The December 15, 2020, Reflection – A time of love, warmth, prayer and joy!

A time of love, warmth, prayer and joy!

December 15, 2020
Christmas Novena, Day 1

Dear Family of Mary!

Today the parish of Medjugorje begins a Novena before Christmas!  Each day the parish will climb Apparition Hill, praying the Rosary.  Mary TV will stream this event, live, each day, at 2:00 pm Medjugorje time.  You can join in on our Channel at www.marytv.tv

Each day I will write a short reflection on a line from Our Lady’s November 25, 2020 message. There are nine sentences!!  Shall we begin!

“Dear children! This is a time of love, warmth, prayer and joy…” (November 25, 2020)

When Our Lady first gave us this message, I was struck with how odd this declaration sounded!  In the midst of Covid, lock downs, isolation, loneliness, and fear, how could she say that?

And yet, she was right!  This is the time of love, warmth, prayer, and joy!

Why?  Because this is God’s time! And God is Lord of Heaven and Earth! He is in charge of all time!  And He is the God who loves us unconditionally, who’s heart is on fire with love for us, who comes to us in prayer, and who’s Spirit transmits joy!  This is God’s time!

Advent tells us that we have everything to live for!  The answer to all our needs, hopes, desires, and longings is about to be born in a stable to a Virgin!  Our hope is not in vain.  Jesus, our Savior is coming!

I found a lovely Litany of our Lady of Hope, which gives us so much to ponder as we wait this Advent.  Our Lady is the Woman of Hope!  She can teach us how to live in expectation of the coming of the Lord.  She is our Mother, our Light, our Sweetness, and our Hope!

May we be filled with the love, warmth, prayer, and joy that Our Lady announces, through the graces she can procure for us today!

Let us pray:

Litany of Our Lady of Hope (Pontmain)
(Also known as Our Lady of Pontmain)

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Response for the following: Pray for us.

Our Lady of hope
Our Lady of the way
Our Lady of light
Fullness of Israel
Dawn of the new world
Mother of God
Mother of the liberating Messiah
Mother of the redeemed
Mother of all people

Our Lady of hope
Virgin of silence
Virgin who listens
Virgin who sings
Servant of the Lord
Servant of the Word
Servant of the redemption
Servant of the kingdom

Our Lady of hope,
light up our way.

Response for the following: Pray for us.

Disciple of Christ
Witness of the gospel
Sister of humanity
Beginning of the Church
Mother of the Church
Model of the Church
Image of the Church

Our Lady of hope
Mary, blessed among women
Mary, dignity of women
Mary, greatness of women
Woman faithful in waiting
Woman faithful in her task
Woman faithful in discipleship
Woman faithful to the cross

Our Lady of hope
First fruit of Easter
Splendor of Pentecost
Star of evangelization
Shining presence
Prayerful presence
Welcoming presence
Active presence

Our Lady of hope,
light up our way.

Response for the following: Pray for us.

Hope of the poor
Trust by the humble
Strength of the marginalized
Relief of the oppressed
Defender of the innocent
Courage of the persecuted
Comforter of the exiled

Our Lady of hope
Voice of freedom
Voice of communion
Voice of peace
Sign of God’s maternal aspect
Sign of the Father’s nearness
Sign of the Son’s mercy
Sign of the Spirit’s fruitfulness
Our Lady of hope
Christ, Savior of history
Christ, Savior of humanity
Christ, Hope of creation

Let us Pray:

Almighty and eternal God, the blessed Virgin Mary,
glorious Mother of your Son, helps and defends all those who call upon her.
By her intercession may we be strong in faith, steady in hope, and persevere in your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

In Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2020