CARMEL'S OWN: December 2009

Thursday, December 24, 2009

A Blessed and Happy Christmas

He was born in a stable.

He is the Son of God.

He was conceived by the Virgin Mary.

He did it all for our salvation.

He you and me and you...and all.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Immaculate Conception of Mary

If a very rich mother and father had a great quantity of children, and those children chose to die, and only one survived, that one would inherit everything. Similarly, Adam as well as his children died to grace through original sin. And Mary, the only one exempt of sin, remained the heir of the graces of innocence and of the favors destined to Adam's children. If they had remained in the state of innocence, what richness of gifts they would have received! What favors! God made her the depository of his graces.

The Gospel says that a father left his house early one morning to find hired hands to work in his vineyard. Weren't there people already in that vineyard? Yes, Mary was there; she was born in that vineyard. And what is the vineyard? It is grace. Yes, Mary was born in it, since she was conceived free of sin. As for us, we were called to it, the Father went looking for us; but Mary was always in it. Oh, such a beautiful worker! She is pure, unspoiled. The Good Lord could have created a more beautiful world than this one, but he could not have created a more perfect creature than Mary.

Saint John Mary Vianney

In: Mgr. R. Fourrey, The Virgin Mary and the Cure of Ars, 1989, Ars

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.

Mary's Humility at the Visitation

Since the Virgin was most thoughtful, not only did she go to Elizabeth's house without any conceit about the angel's words, but she even took the first step in greeting her cousin, showing her the respect due to her more advanced age and dignity as a mother. It wasn't Elizabeth who greeted Mary first, but Mary who greeted Elizabeth.

One must observe that Mary, who was superior, went to Elizabeth, who was inferior, and that the Son of God came to the Baptist: this teaches us that we shouldn't hesitate to help those who are inferior to us, and it also teaches us modesty.

Better men go to weaker men to give them some advantage by their visits. Thus the Savior came to John to sanctify John's baptism. And as soon as Mary heard the angel announce that she would conceive the Savior and that her relative Elizabeth was with child, "she rose up in haste and went into the mountain country, and entered Elizabeth's house." Jesus was in her womb, and He hastened to sanctify John, who was still in his own mother's womb.
Origen,

Homily on the Gospel of Luke VII, 1.

Taken from Origen, by Joseph T. Lienhard; Catholic University of America Press, 1996. http://www.mariedenazareth.com/13297.0.html?&L=0

MULTIMEDIA : Pietro Lorenzetti, Madonna dei TramontiOlivier Messiaen, Regard de la Vierge