March 19, 2021 Reflection – You have found favor with God!

Day Four of our Novena for the Annunciation of the Lord:

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Lk 1:30

When Our Lady heard the Angel Gabriel address her with such an exalted and mind-blowing title, it troubled her. She considered it, but still was unsure. Fear of being misled? It is hard to imagine Our Lady fearful! But she was only about 14 years old!

Still Gabriel was led by God to assure her. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Actually, Our Lady had never been out of favor with God, not from her conception!! What peace this assurance must have given Mary. She was still in that blessed “zone” of grace that the Father had surrounded her with all her life!

Our Lady now wants to teach us to not be afraid. The same God who created her and blessed her beyond all people, is our Father as well. And He will lead us safely in grace, if we surrender to Him. Our Lady gave us this message:

July 25, 1988 “Dear children! Today I am calling you to a complete surrender to God. Everything you do and everything you possess give over to God so that He can take control in your life as the King of all that you possess. That way, through me, God can lead you into the depths of the spiritual life. Little children, do not be afraid, because I am with you even if you think there is no way out and that satan is in control. I am bringing peace to you. I am your mother, the Queen of Peace. I am blessing you with the blessings of joy so that for you God may be everything in your life… Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Mother, teach us to surrender everything to God, and through your intercession, to find ourselves in the hands of God, in peace and hope!

Let us pray:

Annunciation prayer of faith:

Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Word,

in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

You, through whom the universe was created,

in the womb of a humble and chaste Virgin.

At the annunciation of this miracle,

“Let it be done to me according to your word.”

May we who are made new creatures by your grace,

(written by David Bennett)

And our final day, the Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary!

Dear St. Joseph, foster father of us all, we love you!  You so faithfully stayed by the side of Mary when she gave Jesus to the world the first time. Help us now in our turn to stay faithfully by her side in Medjugorje.

Dear St. Joseph, you were always strong and resolute – in Bethlehem, in Egypt, and in Nazareth. You never wavered from the side of Mary. Help us to be strong and resolute and to never waver from her side.

Dear St. Joseph, help us to be faithful to the call of Our Lady and to witness to her presence in these days. St. Joseph, pray for us!!

Thank you, St. Joseph!!!

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!