Lots of special prayer time this morning with Pat, then John sharing the office after breakfast, and finally some time sharing the wonder of this miraculous feast with Pat's mom and sister! As John and I prayed I placed my face in my hands and just wept for the wonder of it all!!!! Next to me was the National Geographic which named Mary the Most Powerful Woman in the Word! John recalled how Mary brought my family - all 13 of us into The Church as my mother developed a devotion to Mary and there is no other place to be! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
We were a bit premature lighting the Gaudete/Rejoice!/3rd Sunday of Advent while we prayed this morning with the wonderful icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which Son-in-law, Billy, got while in Mexico a month ago - it was blessed at the shrine!
Adding to how Our Lady led the way for my family... all the places around the world she has appeared to the humble and lowly. Today in 1531 to Juan Diego! Through this appearance and the miracle of roses in winter, which he filled his cloak/tilma and then pouring them out - the miraculous image appeared! It exists to this day at the Shrine my Mexico City and she has brought millions to The Church and Christ! From a true culture of death that made human sacrifice to gods, to that of LIFE!

So much to learn about the meaning of this image! How I love her and thank her for walking with me always!
The first reading from Zechariah 2 - Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they shall be his people, and he will dwell among you, and you shall know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me to you... This has occurred over the world over the generations of Mary coming to many of the lowly and humble, many of them children!
Another option for the first reading is Revelations 11-12 and we see the words come to life here in the image - A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars...
I was very moved and touched and each day is made peaceful and my anxieties and fears are gone... as the angel says to Mary in Luke 1 today - "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." The "fear not" comes to me through her and my constant prayer of her rosary beads each day... so thrilling to see the words coming to us from both Gospel options today The Annunciation and The Visitation! "Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you." from The Annunciation, and "Most Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." How can fault be found in The Rosary in which we ponder the life of Jesus, and we repeat words from scripture? I feel sadness for those that don't know about or use this amazing gift!
Beside the couch the prized Nat Geo with the article about Mary and all she has done to bring the world to Jesus and His Church!
Jesus, I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude for your Mother's care and love for us to the point that she comes and begs of us to join her in prayer for the needs of this world! How she longs to end the culture of death and darkness and bring all to the LIGHT OF CHRIST! I love to visit the shrine in Kansas City in the Little Sister's Monastery - Lumen Christi/Light of Christ! I am so filled to overflowing and I long to share your LIGHT and your Truth at all times - answering "yes" to the calls to serve without counting the cost. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Mary with her namesake - no better name is there! Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Two gifts from Bill's two trips to Mexico in the last couple years, and a wooden image from John when he went to Guatemala about 10 years ago.
She bears and protects ALL LIFE!
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