Author: MSFriend

To Jesus through Mary – what?

Posted on by MSFriend
to Jesus through Mary
To Jesus through Mary!

To Jesus through Mary is what many Catholics imagine when praying the Rosary or thinking about Jesus ‘ first miracle, the wedding feast at Cana. The phrase seems to imply that Mary is our conduit to Jesus or that without Mary we can’t “get” to Jesus. In a sense, that’s true. Think about what our lives would be like if Mary had said no – but that’s not what this post is about.

I recently contemplated what the phrase REALLY means for me. So, on this Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, I wanted to share some thoughts on that.

My Advent Journey

During my morning meditation several weeks ago, I was joyful because Christmas was a little over a week away and my Advent preparation has been amazing. I’ve been journeying through Advent with Mary through a book called Rejoice: Advent Meditations with Mary. The meditations helped me to truly focus on Mary’s wisdom. I was reminded of how she studied and prayed with scripture and how she pondered things in her heart. Mary possessed a strength, confidence and trust that allowed her to accept God’s will for her life. She was unwavering in her faith. Mary was a powerful example of discipleship for her son and she should be a powerful example for us!

So how do I translate “to Jesus through Mary?” What does it mean for me? Of course, through baptism we all begin to develop a relationship with Jesus and yes, we can go straight to Him in prayer. But for me, this phrase is more about how we become more like Him rather than how we approach Him in prayer.

A great example

As all mothers are examples for their children, Mary was an example for Jesus. Although Jesus was divine, He chose to become human for our sake. In His humanity, He chose to remain humble, as His mom was. He didn’t “drop names” to get what He wanted or to change the outcome of certain situations. Instead, He chose to remain human and follow His mom’s example of humility and trust in God.

Jesus was divine and thus, perfect – no doubt. His supernatural gifts came from the Father. But when He chose to become human He became subject to the same trials and temptations we are. Worse, He was subject to massive persecution. Despite all that, Jesus remained steadfast in faith. His faith was unwavering because He trusted in God’s promise. Sound familiar? Where do you think that came from? It came from His mother.

To Jesus through Mary?

So when I hear “to Jesus through Mary” now I think: How can I become more like Jesus? By looking to Mary, Jesus’ prime, shining example of humility, faith, strength and trust. In His humanity – He was who He was and how He was because of the example He had in His mother, Mary.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen! What a gem, scriptural in nature and the background music of the rosary.

Happy New Year! May this year be one of abundant blessings, good health and tremendous spiritual growth. Step out of your comfort zone this year – stretch yourself beyond your perceived limits. Remember God loves you and He’s with you every step of the way! God bless you!


Where are YOU now? Really, spiritually?

Posted on by MSFriend
spiritually childlike
Spiritually childlike

Where are YOU now? Really, where are you spiritually?  The older I get the more I realize I need to “check myself” before I judge or criticize someone else.  Dear friends, I have a secret to share – you’re not perfect……..AND NEITHER AM I!  Look in the mirror.  We all have ways about us that are less than perfect, ways that can use adjusting.  Actually, I would go out on a limb and say there are things about us that are most likely judged and criticized by others.  I can guarantee that there are things we do and say ourselves that we would be quick to judge or criticize about others.

In this same vein, it occurred to me just this morning how much we expect of God.  We expect so much but fail to deliver on what He expects of us.  When things don’t go our way we have the audacity to ask him: “Where are you?”  How often do you think God asks that of us?!  Did I hear you gasp?  Light bulb moment?  I know it was for me this morning.

Spiritually spent?

So, why don’t you ask yourself today – where am I now, spiritually?  Am I the same person I was 20 years ago, 10 years ago, 5 years ago?  Heck, am I the same person I was 2 weeks ago?  Has my spiritual/prayer routine gone unchanged for decades?  I would hope your answer is DEFINITELY NOT!   I would like to believe I am not the same person I was just yesterday.  

Of course, I can ‘t take credit for the positive changes I feel I’ve made up to this point.  To God ALL the glory.  All I can take credit for is “showing up” each day to receive all God has to offer me through prayer, meditation, Scripture, spiritual reading and community (friends and family members that inspire me to be better and do better). How important that is for me to show up so that He can transform me.  He is the potter, I am the clay.

Inspired by Richard Rohr

I began thinking about this today after reading Richard Rohr’s Daily Reflection.  You can read the whole thing here.  Here’s the part that got my attention:

If we do not discover a prayer practice that “invades” our unconscious, and reveals what is hidden, we actually change very little over our lifetime………When you meditate consistently, a sense of your autonomy and private self-importance–what you think of as your “self”–falls away, little by little, as unnecessary, unimportant, and even unhelpful.  The imperial “I,” the self that you likely think of as your only self, reveals itself as largely a creation of your mind.  

Through regular access to contemplation, you become less and less interested in protecting this self-created, relative identity.  You don’t have to attack it; it calmly falls away of its own accord and you experience a kind of natural humility……..In meditation, you move from ego consciousness to soul awareness, from being fear-driven to being love drawn.

Meditation

I started this blog over three years ago when my meditation practice was in it’s “infancy.”  I wanted to share with others how amazing the practice of meditation really is.  I cannot adequately express how deeply it has moved and transformed me.  Want to know how I know I’ve been transformed?  It’s quite simple, I’m an attorney who no longer feels the need to prove to others that I am right.  Actually, I am an attorney who no longer feels the need to be right! That’s “off stage”, of course!

In addition to all that, there’s a particular peace and joy that resides in my innermost being.  A peace and a joy that cannot be shaken no matter the circumstance.  The peace and joy comes from feeling God’s Presence around me at all times.  I no longer have the audacity to ask: “where are you now?” because I know, to steal a line from St. Augustine, He is closer to me than I am to myself.

So every morning I “show up” for meditation.  I say yes to just sitting with God.  I imagine myself on the potter’s wheel as I sit.  Although I may not “feel” anything at times I know He, the potter, is at work. I surrender to His action and Presence in my life.  Yes thoughts creep in every so often. There are days I feel a sense of consolation and then there are days I feel total desolation.  It happens.  It’s all normal and so life changing!  

So, the next time God asks: “Where are you now?” Will you respond as Samuel did?  Will you show up?  Please do and share your experience with me.  God bless you!