"Hail Mary" - the Word of God germinates in our soul.

Recently I have become Scott Hahn's friend on facebook, and it gives me such a shot of JOY when I read his posts!  Recently he was with his wife and son in Rome, and realizing the roots of his journey into the Church just makes each sharing about the Pope and The Church that much more wonderful and powerful!  This morning he had this picture and spoke about The amazing feast day today of The Annunciation with these words - Scott Hahn

"A blessed Feast of the Annunciation to all! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, that we may love and serve your Son, as you always do."  Knowing that as a Protestant Mary would be totally disliked and misunderstood and neglected - it just makes his proclamation to the world of her being #1 The Mother of God and #2 the path to loving and serving her Son, and #3 bringing our needs to her in prayer that she in turns prays for us... it just makes the Truth of our amazing True Church that much more rich and glorious to share the discovery with this on fire convert or should I say revert?  Nancy and Bill went to a marriage day for those that have been married 7 years of less, and the priest there said that those that have entered the Church are not converts but reverts in that we are coming back into the True Church!  Take note, dad!

Sunbathing claves out on fresh bedding... caring for little ones is a lot of work for the farmer and also for the mothers of all new life.  This day is the beginning of all renewal of LIFE... through God entering the world in human form in the womb of Mary.  So cool the way the Church has this feast 9 months from the birth of Jesus!  I love our Church, and it is a joy to share that with those that feel the same way about it!  With all the greatest minds, hearts and souls of the world working to get us to heaven - guiding us through the dogmas, the sacraments, the Word, the Saints, Our Lady, Queen of the Saints, the sacramental, more than we can ever need!  Just reach out start those Hail Marys - as we say these words from the Gospel over and over a peace fills us and "the Word of God germinates in our soul."  see www.magnificat.com That was amazing to read this morning as Pat and I shared prayer before the day ahead of us!  All I know is that these were my constant source of strength and comfort as we faced John's battle against brain cancer, little grandson, Patrick, born dead and then brought back to healing in NICU for 2 weeks, the pregnancies of Ruth and now Maria, each and every one of the challenges we face with our kids, kids-in-law, grandkids, my own, my family's challenges, Pat's family's challenges, our parents... the list is very long and all we face is lifted to Jesus through Mary and her prayer of the rosary. 

Mother cows standing over their little ones and licking them in love and care.
Today I long to get into Adoration and there I am filled with great sustenance as I place all those in our families in the monstrance with Jesus!  Knowing that my family is over 100 and Pat's is not that much behind... you can imagine how powerful it is!  I find myself smiling broadly and raising my hands with praise as I am newly aware of a new one to add - most recently it was a baby expected by a niece as well as a new grandchild Maria is expecting at the same time.  There is no secrets or holding back in our family as we know the importance of the prayers, and want those to surround the new little life as soon as possible!  How powerful to know that the Word we say in the "Hail Mary" causes that Word to germinate in us!  May we die to self, so that You may live and move and have your being in us, O Lord!  There is nothing more special and exciting than to feel that new life within you moving for the first time!  After the first months of the yucks/morning sickness and fatigue, the stirring of that little one in your womb is a private "thank you, mom, for suffering for me to have life."  The movement is very inward, and private, and personal, and brings joy!

The rosary gifted to Patrick early in his rebirth and fight for LIFE from an older man attending a mass for him.  We found out later that many of the prayers on this beloved mended rosary were said for his grown son with Downs Syndrome, Patrick!  Such a powerful testament to the power of prayer, and now to Patrick's healing!

The most recent picture of Patrick from Maria's blog yesterday!  The beauty of healing for all to see!  In a few months Patrick will be a big brother!  Please continue to pray for a safe pregnancy for Maria and the baby on this feast day for all LIFE!  Jesus, we are filled with such Hope for all our needs this day as we are reminded of the salvation we have been given through the womb of Mary, the Mother of God and our Spiritual Mother of heaven and earth!  "In Jesus, God has placed, in the midst of barren, despairing mankind, a new beginning which is not a product of human history but a gift from above."  Pope Benedict XVI  "Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will."  Psalm 40:8-9 from mass today.  This is what Mary said to the angel, and so we were blessed with newness of LIFE!  We were given the ability to be totally Yours, O Lord.  To die to self, so the Holy Spirit may dwell in our hearts, minds and souls!  Such a blessing to sit in the confessional last evening and lay my burdens at your feet - it hurt to see how sinful I am and to acknowledge this, yet to know of your unconditional LOVE and forgiveness for me!  May I go forth now closer to You and serving you in all those I encounter in my domestic Church/family.  Jesus, I trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your Word."  Mary to the angel in the Gospel today! 

"Hail Mary

 full of grace

 The Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women,

 and Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.  Amen"

May we always embrace The Truth with all we have!

Danielle Rose - Let it be done unto me