Admiring Mary

Last night we were sharing with brothers about what we admired in Mary. For me, I admired her collectedness and openness. She did not put a wall the moment the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she will become the Mother of the Messiah. It must have been a very intense situation. Imagine a young lady, just engaged to a man whose reaction she would not know the moment she would say that she’s pregnant and that’s because of the Spirit. Add to the fact that she will be stoned to death if found that she is in that situation. Yet, she was so collected that she was able to follow through what is being said to her and was even able to ask a question.

Her collectedness can only come from grace and deeper understanding of Gods goodness. If not she would have said no. And because she was able to collect everything in her heart, she was open enough to the idea that she can indeed become a mother of Jesus and so the she said, “Be it done to me according to your word.” The rest is Christianity!

I was sharing to the brothers, if only I can have a little of that collectedness and openness of Mary. In a world full of distraction, there is so much need for collectedness and openness. If there is something more I can learn from Mary’s yes in this situation, it will be:

1.  Do not put a wall. How many of us, the moment someone makes us feel special or someone tries to know us deeper, we coil within ourselves and put a wall. Assume, judge and dismiss the person right away. How can possibilities open up with that attitude?

2.  Do not be afraid to take risks. Many of us are contented with our comfort zone, because we are afraid of something unknown. We are afraid of what other people will say. We are afraid that we are not following social norms. Yes, social norms are good but not everything. Love is so creative to be confined to social norms.

3.    It takes three to tango. The angel did his part by announcing the news while Mary did her part as well by not putting a wall and instead allowed the message to flow and collected it into her heart. And God in all His goodness pour down abundant grace enough for the encounter to become life changing.  Are we open enough for others to open up? Do we collect it in our hearts? Then God will do His part.

During the sharings, a question was asked about our own devotion to Mary. So I shared that my devotion aside from the Holy Rosary, is my devotion to the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, because I need miracle in my life. Everyday I need miracle! 

On the eve of the birthday of Mary, 2013.

by aats