27 March 2012: On the grace of our vocation

“‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!’
The messenger greets Mary as ‘full of grace’. He calls her this as if it were her real name. He does not call her by her proper earthly name ‘Miriam’ (Mary), but by this new name: ‘Full of grace.’
What does this mean? Why does the archangel address the Virgin of Nazareth in this way?
“In the language of the Bible ‘grace’ means a special gift which according to the New Testament has its source precisely in the Trinitarian life of God himself, of God who is love.” (cf 1 Jn 4:8) (John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 25 March 1987, 8)
Mary is called ‘full of grace’ to express her true being. Whenever God changes a person’s name or gives him or her an extra one, he destines him or her to something new or reveals to that person his or her true mission in the history of salvation.
Mary is called ‘full of grace’, most highly favored, because of her divine Motherhood.
The angel’s announcement revealed to Mary her mission in the world, the key to her whole existence. For her the Annunciation was a most perfect light that filled the whole of her life and made her fully aware of her exceptional role in the history of mankind.
“Mary is definitively introduced into the mystery of Christ through this event.” (John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 25 March 1987, 8)
“The scene of the Annunciation is a very lovely one. How often have we meditated on this! Mary is recollected in prayer. ... using all her senses and her faculties to speak to God. ... in prayer ... she comes to know the divine Will. And with prayer she makes it the life of her life. Do not forget the example of the Virgin Mary.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 481)
Mary’s vocation is the perfect example for any vocation. We understand our own life and the events surrounding it in the light of our vocation.
In our endeavor to fulfill this divine plan is the way to Heaven. Therein also lies our own human and supernatural fulfilment.
Vocation is not the choice we make for ourselves so much as that which God makes of us through the thousand and one events in which we are involved. We must know how to interpret these circumstances with faith, and with a pure and upright heart.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” (Jn 15:16)
“Every vocation, every existence, is in itself a grace that encloses within it many others; it is a grace, a gift, that is given to us, that is bestowed on us without our having deserved it, without being evoked by any merit of ours, and with no right to it on our part. It is not necessary that ... the call to fulfil the plan of God, the assigned mission, be great or splendid.
“It is enough that God has wanted to employ us in his service, that He wants us to aid him, that he trusts in our cooperation. The fact that he wants our cooperation is in itself so extraordinary and magnificent, that an entire life spent in thanksgiving is not enough to repay him for such an honour.” (Federico Suarez, “Mary of Nazareth” [Sinag-Tala Publishers, Inc, Manila, 1988, pp20-21])
The 'yes' that God asks of each one of us, whatever our direction in life may be, lasts for the whole of our lives. Sometimes, it will be our reply to minor events, at other times to larger, more important situations.
Let us ask Our Lady for a great and true desire to perceive our own vocation in greater depth and for light so as to correspond to the successive calls God makes to us.
Let us ask her to enable us to give a prompt and firm reply on each occasion. Our vocation alone is what can fill our lives and give them their full meaning.
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:182-7

Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Olives
“Being in an agony, his sweat became as drops of blood trickling down upon the ground.” (Lk 22:44)
Jesus, choosing to submit to all humiliations and sorrows, suffered them before his physical exhaustion. An interior struggle between feeling and the will aggravated the agony. A great proof of love and a lesson for us!
The bloody sweat makes us realize the torment in the soul of Jesus during his agony of nearly two hours. It shows his great suffering. He could have avoided this humiliating agony, but desired it for our sake.
The humble petitions of Jesus brought an angel who strengthened his body, fortified his soul, praised his resignation; and showed him all that his passion should do for his Father’s glory and for the happiness of men. What Jesus as man had asked for, was denied him; but his prayer obtained a wonderful consolation.
In trouble and anguished, recourse to God is always fruitful. If a heavy cross burdens us, the angel of divine consolation will shed the unction of grace in our heart.
Our soul strengthened and invigorated, the cross becomes light. We will bear it with sweet resignation and sensible joy with a fresh increase of merit.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp89-91

Jesus scolds His disciples
“He comes to his disciples, and finds them asleep; ... he said to Peter, ‘So, you could not stay awake with me one hour? ... the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” (Mt 26:40-41)
The reproach surprised the three Apostles. “... they knew not what to answer him.” (Mk 14:40) It especially embittered St Peter, who earlier had promised fidelity and constancy. The reason Jesus addressed him personally.
“Simon, I, thy master, have prayed and endured an extreme agony, you have not the courage to watch one hour with me in prayer, though I expressly commanded you to do so. ... Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation.” (cf Mk 14:38; cf Mt 26:41)
Spiritual lukewarmness is a very dangerous state. Whoever is lukewarm falls into fatal delusions. Intending to do well, and like the Apostles, liberal in grand promises, he falsely equates willing with doing. As if we have the strength to work out our salvation.
Jesus says, “The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt 26:41). That is why he immediately adds, “Watch and pray”.
Be always on your guard, always distrustful of self, always armed with prayer. If not, we will certainly fall under temptation, open to our enemies.
Jesus firmly meets tortures and death, showing the powerful effects of that long and fervent prayer to his Father. We also see, in the shameful flight of the Apostles at the first hint of danger, the loss to the soul which neglects to seek God in fervent prayer. From prayer we draw the strength needed in times of difficulty.
“... leaving them, he went again and prayed ... Then he comes to his disciples, and said to them, ‘Sleep now, take your rest; the hour has come for the Son of Man to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go; he who will betray me is here.’” (Mk 14:41-2)
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p94-6

• Apparition of Our Lord to Our Lady immediately after his resurrection. — Alphonsus a Castro, c. 17. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Apparition of Our Lord to Our Lady after His Resurrection (in accordance with the original date). (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Apparition of Our Lord to Our Lady, as soon as He was risen from the dead (in accordance with original date). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Apparition of Our Lord to Our Lady after His Resurrection (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Madonna del Piratello (Italy, 1483) (http://mariedenazareth.com)