From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On the Wonderful Effect of Divine Love  (II)   
      
   THE DISCIPLE.   
   As yet my love is weak, and my virtue imperfect, and I have great need   
   of Thine strength and comfort. Therefore, visit me often, I pray, and   
   instruct me in Your holy laws. Set me free from evil passions, and   
   heal my heart from all disorderly affections; that, healed and   
   cleansed in spirit, I may grow able to love, strong to endure, and   
   steadfast to persevere.   
   --Thomas à Kempis ---Imitation of Christ Bk 3, Ch 5   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   March 25th - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary   
      
   Today, 'Lady Day'--nine months before Christmas, we think of the   
   Blessed Virgin Mary, who became the Mother of God. Her story is   
   wrapped in mystery for we have only the details that Saint Luke   
   recorded at the beginning of his Gospel. We know that she was a   
   village maiden, probably of Nazareth, of humble circumstances,   
   betrothed to a carpenter, though in her veins, as in those of Saint   
   Joseph, flowed the blood of the kings of Judah.   
      
   With great simplicity and beauty Saint Luke tells us of her   
   maidenhood: "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God   
   unto a village of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a   
   man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's   
   name was Mary." She was naturally puzzled, "greatly troubled" we are   
   told, for she was a simple woman, and the wonder of it overwhelmed   
   her; but with calmness and dignity she accepted her destiny, trusting   
   that God's will would be done.   
      
   Throughout the centuries, this scene has fascinated preachers and   
   artists who meditated on the wondrous event. Only one artist, Lotto,   
   captured the startling nature of the occurrence. In his painting a cat   
   is seen in the background frightened. Yet the Virgin Mother appears to   
   be much more practical.   
      
   She asks quietly and naturally: "How shall this be?" To which came the   
   answer containing the secret of the mystery: "The Holy Spirit shall   
   come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you.   
   Therefore the child to be born shall be called holy, the Son of God."   
   To which she answered with unique faith and submission: "Behold the   
   handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word." Then,   
   in the familiar words of the Magnificat, which echo the words of   
   Samuel's mother Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10), her heart found an outlet:   
   "My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my   
   Savior."   
      
   How remarkably calmly Mary accepts God's will! She knew that she could   
   be subject to stoning for bearing a child outside of wedlock.   
      
   Yet she trusted. Let us reflect on this miracle of faith when we, too,   
   are asked by God to do things that seem beyond our strength. Let's   
   also trust that God is with us every moment of every day with His   
   hands upon us.   
      
      
   Reflection.   
   Whoever has to dwell in the world stands in need of great prudence;   
   the Holy Scripture itself assures us that “the knowledge of the saints   
   is prudence.” (Prov. 9:10)   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   "The Just Judge will give you the rewards of your patience and will   
   punish your adversaries with what they deserve.  He sits at the door   
   where he can watch everything you do, and he will come quickly to give   
   each one whatever he or she deserves."   
   by the Venerable Bede   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is   
   good both for yourselves and for all." [1 Thessalonians 5:15]   
      
   Antiphon Of The Magnificat.   
      
   The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, O Mary, and the power of the Most   
   High shall overshadow thee.   
      
   Let us pray:   
      
   O God, Who wast pleased that Thy Word, when the Angel delivered his   
   message, should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary,   
   give ear to our humble petitions, and grant that we who believe her to   
   be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her prayers. Through the   
   same, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth   
   with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.   
   Amen.   
      
   <><><><>   
   Prayer of the Most Holy Virgin Mother   
   of the Incarnate Word   
      
   Most holy Virgin, Mother of the incarnate Word, A treasure house of   
   grace, and refuge of us wretched sinners, with lively faith we have   
   recourse to thy motherly love, and ask of thee the grace of ever doing   
   God's will and thine. In thy most holy hands we place our hearts, and   
   of thee we ask health of body and soul; and, as we have the sure hope   
   that thou, our most loving Mother, wilt hear us, we say to thee with   
   lively faith:   
      
   Hail Mary, three times.   
      
   Let us pray:   
      
   Defend, we beseech thee, O Lord! through the intercession of the   
   blessed Mary, ever virgin, Thy servants from all infirmity; and   
   mercifully deign to guard them, prostrate in the sincerity of their   
   hearts before Thee, against the snares of the enemy. Through Christ   
   our Lord. Amen.   
      
   Mary, Mother of God and Mother of mercy, pray for us and for the departed.   
      
   One Ave and Prayer, O Domina Mea! for Victory in Temptations,   
   especially those against Chastity.   
      
   O My Queen! my Mother! I give thee all myself, and, to show my   
   devotion to thee, I consecrate to thee this day my eyes, ears, mouth,   
   heart, my entire self. Wherefore, O loving Mother, as I am thy own,   
   keep me, defend me, as thy property and possession.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)