Making a Joyful Noise through Lent 03/25/2014

Making a Joyful Noise through Lent – 03/25/2014

“Mary was able to turn a stable into a home for Jesus, with poor swaddling clothes and an abundance of love. She is the handmaid of the Father who sings his praises. She is the friend who is ever concerned that wine not be lacking in our lives. She is the woman whose heart was pierced by a sword and who understands all our pain. As mother of all, she is a sign of hope for peoples suffering the birth pangs of justice. She is the missionary who draws near to us and accompanies us throughout life, opening our hearts to faith by her maternal love. As a true mother, she walks at our side, she shares our struggles and she constantly surrounds us with God’s love….Mary is able to recognize the traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small. She constantly contemplates the mystery of God in our world, in human history and in our daily lives. She is the woman of prayer and work in Nazareth, and she is also Our Lady of Help, who sets out from her town “with haste” (Luke 1:39) to be of service to others.”

(Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel)

Pope Francis offers us a wonderful reflection on the gift of Mary in our lives. He tells us of the many things that we should look for in the life of Mary. Most importantly Pope Francis reminds us that Mary was always able to recognize God’s presence in the important and unimportant moment of life. In other words Mary always remained connected to God.

We take a little break from the purple of Lent today to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation. Mary is invited to be the Mother of Christ and she accepts even though it is an overwhelming invitation and will soon become an overwhelming task. Mary utters “yes” to God’s invitation today and her life and the life of the world was never the same. We owe Mary a lot but we can also learn a lot from her still. Her profound trust in God shows us that all things are possible when our friend is God.

In remembering Mary today we also remember all mothers, all women who say yes to the gift of life. Because of a mother’s yes, life forever changes for her and the world. Another gift gets the chance to enter the world and we get a chance to share in another part of the image and likeness of God.

So I honor all mothers today, those living and those deceased. I especially pray for all expectation mothers, who carry the gift of life within them because they said yes! I remember in a special way all the mothers who have played a role in my life especially my own mother Rita, I am most grateful for her yes, and also Betty, Bernadette, Alice, Rosemarie, Roseann, Alice, Stephanie, Erica, Alexis, Deb, Ann and Sarah (a mother in waiting)! Thank you all for your yes and the many gives you have given me in my life!

I would also like to mention all those women we say “yes” but are not able for some reason to bring the gift of life, a new child, into the world. I pray that they know that they do bring life perhaps not through a child, but through the unique gifts that they bring to the lives of many. I am thinking of many such women in my life, especially two aunts named, Mary Helen, a friend Mary, a niece, Mindy and many others

Have a blessed Tuesday everyone and may Mary be present to you in a special way throughout this day. And don’t forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!

Daily Prayer: O God of Eternal Love, through the loving “yes” of Mary, your Word, Jesus, took flesh in her womb. We pray today that we who believe in Christ as our Redeemer may share in the gift of his presence in our life. We ask for the grace to say yes each day and thus bring about the birth of your Eternal Word in the world once again. May the living of our life today be our “yes” to your love.

We also remember this day all mothers and we ask your blessing through the intercession of Mary upon them. We are grateful for their “yes” to life and for the way they have blessed us with their presence and their love! Amen!

Runner’s Thoughts: “Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.” (William Barclay, Scottish Theologian)

Daily Blessing: Happy Solemnity of the Annunciation everyone and also Tuesday blessings! I hope this finds you well and that your Tuesday has gotten off to a good start.

The mission here at St. Patrick’s in Yorktown Heights, NY has gotton off to a good start. The noon service and the evening one were both well attended and spirit filled. I am looking forward to today’s services and the next few days!

Today’s blessing prayer goes out to you through the intercession of Mary. I pray that God will bless us all with the faith and hope of Mary so that our lives too can be a “yes” to God! I also pray that God will bless all mothers today in gratitude for their “yes”! And a special prayer of blessing for all expecting mothers especially Sarah and Alexis! Blessings on all women for the life they bring to the world! Have a great day everyone and may God’s blessing be with you! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul