My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

By Tom Ponchak
I had the opportunity to write a few bulletin reflections for our parish. I decided to reprint them here. I've included the date and readings for the Sundays for which the originally appeared.

AUGUST 15, 2010 (Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10b – 1 Corinthians 15:20-27 – Luke 1:39-56)

We need look no further than Mary for an example of how to love and follow Jesus. She responded with humility and openness to the Lord when the angel appeared to her. She did not know all of the details but she trusted God to provide. Her song, the Magnificat, is a testimony to simple faith and devotion to God. At the wedding in Cana she pointed to the waiters as she points to each of us today saying, “Do whatever He tells you.” She suffered the pain of standing at the foot of the cross uniting her sufferings with those of her Son. Mary witnessed her risen Son and waited in prayer with the Apostles for the gift of the Holy Spirit. All the while we are told that she pondered these things in heart.

Today we celebrate Mary receiving the fruit of her faith. Once again she is showing us the way and showing us what awaits each of us if we remain faithful. Like Jesus, she experienced victory over death and the grave. She placed her faith in God wand was not disappointed. The journey was long with its fair share of joys and sorrows but it was worth every step of the way.

The Church recognizes Mary as the New Eve. Like Eve she was born without original sin. Like Eve she was presented with a choice: submission through humble obedience or self-determination in prideful resistance. Rather than listening to the lies of the serpent she crushed its head, and we are all the better for it. Now she intercedes for us in our time of trial and temptation that we may follow her example and not the choice of the original Eve.

May we draw close to her and allow us to hear her encouraging us to “Do whatever He tells you.” Let us call upon Mary’s help to resist temptation and embrace humility. Mary show us your Son’s Sacred Heart and pray for us to one day experience the joys of heaven.

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