May 10
“Mary exercises her role as ‘Advocate’ by co-operating both with the Spirit, the Paraclete, and with the One who interceded on the Cross for his persecutors (cf. Lk 23:24), whom John calls our ‘advocate with the Father’ (1 John 2:1). As a mother, she defends her children and protects them from the harm caused by their own sins.”
-St. John Paul II
Today's Reflection
Define “advocate.” According to Pope John Paul II, what is the nature of Mary’s advocacy in her maternal role? To whom does she advocate for us or defend us? Why? What does she obtain for us through each? What makes her such an effective intercessor? What is your area of greatest need today? Ask Mary to be your advocate.
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May 9
“By her maternal charity, [Mary] cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.”
-Documents of Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 62
Today's Reflection
How does this statement define Mary’s spiritual maternity and her role in the salvation of souls? Consider Mary’s selection by God to be the mother of His Son. In light of Sacred Scripture, how did she care for Him physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually? What does this tell you about her maternal beatitude toward you and her role in your own salvation? Tomorrow’s Grace Line tells you about one way Mary carries out her mission.
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May 8
“I have placed you in the care of my holy Mother, as a deposit in trust, so that she may fashion you according to my pattern.”
-Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque
Today's Reflection
Read Psalm 139: 13-16. Consider the way a baby is “fashioned” by God in the womb of its mother. Now, think of God fashioning you in this way spiritually within the heart of Mary according to the pattern of His Son. Why is Mary the perfect “place” for us to be entrusted? What would mark the maternal care she would provide for those given to her by her Son?
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May 7
“When at the annunciation the Most Blessed Virgin gave the consent which was expected by the Eternal Word before becoming her Son, she from that moment asked our salvation of God with intense ardor, and took it to heart in such a way that from that moment, as a most loving mother,
she bore us in her womb.”
-St. Bernardine of Siena
Today's Reflection
Ponder this statement in reference to the past three Grace Lines. Ponder it in reference to yourself. What emotions does it excite in you? What insights does it provoke? How does it affect your understanding of Mary’s love for you, uniquely and specifically? Consider her selfless love. In what one way can you begin to love like this today?
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By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength. (Is. 30:15)God is never heard as a clanging gong nor a clanging cymbal. God speaks the language of silence, almost in a whisper. He can be heard in our prayer time in the quiet of our hearts. To those whose ear is attuned to His wisdom, He can be heard amid the noise of this world, loud and clear even when there is dead silence.
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CF writes:
“I have a question regarding a therapy. A friend of mine briefly talked about a therapy he recently experienced call ‘Somato-Emotional Release (SER) Therapy.’ I have not been able to find any information regarding this therapy from a Catholic perspective. Is this a therapy Catholics should avoid?”
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May 6
“God the Father wishes to have children by Mary till the consummation
of the world…”
-St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, True Devotion, 29
Today's Reflection
As the sister of Jesus Christ, Mary is your mother through the action of the Holy Spirit by God’s holy design. To what extent does this apply to every person who has ever had life and every person who will ever have life? Think of the person who causes you the most suffering. Consider this person in light of this understanding. What is your response?
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LR asks:
” How can we bless and cleanse our house of evil spirits.”
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AL writes: “A friend of mine watches a tv series on Hallmark channel called “Good Witch,” and she doesn’t understand why I’ve chosen not to watch it. She thinks it’s just because it has the word “witch” in the title, but I’ve tried to explain to her that it’s more than that, that the show seems to have a connection to the New Age cult and that, even if the magic in the show really is harmless, I would rather watch something else just to be safe. I’ve also researched the show a lot and what alarms me is that there a lot of witch blogs where the witches…that they love the show because it portrays witches as good, ordinary people. So, my question for you is, do you believe that we, as Catholics, should not watch 'Good Witch?' And if so, what are your reasons for it?"
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May 5
“Although in the most pure womb of Mary there was but one grain of corn, which was Jesus Christ, yet it is called a heap of wheat because all the elect were virtually contained in it.”
-St. Ambrose
Today's Reflection
Consider St. Ambrose’s statement. By virtue of her conception of Jesus Christ, explain how you were, in a sense, “spiritually conceived in Mary” at the moment of the Annunciation? (For more insight, meditate on Eph. 1:4.) What is your interior response to this reality? Journal your insights.
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