Introduction

I welcome you to this retreat, to this sacred spiritual journey in the presence of God. I have thought and prayed a lot about this retreat and have asked God to direct us not only to hear His word but to respond to it. I know you come from very different backgrounds of spiritual experiences, for some of you it’s from a Marian background, for others it’s a Renewal background, for other’s it’s a Franciscan background and for others just a parish background. I have tried to think of a common denominator that could link these experiences together and bring us into a deeper experience of the living Lord.

This weekend we not only want to hear about the Lord but we want to experience His presence in our lives that He will totally change us forever. There is only one person who could help do that for us, one whose whole life was dedicated to living continuously in the presence of the Lord and that is His Mother Mary. So let us put ourselves under her protection and her intercession as we begin this journey.

I would like our Mother Mary to teach us as she taught the children of Medjugorje. Medjugorje is a unique place in the Marian apparitions in the Church. Our Lady uses each apparition to convey a meaning or a message from God. Lourdes has been known for years for the physically sick, and the peace and healing that takes place. But at Medjugorje you very rarely find physically sick, because Our Lady has come to speak to the spiritually sick. It’s only when you follow her and allow her to speak to you that you see how sick you really are. I’ll explain more later.

At Medjugorje Our Lady begins her journey with you, not in the Church, but on the hill side. It is there she teaches you about Prayer and how to pray. She then takes you to the mountain of the Cross and introduces you to the Power of the Cross, Forgiveness and the healing Sacrament of Confession. Then she leads you down the mountain and into the nourishing and life giving presence of the Eucharist. Then to help you continue your journey and to protect you against the power of the devil and to help you share the word you have received, she opens you to the Holy Spirit.

For Mary you are her child, her precious child, you are unique, you are not an accident or a mistake, YOU are a child of God and she is your MOTHER. She helps you to see that each one of us is so unique, so special that God relates to each of us differently. She wants you to discover not only the Spirit in your life but more importantly the ways in which the Spirit is working in your life. We are not asked to choose between God and the world, but rather to enjoy God through the world and to find Him in all things. Jesus said in John 10; 10 “I have come so that you can have life and have it to the full”,

YOUTHFUL MARY
Being in the presence of Mary is always a time of grace. As a young woman there must have been a tremendous presence and beauty about her. Her Spirit must have inspired confidence to those who came into her presence. This gentle Spirit brought peace and calmness to those who met her. This knowledge of her character was very well known in the early Church. One of the most beautiful prayers ever written for Mary comes from the time of the Roman persecutions, approximately 235 AD, when many Christians lost their lives. This prayer was written by people, who needed courage and strength to endure the persecution:
We fly to your patronage, 0 holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, 0 glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

TODAY’S IMAGE
Medjugorje helps us to see that Our Lady is alive and active in the world and the Church today. It helps us to experience the Motherhood of Mary in a real and living way. Many people who do not know Our Lady have a completely unreal image of her. It's as if she never got her hands dirtied, never made a mistake, never experienced doubt or fear, and never struggled against evil or temptation and so on. Because of this many find it hard to see how she could serve as a model for us. Mary didn’t live a sheltered life she was a woman of the world.

Mary is not often referred to in the New Testament, and her public encounters with Jesus are few, but when they do encounter each other in public, something major happens. Mothers always have a habit of being in the right place and the right time. They call it woman’s intuition.

She was a strong woman; strength is not the same as power. One could enjoy great power and yet be very weak. One might have no power at all and yet be very strong. Women have a different Kind of strength to men. Their strength is less obvious, less showy. But it is longer lasting. It is empowered by grit, shrewdness, patience courage, and determination. Mary possessed this kind of strength. Like most mothers, she had remarkable powers of endurance and survival, overcome disappointment and distress. She was very sensitive to situations and she seemed always capable of renewing herself no matter what misfortune hit her and misfortunes did hit her.

She knew what oppression was when she couldn’t find a room; she lived as a refugee in a strange land. She understood the stress that a difficult teenage son could cause. She knew the loneliness of being a widow, and the agony of seeing her only son die as a criminal. Mary was a loving caring and compassionate person. Mary is a model not just for mothers, but for all Christians. She understands all those who struggle with the demands of ordinary, decent human living. She understands the pains, the hurts, disappointments, striking families today. She is also supportive of those who are struggling to follow the ways of her son. She understands the fears, doubts, temptations that are put on your faith. But she also wants you to know you are not alone. You have not been abandoned but use your great strengths to do something beautiful for God.

MOTHERHOOD OF MARY
This is the life giving part of her life and down the years she has had a tremendous influence on the role of our own mothers and consequently our lives. We can learn a lot about the human relationship between Mary and her Son Jesus by reflecting on our own mothers. Many a time we take our mothers for granted. But without them, we would not be present in the world, we wouldn’t have life. Every one of us owes our mother’s more than we can know or can ever repay. If we want to develop your spiritual life and to know the Father or the Son then you need to know the Mother.

I would like to describe for you, your own Catholic Mother, as you yourselves knew her as little children. She was the High Priest of the family. She was the one who, each night and morning, when you could hardly walk or talk, knelt down to bless you with the sign of the Cross and taught you your first prayers. Everyone went to Mass and heard the notices, but it was always mother who remembered the Holy days, the times for confessions and the first Fridays.

It was always mother who remembered the anniversary of loved ones who had died. In some miraculous way she accompanied us all to mass on Sunday morning, yet had the breakfast ready when we returned. She was the family doctor. All the aches and the pains, the colds and the flu’s of the family were nursed by her.

Everyone was delicate, except herself. For mother to take to bed sick was unthinkable. All the mental anguish of the family was brought to her, all financial worries about education, and youth, and she always had a great statement, “I will have a word with your father”.

She was the lawyer of the family. All the fights and squabbles of the family were settled by mother with rough justice, “give it to him, he is younger than you”, or “let him have it I will get you another”. In times of adolescence she knew how to handle situations, which saved everyone’s pride.

She was the economist of the family, in a financial crisis it was always mother who in some marvelous way had a little put aside. Despite all the hardships, she always had her children dressed and looking their best. She was the correspondent of the family. It was mother who knew all the addresses, and knew all the family tree. She was the pope of the family, that glorious title, servant of the servants of God. She was unselfish, she gloried in looking after her own, and neglecting herself.

Mother, quietly was the source of the strength and encouragement in the home. First up in the morning and last to bed at night. In times of fear, or disappointment, she gave you a shoulder to cry on. To her, you are her special child.

MARY'S GIFTS
To God, Mary was special and He empowered her with many gifts to enable her to carry out the tasks God had for her. So in order to know and respond to the requests made of Mary it is important for us to understand some of the gifts given her by God.

GIFT OF FAITH
Since Vatican Council II, we no longer try to explain Mary’s unique sanctity so much through the privilege as through faith. Mary advanced in her pilgrimage of faith. This doesn’t diminish Mary’s greatness rather, it increases it beyond measure. Before God, the spiritual greatness of a person in this life is not in fact measured so much by what God asks of the person. But how a person responds in faith? God asked a lot of Mary, more than of any other person, more even than he asked of Abraham. Like Abraham her faith was put to the test.

GIFT OF SILENCE
A second gift we recognize in Mary was the gift to remain in silence. His mother kept all these things in her heart (Luke2:51). Her answer to everything was her silence. Not a silence of withdrawal and sadness; there is in fact a silence, in the inner self where God alone hears. Mary’s silence was of another quality. This was clear at Cana in Galilee when, instead of being offended Mary understood through faith and perhaps from the way Jesus looked at her that she could insist, and so she said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5) The fact that Mary kept silent doesn’t signify that everything was easy for her and that she didn’t have to overcome struggles, difficulties, and darkness. She was exempt from sin but not from struggle and difficulty in believing. If Jesus had to struggle and sweat blood to get his human will to adhere fully to the father’s will, is it surprising that his mother had to face agony too? One thing, however, is certain: under no circumstance whatsoever, would Mary have wanted to turn back.

GIFT OF JOY
The third gift which flowed from Mary was the gift of Joy. The joy of not doing her own will; the joy of believing; the Joy she shared with the lives of people she encountered. The joy of giving God what for him is the most precious thing her faithfulness. The joy of discovering a God whose ways are inaccessible and whose thoughts are not our thoughts but who, because of this, makes himself known for what he really is: God, the Holy One. “The God of Israel, who saves his people, is a God who conceals himself (lsaiah45:15).

GIFT OF CHARISM
The fourth gift is the gifts of the Holy Spirit or the gifts of Charism. St Paul defined a Charism as “the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” [lCorinthians: 2: 7] It is also explained as a grace. What greater gift for the common good than Mary’s divine maternity. Her Charism has been precisely “to give”. She gave the Messiah to the world and she did it with simplicity, without second thoughts, looking for no recompense. Mary gave the entire Word to the entire world, the word made flesh, and she remained so humble. Once her Charism of giving birth to Christ and accompanying him steadfastly to the Cross had ended, Mary dissolved in the Church like salt in water.

GIFT OF SIMPLICITY
Mary did not place any limitation on the working of God in her life. Even when she did not understand certain gifts or workings, such as the initial gift of her Son’s incarnation, she accepted it. Even when she did not fully understand why her Son left her family to remain in Jerusalem or why he was rejected by his own neighbors and kin or why he had to be rejected by the Jewish people and suffer and die, Mary continued to ponder these things and to pray. Neither did she judge the other followers of Jesus who had abandoned him at the Cross or who, like Thomas, doubted his resurrection. Rather, she remained with them, praying for them all to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit just as she had.

MARY AND THE CANAANITE WOMAN
In Matthew 15; 21-28 we have the great story of the meeting between Jesus and the Canaanite woman. There are certain aspects of this meeting which make her similar to Mary Mother of Jesus. Jesus called this woman a woman of Faith” whereas later he called Peter “a man of little faith”.

THREE QUALITIES OF HER FAITH:
1. PERSISTENCE: She is, first of all, a mother who is not frightened by Jesus’ refusal, and we recall a similar situation in the episode of the wedding at Cana. Jesus’ mother tells him that the wine has run out, and Jesus replies” woman, what concern is that to you and to me?” Mary says to the servants ‘Do whatever he tells you?” (John 2:4-5) These are Mary’s last recorded works in the Bible. The Canaanite woman’s love for her sick daughter charged her heart with an energy that will not be stopped or diverted. But her eyes are set only on the power of God. "Lord help me?” Mary just like the Canaanite woman has unlimited trust in the power of intercession and expresses an extraordinary faith.

2. HUMILITY: The humility of the Canaanite woman as she kneels before Jesus, her prayer is simple and direct. Jesus didn’t answer her, as if he hadn’t heard. But delay is a tactic that God uses to deepen our sense of dependence. God put her to the test. The second Marian characteristic of this woman was expressed in Jesus’ praise “Woman, great is your faith!” Elizabeth had said to Mary: “Blessed is she who has believed” (Luke 1:38). Both are praise for their great faith.

3. INTERCESSION: This Canaanite woman can turn what seems to be an insult, into a witty remark. We need a sense of humor around God. The last words of Jesus to the woman who intercedes for her daughter are “Be it done unto you as you wish” and this reminds us even if in a different way of Mary’s words to the angel: “let it be with me as you have said” (Luke l :38) We know that the power of intercession is rooted in faith, namely, in God’s mercy, but actually it is rooted in maternity. The Canaanite woman intercedes because she has invested everything in her daughter. She has put all of her hopes in her. Mary intercedes powerfully for us because we are her children.

CONCLUSION
In life Mary had accomplished everything that she was supposed to do, everything scripture had foretold, from giving birth to the redeemer to taking her place at the foot of the Cross. Mary the first disciple, the first missionary to carry the word of God, the first Christian, and she was first to have Christ’s flesh and blood inside her. She was always open to being the servant of God and always trusting to achieve that which people think impossible.

Mary attained holiness by obedience to God, and because she heard the word of God and did it. Mother we beg you for two special graces: peace of mind and the Spirit of peace in our Families, in our Parishes, which loves and honors you; peace in your blessed land and in all our endeavors to renew and strengthen the faith of our people.
Keep us faithful to the teachings of the gospel, yesterday, today and always. Amen.

QUESTIONS
1. What are some of the images of Mary that have been most meaningful to me?
2. How can my image of Mary grow so that I may appreciate the whole Mary?
3. What will I do to grow in my relationship with Mary? What can I learn from Mary about being a disciple of Jesus?
4. Can I learn to share some of my life experiences with Mary, and let her inspire Me?

READINGS John 2:1 —12 Matthew 12:46—48 Matthew 15: 21-28

MARY IN THE CATECHISM

Mary has a foundation role to play in the New Church, and today is honored within the Church and in the catechism. Five truths about Mary, they all begin with the letter “M” — Member, Model, Mother, Mediatrix, and Messenger.

The first 3 M’s are mentioned in the second Vatican Council — LG. 53 Page 375.
“Where ever she is hailed as Member, Model, and Mother.

1. MARY AS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH
CCC967 — quote from Lumen Gentium. Mary is fully human, not to be adored by Christians as a goddess: she was highly favored through God’s mercy grace.

2. MARY AS A MODEL
Mary is a model for every Christian — in a life of discipleship, consecration and holiness — God calls each person to an unconditional ‘yes’ to him LG 63 ( page 379) 65, also CCC829. “St Ambrose

3. MARY AS A MOTHER
Mary is the mother of God, but also by God’s grace and call, she is the spiritual Mother of the church and each Christian. LG. 61 (page 379) ccc 968 Mother of the church CCC963 “She conceived

4. MARY AS A MEDIATRIX LG 62 CCC-969— 970 “By her maternal charity redeemer”.
Unique role as a mediator — lTimothy2:5-6 — one who prays or intercedes on behalf of others before the Father. The Catholic Church has help — because of her close union with her Son — Mary has been given a role of mediation or intercessions before God, above any other human being. In that role, Catholics speak of Mary as a mediatrix. In Vat: II — the Church says LG 62 (page 379) — “The Church doesn’t hesitate Catholics must remember that Mary’s sole task is to lead people to Jesus, her Son — CCC964.

5. MARY AS A MESSENGER
Mary’s role as a messenger has become more prominent in the recent times. This refers to the appearance, or Apparitions of Mary. Mary usually presents a prophetic message. Mary in recent times has followed the same biblically based pattern in her appearances. Mary appears to the simple, humble and usually poor people. The appearances are accompanied by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Manifesting Himself by the good fruit of joy, thanksgiving, worship and praise of God, a deepened trust in the Lord. Mary calls Christians to prayer, repentance, conversion, and fasting.

MARY IN THE BIBLE
“Why do Catholics hon our Mary at all” — because God has honored her by choosing her to be the Mother of God incarnate, Jesus Christ.
Old testament “She is Virgin who is to conceive and have a son, Whose name will be called
Immanuel” Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2-3, Mt 1:22-23.
New Testament Annunciation — Luke 1:26-38
The Bible shows her as a woman of faith. (Luke 2:19,51) (CCC:494 2617)
Mary becomes the woman CCC729, the new Eve.
The catechism compares Mary to the “Burning bush” that Moses saw — CCC724, CCC725
She makes Jesus known to the poor and the “poor in spirit.”

Four official teachings about Mary:

1. MARY AS MOTHER OF GOD
All Catholic doctrines concerning Mary are related to and emerge from our understanding of her Son, Jesus Christ (ccc 964). Elizabeth’s greetings “The mother of my Lord”, ccc 495.

2. MARY’S PERPETUAL VIRGINITY
Church leaders of the 4th century and earlier taught that Mary remained a Virgin throughout her life.
(ccc 499)

3. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION — Pius IX 1854 and in Lourdes 1858
The Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception states that God prepared Mary for her role of bearing and raising the Son of God by freeing her from original sin from the moment of her conception in the womb of her mother Anne. — “Hail full of grace” (Luke 1:28)
Was Mary saved — or needed to be saved. The church teaches that Mary actually was the first to be saved by the grace of her Son, Jesus. (ccc 491)

Did Mary sin — possible — but Mary always responded to the grace of God to resist sin — Early church called her “Mother of the living” (ccc 494)

4. MARY’S ASSUMPTION INTO HEAVEN Pius XII in 1950.
The dogma reveals that at the time of her death Mary experienced immediately the resurrection of the body that is promised to all faithful followers of Jesus (ccc 966).
We too hope — for the day our bodies raise to heaven.

REFLECTING ON GOD’S PRESENCE

Sometime during the coming week, take a few minutes to write a brief “letter to God.” In this letter, try to recall the first time you sensed God’s presence and some of the ways God has revealed himself to you since then. Close the letter by giving thanks for all that you know of God now and for all that you would like to know in the future. The letter should be about one page in length, and it will be shared (if you choose) at the beginning of the next week’s gathering.

ENDING AND BEGINNING

Passing the Peace: Each member speaks a word of encouragement to other members individually, mentioning gratefully what God has done in their lives. For example, “Bill, I want to encourage you in your ability to help others, and I thank God for what he has done and continues to do in your life.

A WONDERFUL JOURNEY AWAITS YOU

In the next seven sessions we will delve more deeply into the six areas (or Traditions) that we have been discussing. In each session not only will we learn about these Traditions, but we will also discover some simple ways in which we can begin working their accompanying disciplines into our lives. Go now with the grace and peace of God. Let us close by joining hands and praying the Lord’s Prayer aloud and in unison.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
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