From yesterday’s reflection, we have come to understand that if we wish to learn from the Blessed Virgin Mary and respond promptly to God’s calling, we must imitate Mary in loving and cherishing everything that God communicates to us. For us, the primary source of God’s message to us is the Holy Scriptures, as it is the most direct and certain message from God. We do not need to discern or verify the truth of what is written in the Bible. We can fully trust and follow the truth and the way that the Bible teaches.

To cultivate a love for the Bible, we must immerse ourselves in it, allowing it to shape and renew us continuously. Through which we let God’s gaze rest upon us, and our own vision will gradually become like His.

Just as when we receive the Eucharist, it is not only Jesus entering us, but we also enter into Him. It is not that Jesus becomes part of us, but rather, we become part of Him. This is a truly astonishing reality! In Matthew 8:8-9, Jesus once praised a centurion for his words of faith: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” (Matthew 8:8-9) Upon hearing these words, Jesus was amazed and praised the centurion’s faith.

But now, Jesus has entered into us with His word as well as the Holy Eucharist, so that we may remain in Him and the Father! This should make us feel extremely honored, but at the same time we should also feel humbled. How could we ever be worthy of God’s presence? And yet, God Himself longs to come to us. Imagine if your most admired figure suddenly appeared at your doorstep, how would you feel and react?

Though the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God, she deeply understood this truth. She did not take God’s words lightly but treasured them, making it a habit to “ponder them in her heart” (cf Luke 2:19).

By immersing herself in God’s word, she shaped her thoughts and vision, making herself more receptive to His messages.

Even though Mary was filled with God’s word and could respond quickly to His call, this did not mean she had no fear of the future.

The angel Gabriel’s words to Mary, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37), affirmed and strengthened her trust in Him.

With unwavering determination, she accepted the Father’s invitation through her response to the angel. At that moment, the Holy Spirit entered Mary and fulfilled God’s plan. Thus, she became the Mother of God!

Mary’s fears about the future were instantly dispelled because she completely placed her trust in the Father and surrendered herself to the protection of the Holy Spirit, allowing the Spirit to take full control of her life.

If we wish to follow Mary’s example and cooperate with God’s plan for us, we must first unite ourselves with Him through His word and the Eucharist. Then, we must allow the Holy Spirit to enter our lives and take the lead, uniting ourselves with Him. This is the perfect state of “communion with God,” where we can courageously offer ourselves to be used by God for His greater glory.

Reflection

Do you value God’s word? Do you have a habit of reading and meditating on it? What attitude towards the word of God can you learn from Mary?

Do you have the faith and humility of the centurion? Do you revere God, or do you take His love for granted?

Do you believe that if you follow God’s will and allow the Holy Spirit to take charge of your life, nothing will be impossible for you?

Today’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to experience the power of Your word, the Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit through the life of Mother Mary. You reminded me to cherish these gifts You have given me to sanctify me, to guide me, to strengthen me, and to accompany me on this pilgrimage on earth.

I realize how ignorant I have been. I failed to cherish and accept these gifts. I did not appreciate the meaning behind them and took them for granted.

Through Mother Mary’s example, I have learned how to unite myself with Your word, the Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit. By allowing the Holy Spirit to be the guide of my life, I can cooperate with the work He desires to accomplish in me, so as to fulfill Your holy will.

I sincerely long to be like Mary, to surrender myself completely to You, and to attain true communion with You.

Please transform and mold me, so that I may draw near to You with humility and reverence, fully believing that with You, nothing is impossible!

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