— Dr. Barb Jarvis Pauls
WHAT ARE YOU ANXIOUS or distressed about today? What are the uncertainties you are facing in your life? Ask Mary to help you find Jesus in the midst of them.
Prayer: Holy Mary, help us surrender with faith and trust in God’s presence, even when we lose sight of him.
March 24
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
Mary became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit at a young age, and was told by the angel Gabriel that her childless cousin Elizabeth was also pregnant. Shortly after the birth of Jesus, Mary presented him at the Temple. There Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce her heart. How did young Mary make sense of these miraculous proclamations in her life?
Mary didn’t know everything the future held. It was Mary’s great faith that enabled her to surrender her life to God without seeking an explanation. She drew strength from knowing that God can accomplish all things.
Our lives are full of people and events we just don’t understand. Many of us seek solutions and explanations in order to gain a sense of control. Instead, we are called to model Mary’s life of trust, which invites us to surrender all into the hands of the Lord.
— Lauren Nelson
CALL TO MIND one situation in your life that is beyond your knowledge or understanding. Seek Mary’s help to strengthen your faith so that you have the courage to surrender this to God.
Prayer: Mary, help me to accept all the mysteries of my life and be with me as I surrender them to the Lord.
March 25
Solemnity of the Annunciation
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, / and shall call his name Emmanuel / (which means, God with us).” — Matthew 1:23
Mary was a young virgin when the angel Gabriel came to announce that she would bear a son. Upon hearing this news, Mary’s only question was, “How can this be?” She didn’t interrogate or try to bargain with the angel about what was to take place. Mary simply surrendered her life to the power of the Holy Spirit. Knowing that he was with her, she chose to be with him.
The Annunciation has much to teach us about living in this wounded and broken world. No matter how bleak things appear or how violent the world becomes, God is with us today and always. The Lord did not abandon his people of long ago, and he will not abandon us. As Christians, our call is to follow God as Mary did, and surrender our pressing agendas, our movements, and our fears over to the Lord, trusting that he is with us.
— Dr. Mary Amore
CONSIDER THE WAYS that your life reflects the reality that “God is with us.”
Prayer: Mary, help me to have the courage to live each day with the knowledge that God is with us and that I am never alone to face my fears.
March 26
“You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.’” — John 13:13-14
Jesus surrenders in action. He recognizes his relationship with his disciples, but steps out of the role of Lord and teacher to one of servant. This very humble act is an image of surrender.
Mary was always the humble servant; often, simply by being present. She never made things about herself, but always about others, and always focused on Jesus. From the Annunciation, to the wedding in Cana, to her presence at the foot of her Son’s cross, Mary was there as a servant. She was always prepared to surrender herself for others.
— John Holmes
HOW CAN YOU put yourself in service to others?
Prayer: Mother Mary, thank you for your service and your example of service in community. Help me to follow you and your Son in the same way.
March 27
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
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