sept 2021 faithposting

It’s so rare to see pictures of Mary as a child! How precious & beautiful!

I love the images of her birth, too– the angels attending, the joy on everyone’s faces, the light and the color… the strangely sweet fact that Saint Anne lies blessed in bed, her pure daughter being held and adored by so many other women: Mary being “gifted” from the moment of her birth, as she would give of herself so totally to God for the sake of all those people, as her Son would then do perfectly in His own life and death… the new Eve and new Adam. Her life was one big graceful gift, really, always lived lovingly for others. I wonder if those women holding her as an infant could feel that inherent promise, that new birth destined through her for their salvation… the fact that they were holding the virgin who would spiritually become their Mother, too. They would be infants cradled in her heavenly arms, with joy ineffable, their souls just as new as hers was now in this world, in that sacred present moment.

The angelic imagery in the first picture is amazing towards that end– Saint Michael casting the devil from heaven, the tempting fruit of Eve tossed away with it, to be replaced by the Host above, the fruit to be born in Mary, which is Christ, Whom Gabriel with his glorious banner would soon proclaim to the Virgin here birthed.

It’s all such a beautiful mystery to meditate on today. Thanks be to God for Mary!!

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“In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.”

— Saint Therese of Lisieux

Mary's glance, towards us, is sweet and kind enough to melt any heart… but that same graceful glance is the terror of all hell! Take comfort in this wonder, which brings you both consolation and courage. As long as you meet her merciful eyes, no devil will dare draw near.

She cares for us all, too, as our tender-hearted Mother, embracing us as the salvifically adopted siblings of her Son. She will never abandon you; she delights in helping those that Christ personally entrusted to her incomparable protection.


“Today, the reformation of our nature begins, & the aging world is transformed anew to the divine likeness & receives the beginning of a second formation by God” 

St. Andrew of Crete

Reflect on that. In Mary’s birth, the birth of Christ was made possible! In her “Fiat,” He was made flesh! Mary is the dawn, Christ is the perfect day… Mary is the gate, Christ is the heavenly Way. Today, the sun rises on a dark world; today, a road home is paved for the lost. Today, Mary heralds the beginning of all hope. May we rejoice in all that God did and does and will do through her– may we rejoice that she is the Mother of Christ!

 

So… Happy birthday, mom! 💙💙💙

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“Heaven is filled with converted sinners of all kinds, and there is room for more.”

— St. Joseph Cafasso

This. I need this emblazoned on my heart, to shine courageously my worst days. Despair screams in refutation, but… the truth is clear on the Cross. Heaven rejoices to save sinners. Heaven embraces them in their struggles. Heaven guides their steps until they arrive at its doorstep, however beaten and scarred. The Father still waits for His prodigal children.

There is room yet for me in heaven, too. Thanks be to God.

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koinohnia:

The fact that you’re willing to wake up and share God’s love with someone today is really awesome—because not a lot of people care like that.
Maybe you don’t talk about Him a lot but the way you live and treat others with mercy and grace can also help them.

If you don’t talk about God a lot, make a sincere effort to do so with love today. If you are lacking in zeal for souls, take the time to pray for others today who you would not usually pray for, and reach out to help the same. Even in little ways, we can bring the presence and power of Christ to others, by channeling His Love and Mercy. Let grace use you like a paintbrush, to bring God’s healing beauty to bruised souls.

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Every test & trial comes to us from the Hand of God. Be grateful, joyously so, and trust Him. He is drawing you ever nearer to Him along the way of the Cross.

I’m in the doctor’s office again right now so this is very relevant.

I tend to feel much closer to God when I’m sick regardless. It’s a “memento mori” sort of thing– I’m closer to death in illness than I am on a rare good day. And sometimes that storm is too terrifying to look at, so I desperately seek the only comfort and shelter there is… the Face of Christ.

Focus on Him. He is the Lord of the storm, too.

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The Rosary is a weapon, not a necklace. You don't carry around a sword 'for looks' unless you are utterly dishonoring its purpose, and by extension, your own integrity. Pride is an ugly thing that will gleefully garnish itself without respect in order to hide its own rotten visage. Only pride has the gall to desecrate sacred things for the sake of decoration-- only pride will adorn instead of adore.

Pray your rosary. Honor it. Carry it with humility and purpose. Use it as it was meant to be used-- in spiritual warfare, not carnal vanity.

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The Blessed Virgin Mary, in her appearance as Our Lady of La Salette, has always struck my heart most deeply. This face of hers-- weeping yet serene, crowned with pearls and roses-- is the face of a beloved mother to me, a mother whose sorrowful heart I dearly wish to console, whose warnings of mercy I strive to heed. She is beautiful but she is quietly terrible, gilded with chains and reminding us of sovereign Justice. But I love her so much the more for that. I love that absolute honesty, that glory of Heaven she manifests in its ineffable purity-- and the consequences our sins against that purity will have if we do not repent, if we do not refashion our damaged hearts to more closely resemble hers, with its swords and roses both. Mary is always a Mother, always a presence of compassion and gentleness, but like any good mother, she will always admonish us for our disobedience, pointing us strongly in the right direction. Thank God for Mary.