— Christine Grano
DO WE LOVE the law of the Lord? What might be our stumbling blocks to peace? Turn to Mary for inspiration and strength.
Prayer: Mary, intercede for us as we aspire to be like you, loving the law of the Lord that brings peace.
January 8
“Finally, brethren, rejoice. Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” — 2 Corinthians 13:11
In this reading, St. Paul encourages us to extend the peace of Christ to one another as brothers and sisters. In this broken world of ours, peace is not readily attainable; nor is it easily sustainable. What does peace look like for you? For our world?
While we may all have different ideas of what peace is and how it can be achieved, Mary invites us to look beyond our earthly realities. As our spiritual mother, Mary shows us how to put on the gift of the everlasting peace of Christ, obeying the commandment to love God and our neighbor.
— Lauren Nelson
THE NEXT TIME you are at Mass, focus on the kiss of peace. Truly pass on Christ’s peace by looking others in the eye and saying a prayer for them.
Prayer: Mary, help me to work for peace. Give me the strength to continue what you began.
January 9
“Do whatever he tells you.” — John 2:5
The Wedding at Cana is one of only a few Gospel stories in which we see Jesus and Mary interacting.
First-century Jewish culture placed a high value on family honor. The wedding celebration was the final step of the ritual marriage process. Running out of wine would have been more than an embarrassment; it would have been a loss of honor for both families.
Mary’s words to Jesus — “they have no wine” — display a compassionate concern for the host. Jesus’ reply, though, seems to lack any concern. Mary responds with peaceful confidence that Jesus will grant her unspoken request. She tells the servers to do whatever he tells you. In the end, they have an abundance of wine, and the host is honored for saving the best until last. Without saying much, a composed Mary quietly directs the action to its amiable resolution.
Mary’s example invites us to be at peace in our personal surrender to God’s will. It also implies that at times it may be uncomfortable to do so.
— Bob Frazee
IF YOU’RE AVOIDING something difficult in your life, pray to Mary for both courage and composure.
Prayer: Hail, Holy Queen, I pray to you for the courage to bring my needs and the needs of others to God and to peacefully accept what God has planned for me.
January 10
“You keep him in perfect peace, / whose mind is stayed on you, / because he trusts in you.” — Isaiah 26:3
Jen is a bubbly, outgoing, loving individual. I met her at the parish where her husband served as a deacon. Together, they have three beautiful children and a close extended family.
Jen’s life changed forever when her fifty-one-year-old husband died of cancer just days before their oldest daughter’s wedding. The following year, her mom died. And just about six months later, Jen’s forty-seven-year-old sister died of a heart attack, suddenly and without warning. In just two short years, Jen’s life was turned upside down. Yet, when we would talk, there was an incredible sense of peace she carried because of her deep faith in God.
Gabriel’s announcement to Mary disrupted her whole world. As a betrothed woman planning a life with Joseph, this was not what Mary thought her life would be. Yet, because of her deep faith in God, Mary was able to remain in peace as she walked a new and unfamiliar road. Mary is our inspiration to stay the course when life is not what we expect.
— Christine Grano
TAKE A MOMENT to recall a time when your life was significantly disrupted.
Prayer: Mary, you can understand fully when life does not go as planned. Pray for us that, in those times, we may receive peace by fixing our eyes on your Son and learn to trust his plan for us.
January 11
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give it to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” —John 14:27
Jesus warns us not to be fooled by the feelings of contentment that can accompany money, power, fame, or success. These do not bring us lasting peace. True peace comes from being in relationship with Our Lord. Jesus can give us peace and restore peace when our souls are troubled. His presence can calm our fears and help us when we meet obstacles in life.
In spite of many hardships, our Blessed Mother lived each day with a peaceful heart, because she and Jesus were united in mind and spirit. As the mother of Our Lord, Mary seeks to walk with us on our spiritual journey. She longs to lead us to her Son so we may experience the profound peace that only Jesus can bring.
— Gina Sannasardo
WHERE IS THE SOURCE of peace in your life? This day, invite Mary to help you to deepen your relationship with Jesus.
Prayer: Blessed Mother, please come close to me. Guide me in my life today so that I might receive the peaceful presence of your Son.
January 12
“And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7
While traveling to Ephesus (in Turkey), I had the opportunity to visit what is believed to have been Mary’s last home. Walking the grounds, I was struck with such a sense of peace. Mary’s life had so many different dimensions, and peace was among them. Luke’s Gospel tells us that Mary listened to the shepherds who came to honor the baby Jesus and reflected on what they said in her heart.
Do we keep the messages that God sends to us in our hearts? When troubles or challenges arise, that is the time for us to be still and listen to what God is saying to us. He may be asking us to change something. Or he may be asking us to just sit peacefully, trusting that he has everything under control.
Mary’s life is a testament to following God’s guidance. And because of that, her life reflected peace. The same is true for us.
— Suzette Horyza
PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER the ways that you can invite the peace of the Lord to fill your heart this day.
Prayer: Mary, help me to be still when difficulties arise, that I may be open to receiving the peace that only Jesus can bring.
January 13
“Her ways are ways of pleasantness, / and all her paths are peace. / She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; / those who hold her fast are called happy.” — Proverbs 3:17-18
This beautiful Scripture speaks eloquently about the peace that comes when one finds wisdom. But we can easily substitute “Mary” as the subject of this prose. In Scripture, few adjectives are attached to Mary. Regardless of what is happening, her demeanor is at peace because she walks with Christ. Mary is also a tree of life, inviting us to cling to her in times of unrest or struggle, to take refuge by her during the great storms of our lives, and to seek shelter and peace in her motherly embrace.
When we cling to Mary, the road to Jesus becomes clear. Her paths are peaceful ones for they lead us to her Son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
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