Say WHAT? How we find TRUE freedom

I like to listen to an audio recording called Benedictus Moments, which is published by St. Luke productions, based on the writings of Pope Benedict XVI. (Just search stlukeproductions.com/benedictus)

A recent edition, called "Mary the Woman" got me to thinking.

In talking about Mary, he said "she represents the creation which is called to respond to God and the freedom of the creature which does not lose its integrity in love but attains completion therein. Mary thus represents saved and liberated man . . . "

I know, I know, you're probably thinking, WHAT?

But think about it. Mary (a human "creature") said yes when the angel Gabriel told her she would conceive and bear Jesus (Luke 1:38). In her response to God, we find the perfect model for us.  

When we, like Mary, give every aspect of our being to God, by responding in love when he calls us, we are completed as humans.  

We don't lose our freedom by saying yes to God, but realize true freedom in doing so. 

There is a lot of fear today surrounding women's rights and a perceived loss of freedom, especially on the subject of abortion, but that is our culture's making and a very dangerous precept to embrace.

God elevated woman to the highest degree humanly possible, and did so by the gift of pregnancy. Mary was surprised, as so many women are, that this should be her path. She knew it would be hard. But still, she said yes, and we now know that the "fruit of her womb, Jesus," saved mankind.

As a mother, we do not know who our child will become, but we should know that giving life is a gift from God, no matter the circumstances. We must be careful to protect every unborn child, and in this month of Mary, hold fast to the knowledge that God has revealed this to us in Mary.

As we celebrate Mother's Day this weekend, let us pray for those who have newly learned of their pregnancy, for those who have given birth recently, or long ago, and especially for those whose desire has yet to be realized.

Let us pray, especially for our own mothers, both living and deceased, who brought us into this world, and thank God for their willing sacrifice that allows us the opportunity to return the favor of God's love in our own life, by giving our all.

Janet Cassidy

janetcassidy.com

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