Theme: Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of the Savior. Mary, the Mother of God, waits patiently for the birth of her Son and Savior, Jesus Christ to Whom she has given her life.

Grace: I pray for the grace of Marian surrender and anticipation of the Savior during this holy Advent and Christmas season.

“Evangelical surrender is directed towards receiving God’s word. It is like the ploughing which enables the soil to be ‘good soil’ capable of receiving the divine seed, the seed of life.”

~Father Marie-Dominque Philippe, O.P.

For Reflection:

According to Father Philippe, what is the relationship between surrender and reception of the “divine seed, the seed of life?” How does Mary demonstrate evangelical surrender to God after Angel Gabriel’s announcement? On a scale of 1-10, how do I rank my evangelical surrender with 1 being “unyielding” and 10 being “Marian”?  How can I work to move myself forward this Advent season? (Tomorrow’s GraceLine may give you “Mary-like” insights.)