“No one could ever say more truly than Mary: ‘I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me.’”  ~Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene, OCD

For Reflection:

Could one ever plumb the depths of the mystery of Mary’s holy “advent”—when the Divine Life took shape and form within her? Just as Christ took on her flesh, did she not “take on” something of Him as well? Could this have been what Elizabeth realized when Mary came to her home (Luke 1:40-44)? As Child stirred within her, did currents of grace flood Mary’s being in humble response to each baby move?

In Conversation With God Vol 1 Advent/Christmas Francis Fernandez-Carvajal Pb 387 pgs

Mary imparts a great joy to our souls, because when we turn to her she leads us to Christ.  Mary teaches us to hope. 'All generations will call me blessed', she proclaimed.  Humanly speaking, how could she hope for such a thing?  Who was she, in the eyes of her contemporaries?  The great heroines of the Old Testament - Judith, Esther, Deborah - won a measure of human renown even here on earth...What a contrast between Our lady's hope and our own impatience!...Often we find ourselves incapable of sustaining our efforts, of keeping our hope alive....Whoever does things for love of God and for His Glory never fails.  Convince yourself of this truth: your success--this time, in this matter--was to fail.  Give thanks to our Lord...and try again!  You haven't failed; you have gained experience.  On you go!