Greek icon of Jesus and Mary

The Blessed Virgin Mary, as our mother, constantly offers to us her example and aid.  When growing ourselves spiritually, we encounter many obstacles.  These hardships can be surmounted by Our Mother’s intercession and her imitation.

Our Lady’s intercession is given when we ask her.  “This kind of relationship to the Theotokos (asking her to intercede for us) dates back to the time when she was still alive” (theotokos-skete.org).  Pilgrims would come visit her and request her intercession, during her lifetime.  Now that the Blessed Mother is with God in heaven, we can speak to her wherever we are.  Even though she brings our petitions before Our Lord, the Virgin Mary also encourages us to look to Jesus.

In imitation of Our Lady, we must never cease praying.  It was in prayer that the angel Gabriel came to Mary and announced God’s will.  Here, “we see her courage to accept the word of the Lord” (pravmir.com), when she said, “may it be done unto me according to thy word” (Lk 1:38).  Mary’s courage and her habit of praying without ceasing are worthy of our imitation.

If nothing else, let us pray to Our Lord with the intercession of Our Lady for the courage to say “yes” to God.

 

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