Scripture for
meditation: Genesis 3:15
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between
your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his
heel.”
Scripture for
reflection: Revelation 12:1-5, 9
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with
the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head, a crown of twelve
stars. Because she was with child, she wailed aloud in pain as she labored to
give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky: it was a huge dragon,
flaming red, with seven heads and ten horns; on his heads were seven diadems….Then
the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, ready to devour her
child when it should be born. She gave birth to a son - a boy destined to
shepherd all the nations with an iron rod. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent
known as the devil or Satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he
was hurled down to earth and his minions with him.
From a homily delivered at the Council of Ephesus by Saint Cyril of
Alexandria, Bishop: Mary, Mother of God, we salute you. Precious vessel,
worthy of the whole world’s reverence, you are an ever-shining light, the crown
of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy, an indestructible temple, the place that
held him whom no place can contain, mother and virgin. Because of you the holy
gospels could say: Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord. We salute you, for in your holy womb he, who is
beyond all limitation, was confined. Because of you the holy Trinity is
glorified and adored; the cross is called precious and is venerated throughout
the world; the demons are put to flight; the devil, that tempter is thrust down
from heaven; the fallen race of man is taken up on high; all creatures
possessed by the madness of idolatry have attained knowledge of the truth;
believers receive holy baptism, the oil of gladness is poured out; the Church
is established throughout the world; pagans are brought to repentance. What
more is there to say? Because of you the light of the only-begotten Son of God
has shone upon those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death; prophets
pronounced the word of God; the apostles preached salvation to the Gentiles;
the dead are raised to life and kings rule by the power of the Holy Trinity. (Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Compiled and edited by John E. Rotelle, O.S.A., Catholic Book Publishing Co.,
New York, 1988)
Prayer: Hail,
holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve,
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this our exile show unto us the
blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus;
O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve,
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this our exile show unto us the
blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus;
O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
My thoughts:
It is so awesome to see the results of Mary’s fiat! St. Cyril of Alexandria
points out events which occurred because Christ came into the world. Mary had
to say “yes” before that could happen. It makes me realize how important every
life is to God, how a mother’s “yes” to the birth of her child can change the
world. Our ‘yes’ to God in all aspects of our lives can do the same. It was not
easy for Mary to bear the Son of God. In fact, in her time, she faced a death
by stoning since she was unwed and pregnant. In our world, bearing the truth
about God and His word can bring ridicule and scorn upon us. We can be outcast
for trying to uphold the sanctity of life at all stages, for believing in a
moral plan for life, for openly living and practicing our faith. Let us
remember the words of St. Cyril which bring to mind all the marvelous events
which came from the birth of the Savior, and let us vow to let God’s will be
done in us. It isn’t easy, but I don’t recall anyone ever saying that saving the
world from itself would be easy!
Our prayer to God:
Today, let us reflect on the courage and strength of Mary. If we are facing a
difficult decision, especially one that we feel God is calling us to make, let
us turn to Mary, our Mother, and ask her to help us find the inner conviction
of our beliefs, and then to do the right thing.
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