Yahoo! Day 9 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit through prayer and fasting. As I think about this last day of the novena my heart is drawn to our Blessed Mother Mary, who said yes in an absolute way to be the mother of the Son of God, Jesus, one we call our Emmanuel.
I love the Annunciation story in the infancy narrative in Luke’s gospel. Hearing the angel Gabriel proclaiming to Mary God’s plan of salvation for his people. How the Holy Spirit came upon her, the power of the most high overshadow her. Mary’s response how can this be? The angel Gabriel declares to Mary “for nothing will be impossible for God. Mary said, behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:26-38)
Mary’s definitive response to the Father’s request was for the whole of her life. Mary continued to say yes! Even as the sword pierces her heart with the words of Simeon, “your child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34), Mary, said yes. The finding of Jesus in the temple, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48) Mary, said yes. At the wedding feast in Cana in Galilee in John’s Gospel Mary says to Jesus “they have no wine… Mary says to the servers do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:3-5) Mary, said yes. Mary standing at the foot of the cross of Jesus… “Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, and said to his mother, woman, behold your son. Then he said to the disciple, behold your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (Luke 19:22 – 27) Mary, said yes. In the Acts of the Apostles in the upper room, “When they enter the city they went to the upper room where they were staying… All of these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus.” (Acts 1: 12-14) Mary, said yes.
Mary is that docile woman who heard deeply the voice of the Spirit in her in most being, enabling her to say yes throughout the entirety of her life. The Church teaches us that Holy Spirit is truly the guardian of the human heart. (Lumen Gentium, par.68) The Holy Spirit guarded the heart of Mary so tenderly and powerfully. The Holy Spirit wants to do to us what he did to Mary, and we too like Mary, need to give our definitive yes to the Holy Spirit in our lives.
As we conclude our 9-Day Novena to the Holy Spirit through prayer and fasting, I encourage you to pray with Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55. More so, to even sing the Magnificat, letting Mary’s words become your words through the power of the Holy Spirit, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Allow yourself to say yes to the Holy Spirit like Mary, allowing, giving permission to let the Holy Spirit become the guardian of your soul.
Come Holy Spirit- Come Now – Come as you May
God bless