Saturday, February 03, 2007

Mother of Grace, pray for us!

With this second title we acknowledge and praise Mary as the Mother of God. Through her, Jesus who came to visit us not as a temporal judge with power and authority but in contrary as a personification of goodness, salvation and grace. Mary is so rightly praised as the Mother of Grace. St Ambrose reminds us that Blessed Virgin Mary was the only human being filled with grace, for God Himself, originator of Grace, indwell in her womb. She had her motherly influence and authority over Jesus, the Source of every grace. She use this privilege to intercede for us. She only said "They have no wine" (John 2:3) and Jesus performed His very first miracle!
The great sinner, who in despair thought himself lost, once came to visit St Bernard. The saintly Doctor advised him to find his confidence in Mary! This helped the poor sinner to focus on her and miracle was granted him. He converted, praised and venerated Mary as the Mother of Grace up to the last moment of his life. Let us remember this example in moments of temptation to pusillanimity. We can pray with childlike simplicity: Oh Mary, full of Grace, Mother of Mercy, look how greatly have I sinned, how enslaved I am and take pity on me. O Mother of Jesus, intercede for me! Remember Mary whenever you would worry about salvation of your children or friends. Always turn to her with all your heart, even if all seems to be lost. The grace can come in the last moment. Let us remember the Angel of God words: "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God" (Luke 1:30).