A Catholic Monthly Magazine

Tag Archive for ‘Mary’

The Annunciation and Us

In his General Audience of 23 October 2013, Pope Francis said, At the Annunciation, the Messenger of God calls Mary ‘full of grace’ and reveals his plan to her. Mary answers ‘yes’, and from that moment Mary’s faith receives new light: it is concentrated on Jesus, the Son of God, who took flesh from her […]

Saturday 21 December

Song of Songs 2:8-14; Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Luke 1:39-45 You, too, are a Christ-bearer There is something about some people — a quality that you can experience, but cannot put into words. “For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy”. We all carry the Christ within […]

Friday 20 December

Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 1:26-38 No fanfare The most significant announcement in human history: the Word is God. He made all things. The Word becomes flesh in the womb of Mary. No rush of wind, no earthquake, no thunder and lightning. Well, sure, an angel appearing is a bit of a giveaway. God usually […]

Monday 9 December

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (S) Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38 Let it be Mary’s “yes” is thoughtful and considered, but it is unqualified. She could have said “no”. That is the astounding power everyone possesses. Without the freedom to say “no”, love is not possible. Mary’s […]

Tuesday 8 October

Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 130; Luke 10:38-42 Martha welcomed Jesus Jesus loved his friends Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus who lived in Bethany. When Martha welcomed Jesus into their home, Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking”. Martha, doing what needed to be done in the kitchen, became distracted because she […]

Tuesday 24 September

Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20; Psalm 122; Luke 8:19-21 Mary lived by faith Mothers will understand how Mary and her relations felt as they stood at the edge of the crowd and claimed their right to talk to Jesus. Did she feel rebuffed when she was told that her son valued the bonds among those who […]

The Helping Hand of Mary

When we pray to Mary we can pray to her anywhere – in the quiet of our homes, at church, on our way to somewhere. We can also pray to Mary at a special pilgrimage site where Mary’s presence is especially honoured. There’s Lourdes in France, Guadalupe in Mexico and Montserrat in Spain, among many […]

Sunday 21 July

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:24-28;Luke 10:38-42 Labels It’s very easy to label Martha a fusspot and to leave it at that! However, if we take the time to trace her development in the gospel of John [chapter 11], we see that she is the one who greets Jesus after […]

Friday 31 May

THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Zephaniah 3:14-18; Canticle of Isaiah, 12:2-6; Luke 1:39-56 Our example What a celebration. Mary, recently chosen by God to bear the Messiah, thinks of her family. Her older cousin needs help. She sets off to Ain Karim, 90 miles away, where Elizabeth lived. This beloved story is part […]

Thursday 30 May

Acts 18:1-8; Psalm 98; John 16:16-20 Evangelising the world Jesus’ followers were puzzled by the many references to time away. “A little time”, and “going away”. He was preparing them for when he returned to heaven. Their real work would then begin. To evangelise the world. They had received three years of intense training from […]