in awe of her life and faith . . .
- by Nancy Shirley
Revelations of Divine Love
- by Julian of Norwich
Fourteenth Revelation, Chapter 53
“In every soul that shall be saved is a Godly Will that never assented to sin, nor ever shall.” “Ere that He made us He loved us, and when we were made we loved Him”
And in this endless Love man’s Soul is kept whole, as the matter of the Revelations signifieth and sheweth: in which endless Love we be led and kept of God and never shall be lost. For He willeth we be aware that our Soul is a life, which life of His Goodness and His Grace shall last in Heaven without end, Him loving, Him thanking, Him praising. And right the same that we shall be without end, the same we were treasured in God
and hid, known and loved from without beginning.
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