Key Message:
Mamma Mary will cover us under Her mantle!! As with Jesus, She will be walking with us in all our joys and sorrows. Let us surrender ourselves and our families to her. Homily:
Beautiful lessons from Mamma Mary’s life:
Trusting in God’s care:
When the Angel Gabriel announced to Mother Mary that She would have a child, Mamma Mary’s only question was: “How will this happen, since I am a virgin?” Mother Mary never questioned the Angel Gabriel by asking, “What will people think of me? Won’t they punish me by throwing stones at me? How will I convince Joseph that I am a pure virgin?” Instead of these statements, Mamma’s response was “I am the handmaid of God. Let it be done to me according to His will”. Mother Mary never worried about herself. She rested confidently in God and surrendered all her cares to God. When we undergo difficulties in our life, we get perplexed easily on how to solve problems. Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Just by worrying we cannot solve our problems. Like Mother Mary, let us also trust God to take care of us.
Asking “Why not me?” instead of “Why me?”
Mother Mary experienced multiple challenges in her life. Though She was ‘Mother of God’, She suffered more humiliation, more poverty, more injustice than any of us. She had to see Her own son being crucified on the cross, suffering and dying. Mother Mary’s life answers a difficult question which we ask at many instances in our life – “Why me, why me?” Mother Mary had the highest privilege among humans – being ‘Mother of God’. But She had to walk through the valley of tears all through Her life. Though She was sinless, She was not spared from suffering. She just lived and showed “Why not me?”
Waiting in prayer for answers:
In today’s Gospel we see that our Mother Mary had not revealed the truth that She had conceived by the power of Holy Spirit to Saint Joseph. She knew that Saint Joseph was aware of Her condition, but He was not aware of the complete truth. She chose to be silent, waiting in prayer for God to do the speaking part. Sometimes when we undergo unjust treatment, it is good to wait on God to do the speaking part rather than us. Are we relying on God’s vindication? When we rely on God to save us, then He will send His angels to work for us. Angels do far better than us!!
Going through surprising challenges:
Mother Mary and Saint Joseph were not aware that they had to travel to Bethlehem when Mother Mary was in the final stage of pregnancy. They were not rich enough to hire carts. And not even rich to own two donkeys, so that both of them can ride on their donkeys. All they had was a donkey for Mother Mary to ride on in her final stages of pregnancy. Mother Mary never got frustrated or cried over her status. She understood these troubles are also part of God’s plan, so proceeded sweetly on the same.
Can we have a special devotion to Mother Mary and honour her as our dear sweet mother?
Key Message:
Mamma Mary will cover us under Her mantle!! As with Jesus, She will be walking with us in all our joys and sorrows. Let us surrender ourselves and our families to her.
Homily:
Beautiful lessons from Mamma Mary’s life:
Trusting in God’s care:
When the Angel Gabriel announced to Mother Mary that She would have a child, Mamma Mary’s only question was: “How will this happen, since I am a virgin?” Mother Mary never questioned the Angel Gabriel by asking, “What will people think of me? Won’t they punish me by throwing stones at me? How will I convince Joseph that I am a pure virgin?” Instead of these statements, Mamma’s response was “I am the handmaid of God. Let it be done to me according to His will”. Mother Mary never worried about herself. She rested confidently in God and surrendered all her cares to God. When we undergo difficulties in our life, we get perplexed easily on how to solve problems. Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Just by worrying we cannot solve our problems. Like Mother Mary, let us also trust God to take care of us.
Asking “Why not me?” instead of “Why me?”
Mother Mary experienced multiple challenges in her life. Though She was ‘Mother of God’, She suffered more humiliation, more poverty, more injustice than any of us. She had to see Her own son being crucified on the cross, suffering and dying. Mother Mary’s life answers a difficult question which we ask at many instances in our life – “Why me, why me?” Mother Mary had the highest privilege among humans – being ‘Mother of God’. But She had to walk through the valley of tears all through Her life. Though She was sinless, She was not spared from suffering. She just lived and showed “Why not me?”
Waiting in prayer for answers:
In today’s Gospel we see that our Mother Mary had not revealed the truth that She had conceived by the power of Holy Spirit to Saint Joseph. She knew that Saint Joseph was aware of Her condition, but He was not aware of the complete truth. She chose to be silent, waiting in prayer for God to do the speaking part. Sometimes when we undergo unjust treatment, it is good to wait on God to do the speaking part rather than us. Are we relying on God’s vindication? When we rely on God to save us, then He will send His angels to work for us. Angels do far better than us!!
Going through surprising challenges:
Mother Mary and Saint Joseph were not aware that they had to travel to Bethlehem when Mother Mary was in the final stage of pregnancy. They were not rich enough to hire carts. And not even rich to own two donkeys, so that both of them can ride on their donkeys. All they had was a donkey for Mother Mary to ride on in her final stages of pregnancy. Mother Mary never got frustrated or cried over her status. She understood these troubles are also part of God’s plan, so proceeded sweetly on the same.
Can we have a special devotion to Mother Mary and honour her as our dear sweet mother?