Reflection Before Our Eucharistic Lord

As I, (Sr. Mary Clare), reflect in prayer before our Eucharistic Lord, I am aware of the most powerful words one can memorize in Latin or their own language: "Verbum Dei Caro factum est! (The WORD of GOD was made flesh!)"

Many years ago, I read an article about a Canadian exorcist who would say these words in Latin, to those who were possessed and they would be delivered. He said that it would be good for people to have stickers placed in their cars, homes and workplaces with these words, "Verbum Dei caro factum est." God knows we need protection from the evil one and that many are in need of deliverance.

Know that the evil one cringes at these words. He hates these words. He was cast out of Paradise for his en-ragement over these words and their reality. "Verbum Dei caro factum est."

It was so beyond the evil one, that the second person of the Trinity would become flesh born of a woman, Mary, the Theotokos, Mother of God. Scripture tells us, "The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us" (Jn 1:14)
Mary's flesh became one with the flesh of Jesus, Her son. In a mystical way, their hearts become one beating heart! They can never be separated. When we speak of Jesus's heart, we speak of Mary's heart. When we speak of Her heart, we speak of Jesus's heart. As we hear in Mark 10:8, "and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh," concerning the consumation of husband and wife, so too Mary becomes one with the Holy Spirit from whom She conceives Jesus. Jesus can never be separated from the Holy Spirit nor from the Father.

Mary asks the Angel Gabrielle a legitimate question, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? Or "I do not KNOW man?” (Luke 1:34)
Mary received a response that She could have never imagined from the Angel Gabrielle, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35).

Dear friends in Christ, this is truly incredible! Truly amazing! Mary conceives Jesus in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. Meaning the Holy Spirit becomes her spouse! The Most High overshadows her! A miraculous Conception and then a miraculous birth! She is not just any other woman. She IS the Immaculate Conception.

Mary is completely receptive to God's plan and gave her total "Fiat." Her "Yes" to God.
Her response was, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Lk.1:38
According to Jewish customs, "handmaids" had almost none of the rights of modern-day servants, who work for a wage and can quit their position at will. The Mother of God would never quit at her will. Another name for handmaiden is "bondservant." Mary completely gave her will over to the Trinity and lived in the Divine Will. She was completely BONDED to the TRINITY.

Let us not be afraid to show Mary our love, and devotion, thinking somehow this takes away from Jesus. Mary does not take away from the Lord, but compliments Him to the utmost. As she says in her Magnificent, "My soul magnifies the Lord...All generations will call me blessed. For He Who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name." She magnifies the Lord, and doesn't take away from Him. Have you ever used a magnifying glass to set leaves on fire? The magnifying glass will magnify the light and heat from the Sun (Son). This is what Mary does.

May we reflect on these wonderful truths of our faith, as we ponder this week what is about to take place. As Mary is with child, Joseph is very concerned because he knows it was not him who impregnated her. He knows what the Jewish law is and how Mary would be stoned to death since she was impregnated by someone else and it wasn't her betrothed. Joseph cannot bear this since he knew Mary was an upright woman. He was disheartened and confused. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." Mt.1:20

One last thought! How can we possibly consider that Mary is just an ordinary woman who just so happened to give birth to the Son of God? The Angel is confirming with St. Joseph what He just shared with Mary. "That which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." St. Joseph, an upright holy man, foster father of Jesus, believes!

I am so aware that Mary is all part of God's perfect plan from the beginning of salvation history until the end at His final coming. She is the new Eve who fulfilled God's perfect Will. So dear friends in Christ, "Be not afraid to take Mary as your"... Mother. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by...Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. Jn.19:27

May we take our heavenly Mother into the home of our hearts. She so desires us to consecrate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart and it is there that we can take refuge. Remember, it will never be just her heart, but that of her Son's as well. Two