There is Something About Mary Series – Having the Humility to Say Yes

Ponder:  Do you actively seek God with an open heart, without an agenda and say yes to what He wants you to do? 

After the opening prayers of the rosary, we announce the first mystery and read the relevant Scripture passage slowly with attention, a lectino divina style of praying the scriptures.  Pause for a few moments of silence and then recite the indicated prayers (#5 below) while meditating on that mystery.  You may make a prayer request at the beginning of each decade or offer a Hail Mary for a specific person. 

Pray:  The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation. 

The Angel Gabriel announces the Incarnation to Mary. The fruit of the mystery: Humility.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived^* a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, who was conceived in you by the Holy Spirit. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Pray for us Mary, cause of our joy, that we may follow God’s will in perfect humility.

Amen

Reflect:  Mary, this is your moment when your “yes” changed the world. I can only imagine the monumental courage it required.  What were you thinking when the angel appeared to you and told you that you would be the mother of the savior, the mother of God?  You were just a teenager, a child yourself and what the angel said made no sense.  I cannot imagine where we would be if you had said no.  You are an example to live in courage and trust of God’s will.

Jesus, help me have a humble and pure heart.  I want to put away my agenda to hear the plans that you have for my life.  I pray for patience as those plans are revealed.  Draw me to the silence I need to hear your voice and grant me the wisdom and strength to do what you tell me to do.  Thank you for giving us your mother Mary who helps guide us, prays for us, and serves as an example of how to live our lives in You.  She accepted the gift you gave to her – the gift to be the Mother of God.  How open am I to receiving your gifts?  Help me say yes and accept your gifts and plans without knowing what will happen or how it will end, with only the knowledge that I can play a small part in fulfilling Your divine plan.

Act:  I will pray the Litany of Humility.