THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 15

CREDO--- "DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU"

Brethren in Christ, we have come to yet another captivating season, where we digested the Word of God, the Incarnate Son of the Father. This season promised to invite both Catholics and non-Catholics to appreciate the role of the Mary, Mother of God... and I hope it did too.

I thank you for allowing me to flood your walls, groups and timelines via Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter and the like to reach out with my short teachings on the faith. I thank you my cherish readers and those who shared my short teachings.

Today, we conclude the series which began six years ago while I was in the seminary. I would like to conclude with these insights from Fr. Oscar Lukefahr.

We are all meant to share in the mission of Christ, coworkers with Christ in the work of salvation. When Paul said, "In my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church" (Col 1:24), he was describing how he, and all believers, share in the redemptive work of Christ. Bearing this in mind, we are surely being faithful to the Bible and to Christ when we call Mary our Mother, Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix.

She is an Advocate who supports and encourages us in our efforts to follow Christ in our prayers to him; A Helper who assist us by her own prayers and example; A Benefactress who invites us as a patron to receive the graces only her son can bestow; And a Mediatrix who brought Christ into the world two thousand years ago and who forever brings him to us. And as she does, she says to us, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5).

Through the Church, we have learned that God's power is capable of conquering sin to such an extent that Mary could be kept free of sin by her son. We have honored Mary as Mother of God, and so have been strengthened in our belief that Jesus is our Lord and God.

In conclusion, by acclaiming Mary as Mother of the Church, Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix, we have been opened to the many ways Christ's grace is showered upon us and to the opportunities we have to bring Christ to others. May our Mother continues to intercede on our behalf. Amen!

Don't forget to join Roman Catholic Church near you to conclude this year's edition of the October Rosary and Extraordinary Mission Month.

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Ps_23📖

#Grace_Abounds💫

©2019

NB: I also want take this opportunity to thank Pope Francis for conferring on me the Apostolic Blessings, which was a surprise, delivered to me. Thank you Pope Francis for the Divine graces, not forgetting Fr A. Anthony.

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 14

THE FULLNESS OF TIME!

Out of the 13 Pauline Letters, one of them gives us an idea about the Mother of God. Would you guess the title of that Letter? It used the phrase "fullness of time" in chapter 4 verse 4. I hope you got it correct?... Well, the title is "The letter of Paul to the Galatians"!

The Pauline Letters or Epistles include the collection of letters either written by or attributed to the apostle Paul that are part of the New Testament. They include 13 writings: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

Galatians is one of the letters of St Paul, composed around A.D. 54 to emphasize that salvation came from Jesus Christ, not from observance of the Old Testament laws. 

One passage relating to Mary derives from this context. Paul wrote that Christ came to make us God's children. Christ alone had the power to do this because he was both divine and human. It reads: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children" (4:4-5).

The expression "born of a woman" is intended to show Christ's real humanity. The Son of God is also the Son of a human mother. It may seem strange that Paul says no more about Mary.

Paul relates almost nothing about the life and miracles of Jesus, so its not surprising that he says little about Mary. His preaching ministry began six years after Christ's Resurrection. But the very fact that Paul shows Christ to be the Son of God and of a human mother intimates a great deal about Mary. She is the mother of God's Son.

The principle that the Holy Spirit guides the Church gradually to a fuller understanding of truth is relevant to our study of Mary. Our exploration over the days have made us discover how, in the fullness of time, the early Church led by the Holy Spirit, gave rise to a deeper appreciation of Mary's role in our Redemption.

To be Continued ...

Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, Pray for us!

Don't forget to be part of this year's climax of the October Rosary and Extraordinary Mission Month.

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 13

BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER!

John the Son of Zebedee or the Beloved Disciple,  has his own style of writing. You would notice that he doesn't employ explicitly the synoptic writers' (Matthew, Mark and Luke) styles of writing. John wrote in his old age to supplement the synoptic Gospels, with his own, more meditative memories.  

John presents Jesus as the Eternal Word of God who became a human being (Incarnation) and lived among us (1:14). This book was written to show that Jesus is the Promised Saviour, the Son of God, and eternal life through faith in him. John also wrote the Epistles (1,2,3 John). Apocalypse (Revelation) was written by a "certain John" who is neither the beloved disciple nor the Son of Zebedee. However,  we shall study it under "John".

For our purpose today, we shall look at the Gospel and the book of Revelation and their messages on the Mother of God.

John affirms the incarnation but does not mention Mary's role but the prologue attests that Mary's child, Jesus Christ, is God. Mary is introduced at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee (2:1-11). In this episode, Mary calls Jesus' attention to the fact that the hosts have run out of wine. Jesus apparently refuses to intervene, but then changes six large containers of water into "fine wine". This passage presents Mary as one who believes in Jesus and who intercedes for others.

John also presents the relations of Jesus (2:12). He states Jesus' brothers didn't believe in him (7:5). A theme often used by John is "misunderstanding". After Jesus speaks of himself as the bread that came down from heaven, the audience retorted  how can he say so? (6:42) This is because, the audience know only of his human nature( as the Son of Mary and perhaps Joseph) but not his divine nature.

Mary makes a final appearance in John's Gospels at the crucifixion of Jesus (19:25-27). The other writers do not include Mary among those women who witnessed Christ's death, but John places her near the Cross. With her is the disciple whom Jesus loved and Jesus entrusted them to each other. (Behold your mother,... Behold your Son)!

The book of Revelation was written after AD 90 to give reassurance to Christians during a persecution by the Roman Emperor Domitian. Chapter 12 of it draws its imagery from a number of Old Testament passages and makes several complex parallels between individuals and groups. Mary becomes an image of the Church, and the "woman clothed with the sun" (12:1), seems to be both Mary and the Church.

The Gospel writers  portrayed Mary as the mother who miraculously conceived the Son of God and gave birth to the Saviour of the World. Will you also appreciate her as your mother in the words of Jesus "Behold your Mother"?

To Be Continued.... 

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 12

TO DO YOUR WILL

As we have been journeying, in our quest for insight into the Scriptures and, in particularly the relation of the Son of God to the mother, we shall look at what the writer of Luke and Acts of the apostles has to say on Mary. These are revelatory moments I wish you to cherish and keep reading about. The Church is so rich with the treasures of the Word of God undiluted. As usual, we shall do a brief look at the the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. Because it is the same person who wrote both books.

Luke begins his gospel showing that Mary heard the word of God and kept it. She received the Holy Spirit, and Christ came into the world. Luke begins Acts by noticing the presence of Mary with the apostles and the other believers. With them she receives the Holy Spirit, and the Church goes forth into the world. She has a unique relationship of Jesus as his physical mother. She has a special place in Christ's body, the Church.

Luke testifies to the virginal conception of Jesus as Matthew does, but he also witnesses to the Church's growing awareness of Mary's singular place in God's designs. As the humble servant of God, Mary responds obediently to God's will, and her response occasions the miraculous conception of God's Son. 

As Luke begins narrating the public ministry of Jesus, he alludes to the virginal conception of Jesus by referring to him as "the son of Joseph" (3:23). He places the rejection of Nazareth at the beginning of Christ's Galilean ministry.

She is praised by the angel and by Elizabeth... She sung her canticle of praise known as the Magnificat. The Magnificat is carefully woven from many Old Testament passages and highlights a number of themes such as joy, God's care for the poor, and the Lord's faithfulness in fulfilling Old Testament promises. She is seen by Simeon as one who must suffer along with her son. Twice, Luke describes her as one who treasures the mysterious words and works of God.

Firstly, Luke's high estimation of Mary is even more obvious when he relates the family's visit to Jesus during his public ministry. (8:19-21). When Mary and the family were unable to reach Jesus because of the crowd, they sent words to him. And the response .... "Hear and Act upon God's Word" are my mother and brothers and sisters. Luke's infancy narrative will immediately recognise Mary as one who heard God's word, reflected on it and obeyed it. Secondly, Luke does the similar report in 11:27-28.

Therefore, Luke praises Mary because she is Mother of the Lord and because she hears and observes God's word.

To Be Continued....

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 12

TO DO YOUR WILL

As we have been journeying, in our quest for insight into the Scriptures and, in particularly the relation of the Son of God to the mother, we shall look at what the writer of Luke and Acts of the apostles has to say on Mary. These are revelatory moments I wish you to cherish and keep reading about. The Church is so rich with these treasures of the Word of God undiluted. As usual, we shall do a brief look at the the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles.

Luke begins his gospel showing that Mary heard the word of God and kept it. She received the Holy Spirit, and Christ came into the world. Luke begins Acts by noticing the presence of Mary with the apostles and the other believers. With them she receives the Holy Spirit, and the Church goes forth into the world. She has a unique relationship of Jesus as his physical mother. She has a special place in Christ's body, the Church.

Luke testifies to the virginal conception of Jesus as Matthew does, but he also witnesses to the Church's growing awareness of Mary's singular place in God's designs. As the humble servant of God, Mary responds obediently to God's will, and her response occasions the miraculous conception of God's Son. 

As Like begins narrating the public ministry of Jesus, he alludes to the virginal conception of Jesus by referring to him as "the son of Joseph" (3:23). He places the rejection of Nazareth at the beginning of Christ's Galilean ministry.

She is praised by the angel and by Elizabeth... She sung her canticle of praise known as the Magnificat. The Magnificat is carefully woven from many Old Testament passages and highlights a number of themes such as joy, God's care for the poor, and the Lord's faithfulness in fulfilling Old Testament promises. She is seen by Simeon as one who must suffer along with her son. 

Twice, Luke describes her as one who treasures the mysterious words and works of God. 

Firstly, Luke's high estimation of Mary is even more obvious when he relates the family's visit to Jesus during his public ministry. (8:19-21). When Mary and the family were unable to reach Jesus because of the crowd, they sent words to him. And the response .... "Hear and Act upon God's Word" are my mother and brothers and sisters. Luke's infancy narrative will immediately recognise Mary as one who heard God's word, reflected on it and obeyed it. Secondly, Luke does the similar report in 11:27-28.

Therefore, Luke praises Mary because she is Mother of the Lord and because she hears and observes God's word.

To Be Continued....

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 11

"MISUNDERSTOOD AND PERSECUTED"

Part 10 concluded with a question. The preamble reads: Mary's singular role is further highlighted by the presence of four other women in the genealogy of Jesus. What are their names?

Their names are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. Each had a special place in the line which led to Jesus. They point to Mary as Mother of the Messiah.

Today, we shall look briefly at the Gospel of Mark and it's message on the Mother of God, dubbed "Misunderstood and Persecuted". 

The Gospel writer of Mark wrote for Christians who faced misunderstanding and persecution. He chose to paint a portrait of Christ as one who was misunderstood and persecuted, thereby helping his audience to identity Christ. The colours he used to paint such a picture were applied even to Mary.

Mary appears in the gospel with relatives of Jesus who are called his Brothers and Sisters example, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas.

By the time the relatives of Jesus appeared on the scene in Mark, Jesus has been teaching for some time. He has been grieve by misunderstood on the part of most of his hearers and by opposition from various Jewish factions.

Mark clearly wanted to present the relatives of Jesus as an other group of people who misunderstood him. Mark wished to state that the real family of Jesus is made up of those who do God's will. 

He does not name Mary  among those who said that Jesus was out of his mind (3:21). He merely includes her among the relatives who wanted to see Jesus. But Mark places her outside with those relatives, contrasting them with the disciples around Jesus.

Mary is mentioned again by name in chapter 6:2-3, where Jesus returned to his native place to teach in the synagogue. The reaction he gets from his hearers is understanding and resentment. 

Will you also leave because you are misunderstood and persecuted for doing what's right and true?

To Be Continued...

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!🙏🏽

# Ave_Maria

#Grace_Abounds💫

You can download the app using this link to read more: https://goo.gl/A4f8rB

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 10

THE COMPENDIUM

Last week, we ended by saying "the four gospels give us most of the information we have about Mary's life on earth, and they initiate Mary's role in our salvation."

Today, we shall start synthesizing what the four Gospels have, dubbed "The Compendium". We shall contrast Matthew and Mark briefly, and our focus shall be the public ministry of Jesus.

When Jesus was about thirty years, John the Baptist started to preach in the Judean wilderness. Jesus saw John's preaching as a sign that it was time to undertake his ministry. He went to John for baptism, spent forty days in fasting and prayer, then began to teach throughout Judea and Galilee. Cf Mt.3-4

Matthew, like Mark, says little about Mary once Jesus begins his public ministry. He follows Mark in reporting the effort by Jesus' relatives to see him (Mt12:49-50). However, Matthew omits the statement that Jesus' relatives intended to restrain him because they though he was out of his mind. In doing so, he softens the negative impression created by Mark.

Matthew describes the rejection of Jesus in his hometown in the same way as Mark. Matthew speaks of Jesus as " the carpenter's son" instead of "the carpenter". In the list of the brothers of Jesus, Matthew changed Joses to Joseph, perhaps a variant spelling of the name (Matthew 13:54-58).

Matthew makes no further mention of Mary. But this gospel written about ten years after Mark, by its positive picture of Mary as Mother of the Messiah and by its softening of Mark's approach to Jesus' family, shows that the early Church was moving towards a greater appreciation of Mary's role in God's plan for our salvation.

The author of this gospel wrote for Christians with Jewish backgrounds. He wanted to show that Jesus was the Messiah for whom faithful Jews had long hoped. He accomplished this by not only quoting Old Testament prophecies (Mt 1:23, 2:6) but by subtle allusions to the Old Testament personalities and events.

By saying that Jesus was born of Mary, but not Joseph, Matthew hints at the virginal conception. Mary's singular role is further highlighted by the presence of four other women in the genealogy. What are their names?

To be Continued....

Mary, Mother of Christ, pray for us🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 9

THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

 At times, Catholics may seem overly enthusiastic in their devotion to Mary. But if we consider the kind of adulation commonly paid to movie stars, sports figures, and singers, we would probably have to admit that Mary comes second best. The real problem is that we do not honor Mary too much, but that we honor her too little.  

Why are you afraid to say "all generations shall call Mary blessed"? That's actually the joy of the Gospel. Because her blessedness is linked to her Immaculate Conception.   The four gospels have for their main purpose the proclamation of Christ as Son of God and Savior of the world. They offer few details about the first thirty years of Christ's life, focusing instead on his public ministry, death and resurrection. They speak infrequently of Mary, and when they do, their aim is to shed light on Christ and his mission. But the gospels still tell us enough about Mary to reveal her as the most important woman in the history of the human race.  

Since our knowledge of Jesus Christ and his mother is drawn largely from the gospels, we should be aware of the gospels' nature and purpose. Some people have supposed that the gospels are simple documents written by four individuals shortly after the resurrection to retell the life and teaching of Jesus. But recent advances in Scripture scholarship have shown that the gospels are much more.
 
The four gospels give us most of the information we have about Mary's life on earth, and they initiate Mary's role in our salvation.  

To Be Continued...  
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, Pray for us

   #Ave_Maria
 #Grace_Abounds💫  

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 8

THE MOTHER'S ROLE

This is the Catholic vision of life, drawn from the teaching and life of Jesus Christ that, Mary's place in it is both essential and unique. She stands precisely at the focal point of human history. She was one of those who lived before Christ and hoped for the Messiah. She was the first person to accept Jesus Christ in faith and to welcome him into human existence. Because Jesus was miraculous conceived in Mary's womb by God's power, she is the only person through whom Jesus Christ is related to us and to the rest of the human race.... Wow! What a mother!

God chose Mary, therefore, for the most important role in history after that of Jesus. Her obedience to God and her dedication to Jesus set her above all others. It's true, of course that Mary could not have become the Mother of Christ without the grace of God. But God depended on Mary's consent to the incarnation and without Mary's faithful obedience, Christ would not had entered our history as he did.

So the first reason Catholics honor Mary, Mother of God is that she played the most important part in God's plan to bring Jesus Christ into the world.

Because Mary is a woman, she models those aspects of God's goodness which we usually recognize as feminine. God is always addressed as "Father" rather than "Mother" in the Bible, but both paternal and maternal roles are ascribed to God. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you says prophet Isaiah (66:13) as God's address to Israel. Jesus compares himself to a mother hen protecting her chicks under wings (Luke 13:34).

Scripture used images which assign feminine characteristics to God in both the Old and New Testament. These images find their finest expression in Mary, Mother of God.

I agree with Oscar Lukefahr when he said: Mary, the "virgin-handmaid" of the Lord, portrays trust and humble submission to God. Mary, the Madonna, cradling the baby Jesus in her arms, depicts God's loving tenderness. Mary, the Pieta, receiving the broken body of Christ from the cross personifies compassion and hope. These and countless other images of Mary have put the human family in touch with God in unique and powerful ways...

To be Continued...

Mary Mother of God, pray for us🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽
#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 7

Welcome to yet another interesting day and fascinating episode. For some time now, we have been looking at mental prayer, the rosary and silence. This week, we shall take another mention of the Catholic faith. Fasten your seatbelt and stay glued. I believe you are following keenly and educating yourself? ...

Today we shall look at:  REDISCOVER YOUR MOTHER

"For Mary fills the pages of Scripture from the beginning of the first book through the end of the last. She was there, in God's plan, from the beginning of time, just as the apostles were, and the Church, and the Savior, and she will be there at the moment everything is fulfilled. Still her motherhood is a discovery waiting to be made." ~Scot Hahn

Mothers are most difficult people to study. They elude our scrutiny. By nature and by definition, they are relational. They can be considered as mothers only in their relationship with their children. Yet as close as nature keeps us to our mothers, they remain mysterious to their children.

As the mother of God, Mary is the mother par excellence. So as mothers are elusive, she will be more so. As mothers give of themselves, she will give more. As mothers point beyond themselves, Mary will to a much greater degree.

A true mother, Mary considers none of her glories her own. After all, she points out, she is only doing God's bidding: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; Let it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). Even when she recognizes her superior gifts, she recognizes that they are gifts: "All generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:48). For her part, Mary's own soul magnifies not herself but the Lord.

For all that She does and all that she is, flows from her relationship with God and her correspondence to His divine plan. She is His mother. She is His spouse. She is His daughter. She is His handmaid.

Let's ponder on these few insights from Scot Hahn in what he termed "Step Up"!

Let's walk with God's people through the moments of creation and fall and the promise of redemption, from the giving of the Law to the establishment of a kingdom. At every turn, we'll find the promise of a homeland, complete with a dazzling queen who is also a mother to her people.

At every turn we'll also find the promise of a home, complete with a mother who is also a powerful intercessor for her children.  At the most important stage, we will find a queen mother who alone can complete Christ's kingdom and His Home.

Even if you feel you must start this journey of rediscovering your mother a few space behind, at a distance from history's Most Blessed Mother--- I beg you to keep walking with me, and with Mary, towards our common destination, our common home in the heavenly Jerusalem.

This is just beginning of Mary, Mother of God in the Scriptures.


Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽
#Grace_Abounds💫