From the Gaze of Mary

As we continue to walk during these unusual circumstances of precautions and social distancing, the very light of Mary’s life inserts us into a new perspective of what Christians are prompted to do in times of tribulation. Shortly before, I was struck by the reading of “The True Devotion to Mary” by St. Louis de Montfort. In this reading, I find significant the way the author examines the perfect and faithful discipleship of Mary. Mary, as the Mother of Jesus, along with St. Joseph, was undoubtedly the first and most crucial spiritual influence that Jesus ever had. Furthermore, the rock-solid spiritual foundation of Jesus was a faithful reflection of what Mary may have taught him over the pass of the years. The first feature I felt inspired by, is her ability to keep her faith centered on God’s providence, without falling into despair or hopelessness. Even though She may not have understood many of the immediate events happening in her life, Mary shines by her permanent confidence in God’s action. She understood that part of her vocation was prominently a mystery, to the extent that She remains in silence most of the time as a clear sign of prayer. Such maturity in faith was indeed transmitted to Jesus as He was readying himself for carrying out the salvific commission that God entrusted to Him on earth.

A second feature I’d like to bring up is her very solid discernment. The virtue of discernment illumines Mary in every decision to the extent that She enables herself to be intimately shaped by God’s hand as the purest and most perfect created human being on earth. She is the model of discernment as we strive to become better disciples of Jesus. Nevertheless, as it occurs in her faith, the virtue of discernment would not be possible without carrying out a magnificent life of prayer. Thus, we observe that Jesus’s robust skills in prayer were certainly learned from Mary as well. To sum up, as we may notice, both her faith and discernment are grounded in prayer. All Christians are prompted to call to mind Mary’s example by awaiting with confidence in God’s promises despite our surrounding circumstances. Furthermore, as Mary did, we are called to make our lives an act of prayer to live out our vocation faithfully and courageously. With her example, May Mary strengthen our faith and cultivate in us a growing desire to place ourselves in prayer before God’s abundant love.