Lent: the reading of March 2nd
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in my savior God. For he looked to the modesty of his servant; here, from now on all ages will call me blessed. " Luke 1: 46-48
While our Blessed Mother stood before the Cross of her Son, would "all ages" call that "blessed" moment? Was it blessed, as she says in her song of praise, to see the cruel and brutal death of her Son?
Although his experience at the foot of the Cross had been of exceptional pain, sadness and sacrifice, it was also a moment of exceptional blessing. That moment, while looking at his crucified Son with love, was a moment of extraordinary grace. It was a time when the world was redeemed from suffering. And he has chosen to witness this perfect sacrifice of love with his own eyes and to ponder it with his own heart. He chose to rejoice in a God who could produce so much good from so much pain.
In our own lives, when we face struggles and sufferings, we are easily tempted to give in to ourselves in suffering and despair. We can easily lose sight of the blessings that have been given to us in life. The Father did not impose pain and suffering on His Son and our Blessed Mother, but it was His will that enters this moment of great persecution. Jesus entered this moment to transform it and redeem all suffering. Our Blessed Mother has chosen to enter at this moment to be the first and greatest testimony of the love and power of God alive in her Son. The Father also invites each of us daily to rejoice with our Blessed Mother while we are invited to stand and face the Cross.
Although the passage from the Scriptures quoted above recalls the words that our Blessed Mother spoke while she was pregnant with Jesus and went to meet Elizabeth, they are words that would have been continually on her lips. He would proclaim the greatness of the Lord, rejoice in God his Savior and savor his many blessings in life over and over again. He would do it in moments like the Visitation, and he would do it in moments like the Crucifixion.
Reflect today on the words and heart of our Blessed Mother. Say these words in your prayer today. Say it in the context of whatever you are going through in life. Let them become a daily source of your faith and hope in God. Proclaim the greatness of the Lord, rejoice in God your Savior and know that God's blessings are abundant every day, whatever you live in life. When life is consoling, you see the blessing in it. When life is painful, see the blessing in it. Let the testimony of the Mother of God inspire you every day of your life.
Dearest Mother, your words spoken during the Visitation, proclaiming the greatness of God, are words that spring from the great joy of the Incarnation. This joy of yours extends far and wide and has filled you with strength while you later watch your Child die brutally. The joy of your pregnancy has touched you, once again, in this moment of deep pain.
Dearest Mother, help me to imitate your song of praise in my life. Help me see God's blessings in every aspect of life. Draw me into your loving gaze to see the glory of the sacrifice of your beloved Son.
My precious Lord Jesus, you are the greatest blessing in this world. You are all blessings! All the good comes from you. Help me to fix my eyes on you every day and to be fully aware of the power of your love sacrifice. May I rejoice in this gift and always proclaim your greatness.
Mother Maria, pray for me. Jesus I believe in you.