Mary, Mentor & Model Ave Maria, Ave In the Quiet, Liam Lawton, GIA Publications (2002) Who so kind might step into our lives. for Christ-like Hearts Who so fine might walk with us in life. Words of hope, you breath within our hearts. Words of love to call us from the dark. Guide us on the journey. Show to us the way. Be our home of resting, Our comfort when we stray. Who so good might humbly bow to God. Guide us in your wisdom Saying YES, accepting of the Word. And your blessing share, Crowned with love, you offer us God’s peace. As we come rejoicing, O that we might come and taste the feast! Ave Maria, ave! Guide us on the journey. Show to us the way. Be our home of resting, Our comfort when we stray. Guide us in your wisdom And your blessing share, As we come rejoicing, Who so young might know when fear comes near. Standing close, you long for us to hear Words of MERCY that tell about your Son, Words of CALM to heal the broken one. Ave Maria, ave! 1 Guide us on the journey. Guide us on the journey. Show to us the way. Show to us the way. Be our home of resting, Be our home of resting, Our comfort when we stray. Our comfort when we stray. Guide us in your wisdom Guide us in your wisdom And your blessing share, And your blessing share, As we come rejoicing, As we come rejoicing, Ave Maria, ave! Ave Maria, ave! Full-hearted Acceptance Annunciation Graciousness Receptivity – Openness -- Readiness “How can this be . . . ?” Emptiness to listen Humility, Servant-response Gave up her reputation Non-defensive manner of receiving interruptions to her plans Focus on the issue at hand vs. reactionary remarks “I am the servant of the Lord . . .” Annunciation Courage & Faith: (1) No master plan was detailed, (2) Faced stoning, (3) No “Pollyanna” She had the freedom to say “No.” Visitation LIFE-ALTERING MESSAGES: Unexpected announcements or interruptions to personal plans can evoke anxiety. Mary replaced fear with faith. • How do I receive interruptions to my plans? • How do I respond to messengers who bring life-altering news? • When I am the messenger of God for another person, does my manner evoke fear or faith? “My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord. . .” 2 Visitation Selfless . . . Compassionate MAGNIFICAT MOMENTS: Notoriety, public honor, talent, or giftedness can easily engage the “false self.” Called to be an instrument in salvation history, Mary recognized that she was the blessed beneficiary of the graciousness of God. Rather than bask in personal honor, she focused the glory on God and gave her energy to the need of Elizabeth. Ability to put things in perspective Ability to prioritize needs vs. wants Outreach to need in the midst of her own need Humility that highlights God’s covenant Knowledge of Scripture (Magnificat) “Present moment” over “agenda” . . . Stayed three months Nativity “Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.” • How responsive am I when the needs of another person come to my attention? • In times of success and failure, do I glorify God by recalling who I am and Whose I am? • Is it my practice to validate the action of God within the souls of others? Obedient . . . Did not seek exception . . . No complaint Experiences vulnerability and the mercy of others Knows inconvenience and hardship . . . Accepts and appreciates whatever God provides Willing to share the Infant Jesus . . . Non-possessiveness Better vs. Bitter Contemplative Self-controlled Patient Endurance (Equanimity) As gracious with the poor as she is with the wealthy Nativity Presentation HEART SPACES: Like Mary, we are called to give birth to Christ in our daily living. The human heart can be a crowded inn or a receptive manger. • Is my heart today a crowded inn or a receptive manger ? • Am I a bearer of Good News to persons bound by fear? • Where in my life do I need to hear God’s angel say, “Do not be afraid”? “. . . and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword . . .” 3 Luke 2: 22-35 • Obedient to lawful authority • Respectful of rite, ritual, and customs of faith tradition Luke 2: 33 • In a continual process of learning, discovery . . . • Not acting out a script • Living with questions • Acceptance without understanding Luke 2: 34 • Responded with trust in the face of challents • Long-suffering vs. bitterness & paralysis • Lived in the present; trusted the future to Divine Providence Flight into Egypt “Get up . . . and flee into Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise.” Presentation SIMEON-ANNA INTERVENTIONS: Prophetic voices, validating feedback, and comforting messages are graced interventions. Mary accepted with open hands and heart the twoedged sword of prophecy. • Where am I needed to provide life-giving support today? • Who have been the Annas and Simeons in my life history? • How well do I honor the rituals of my faith tradition? Believe in dreams and intuition Refugees, Immigrants Uprooting New Beginnings Negotiated “unknowns” Without family, friends, support system . . . ??? If they knew, how did they feel that the Innocents were sacrificed for the sake of Jesus? Flight into Egypt The Return to Nazareth EGYPT ESCAPES: Herod considered Jesus as a competitor, a threat to his power and control. Innocents were murdered to calm his fear. Jesus was saved because Joseph trusted his dream-intuition and took his family to Egypt for safety. When “herods” threaten the life within, God advises the soul to flee to Egypt. Egypt is wherever the soul finds security. • What am I afraid of losing? What fear(s) hold my heart captive like Herod? • Who or what is a “Herod” to me, seeking to smother life within me? • Where is my “Egypt”— the place I seek for safety? “ They set out for the land of Israel.” “ Because of a warning received in a dream . . . Galilee. . . in a town called Nazareth.” 4 Readjustments / Transitions Reunited with Family Assimilation into mixed population of Jews and Gentiles House-hunting Re-establish relationships (after 10 years) Long memories of hometown villagers The Return to Nazareth HEARTS AT HOME: Joseph discerned that it was safe to return to Nazareth – to a place of family and friends but also to small villagers with long memories! For some, Jesus would always bear the reputation of being conceived outside of marriage. Probably Mary and Joseph met with disapproval, suspicion and judgment from some folks. Regardless, they lived the peace that is the fruit of doing the will of God. • Do I receive the opinion of others as information or definition? • When is my heart most “at home”? Informed by – but not defined by – public opinion Fulfilled the Scripture: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Finding in the Temple “Son, why have you done so to us ? . . .” “His mother, meanwhile, kept all these things in memory.” Finding in the Temple • What do I need to leave behind in order to come home to my heart? Sociability… traveled with friends Victim of fear; worry Victim of assumptions: “I thought he was with you.” Acknowledges / “owns / feelings (sorrow, fear) RESPECTFUL ASSERTIVENESS: Communicate directly; Clarify and isolate issue; Speak only what is necessary [true, necessary, helpful); Speak the truth in love [with-hold punches/ stings]; let it go after you deal with it TEACHABLE MOMENT: Gives reason for reproof which can teach empathy Wedding at Cana TREASURES LOST AND FOUND: Loss of something precious motivates searching, retracing steps, looking for clues, and surrender. It often brings us to the temple of the soul to reclaim treasure. “They have no more wine.” • Am I about the Father’s business? • Have the losses in my life led me to the temple of my soul? • Do I combine respectful assertiveness and direct communication in a Mary-like way? “Do whatever he tells you.” 5 Group Work 1. READ the Scripture Passage aloud. 2. DISCUSS: What personality traits or virtues of Mary “pop out” to you? Use the “Round Robin” custom to share them with the group. Jesus replied, “Woman, how does this concern of yours involve me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother instructed those waiting on table, “Do whatever he tell you.” As prescribed for Jewish ceremonial washings, there were at hand six stone water jars, each one holding fifteen to twenty-five gallons. “Fill those jars with water,” Jesus ordered, at which they filled them to the brim. “Now,” he said, “draw some out and take it to the waiter in charge.” The Wedding at Cana, Jn. 2: 1-11 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had likewise been invited to the celebration. At a certain point the wine ran out, and Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” They did as he instructed them. The waiter in charge tasted the water made wine, without knowing where it had come from; only the waiters knew, since they had drawn the water. Jesus performed this first of his signs at Cana in Galilee. Thus did he reveal his glory, and his disciples believed in him. Then the waiter in charge called the groom over and remarked to him: “People usually serve the choice wine first; then when the guest have been drinking awhile, a lesser vintage. What you have done is keep the choice wine until now.” 6 Wedding at Cana Awareness of others and their needs Anticipates another’s need Empathy and Compassion Proactive; Takes initiative! Knowledge of her son Ability to predict her son’s responsiveness Advice for the ages – “Do whatever he tells you.” “Near the cross of Jesus there stood his Mother. . .” WATER JARS: Containers for water one minute are the next minute vessels of wine. The containers remained unchanged while their contents were transformed. The touch of Christ made the difference. • How Mary-like am I in sensitive awareness and anticipation of the needs of others? • Am I intentional about following Mary’s advice: “Do whatever he tell you”? • When need is brought to my attention, is my response full measure or half-hearted? Inablity to right a wrong! Strong, silent presence She does what she CAN rather than be paralyzed by what she CANNOT Inadequacy, Impotency = Poverty “Being” versus “Doing” Faithful Witness – the First Disciple Co-redeemer Standing Near the Cross SILENT SENTINEL: Powerless to affect change or to intercede for her son, Mary did what she could do. She stood in silent solidarity and she suffered with Jesus. “ . . . There were some women in their Company, and Mary the mother of Jesus. . .” • Is it my practice to do what I can to alleviate suffering rather than allow myself to be paralyzed by what I cannot do? • Do I let sorrow transform me into a person of compassion or a person of bitterness? • In what ways do I cultivate an adult relationship with Mary? 7 Mary of the Cenacle Source of Unity UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: Model of Forgiveness Demonstrated the meaning of “forgive and forget” The apostles abandoned Jesus in his hour of need. Judas betrayed him, Peter denied him, and all but John scattered and stayed out of view. And yet there is no hint of reproof or recrimination in Mary. She unified the group. She modeled the forgiveness taught by her son. She became the agent of their on-going formation. • How well do I give public witness to my relationship with Jesus? • Am I an agent of unity? Formation Directoress for the Early Church • Do my faults and sin lead me to self-hatred or to develop a sense of compassion? • How often do I contribute to the spirit of community prayer? Prayerful Ways & Mary Days ANNUNCIATION . . . A poem by Ann Johnson Miryam of Nazareth: Woman of Strength and Wisdom (Ave Maria Press, pp. 72-73) The Visitation . . . “To My Surprise” Mystery by Rory Cooney, Gary Daigle, Theresa Donohoo North American Liturgy Resources, 1988 8 Look at me, hardly a woman Yet life within me grows each passing day A daughter of my Father’s house I have trusted that God’s love would light my way. And to my surprise my God has seen me A servant of his household did he see And my heart aflame shall magnify his name For love has kept its promises to me. He fills the poor with good things Look at me, your father’s big sister And you wouldn’t say exactly “in my prime.” All my life did I wait for him For I know he comes to rescue us in time. And to my surprise my God has seen me A servant of his household did he see And my heart aflame shall magnify his name For love has kept its promises to me. Who are we? Children of Israel! Only captives of the Eagle and the Sword. And the rich have empty hands He slays the high and the mighty And the poor shall have their land. Eyes are full; we heed our call To live and die as servants of the Lord. And to our surprise Our God shall see us The servants of his household shall he hear Let your hearts proclaim and magnify his name For love will keep its promise to appear Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Gabriel (Lk. 1:28) Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Elizabeth (Lk. 1:42) Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Look at me! Look at us! God’s love is here! 15th Century Church 9 Rejoice, Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. . . “Who Clausal” “The center of gravity in the Hail Mary, the hinge as it were which joins its two parts, is the name of Jesus. … Pope Paul VI drew attention…to the custom…of highlighting the name of Christ by the addition of a clause referring to the mystery being contemplated.” On the Most Holy Rosary, #33 . . . Whose presence within you caused the child within Elizabeth’s womb to leap for joy. . . . Because of Whom your own soul was pierced “so that the thoughts of many hearts could be laid bare”. . . . Who lived a hidden life with you and Joseph in Nazareth and there grew in “wisdom, age and grace.” . . . Who accepted the cross in silence and began his Via Dolorosa through the narrow streets of Golgatha. 10 . . . Who said: “Woman, behold your Son. Son, behold Your Mother.“ . . . Whose bruised, lifeless body you cradled in your arms. Second Life-Lesson 1. Be Non-defensive in the Face of Mistreatment 2. Accept Human Support 3. Choose to Love Regardless of Circumstances 4. Overcome Evil with Love 5. Rely on Divine Providence 4th Station: Jesus Meets his Mother 5th Station: Simon helps Jesus Accept Human Support Jesus and Mary met along the path of pain. Both were inadequate to relieve the suffering of the other but both were willing to bear the suffering in trust. Motivated by expediency soldiers forced Simon to assist Jesus. Through their tears and cries, women protested the inhumane cruelty inflicted on Jesus. For one woman, empathy overshadowed fear of reprisal and she dared to wipe Jesus’ bloodied face. Compassion comes in many sizes. It blesses the one who receives and it stretches the one who gives. Each BEAD consists of: 1. “Hail Mary . . . Jesus” 2. A “Jesus Clause” 3. A “desired grace” Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus . . . . . . whose weakened condition continued to deteriorate, making the cross unmanageable 6th Station: Veronica helps Jesus Give me the humility to resign myself to personal inadequacy. 11 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . Jesus Clause Desired Grace Jesus Clause ! Develop within me empathy and compassion for others who suffer. ! Whose unjust suffering pierced your soul. Desired Grace ! Whose glance met yours and communicated purpose. ! Teach me to be present to the needs of others. 1 2 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . Desired Grace Jesus Clause Desired Grace ! in Whose passion you shared. Jesus Clause ! Give me the grace to embrace my own suffering without complaint. ! Whose physical stamina was mortally impaired 3 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; ! Give me paDent endurance when I encounter health problems or feelings of diminshment. 4 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . Jesus Clause ! Who was given the help of Simon because the soldiers feared he would die along the way and escape the torture of crucifixion Desired Grace Jesus Clause ! Increase my faith in God’s providence to make all things work together for my good – even the impure moDvaDons of others. 5 ! Who accepted Simon’s help and shared the burden of the cross Desired Grace ! Move me to allow others to help me. 6 12 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . Jesus Clause Desired Grace ! Who invites me to be a Simon for others who struggle under the weight of a cross Jesus Clause ! SensiDze me to the burdens that another person carries. 7 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; Desired Grace ! Who was refreshed and affirmed by the sensiDvity of Veronica ! Move me today to serve as a Veronica to someone. 8 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . . . Jesus Clause Jesus Clause Desired Grace ! Who calls me to grow in compassion and service ! Stretch my heart to imitate you. 9 Desired Grace ! Who challenges me to ! Hone in me the be a Veronica to humility to place both others and do what I my strengths and my can to alleviate limitaDons in the suffering instead of service of the Gospel. being paralyzed by what I cannot do 10 Ave Maria, Ave Holy Mary, In the Quiet, Liam Lawton, GIA Publications (2002) Mother of God Pray for us sinners Now and at the hour of our death. Who so kind might step into our lives. Who so fine might walk with us in life. Words of hope, you breath within our hearts. Words of love to call us from the dark. Amen. Glory be to the Father . . . 13 Guide us on the journey. Show to us the way. Be our home of resting, Our comfort when we stray. Who so good might humbly bow to God. Guide us in your wisdom Saying YES, accepting of the Word. And your blessing share, Crowned with love, you offer us God’s peace. As we come rejoicing, O That we might come and taste the feast! Ave Maria, ave! Guide us on the journey. Show to us the way. Be our home of resting, Our comfort when we stray. Guide us in your wisdom And your blessing share, As we come rejoicing, Who so young might know when fear comes near. Standing close, you long for us to hear Words of MERCY that tell about your Son, Words of CALM to heal the broken one. Ave Maria, ave! Guide us on the journey. Show to us the way. Be our home of resting, IHM Formative Support for Parents & Teachers Our comfort when we stray. Guide us in your wisdom Dr. Patricia M. McCormack And your blessing share, [email protected] As we come rejoicing, Ave Maria, ave! www.ParentTeacherSupport.org 14
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