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Wednesday, December 20, 2023

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the school of mary

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” —Luke 1:35

Mary is a model disciple. She is worthy of being imitated.

  • As the maidservant of the Lord (Lk 1:38), Mary did God’s will, no matter what it entailed.
  • She welcomed the Holy Spirit when the Spirit overshadowed her (Lk 1:35). Accordingly, she ministered with the Spirit’s power and gifts during her visit to Sts. Zechariah and Elizabeth. After three months in Mary’s school, Zechariah’s mouth was opened to speak a prophecy that the Church repeats daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (Lk 1:68-79).
  • Mary gave her body to the Lord (Lk 1:38). So many people these days will not let the Lord have their body. Often in today’s me-first culture, we hear: “It’s my body, and my choice of what I do with it.”
  • Mary regarded her body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19-20) and lived a holy lifestyle.
  • She was pure and holy. Her Child was “holy” (Lk 1:35). We disciples of Jesus are to likewise be pure (1 Jn 3:3) and holy (1 Pt 1:16).
  • Mary was a prophetess. She prophesied her Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55), which the Church likewise prays daily in the Liturgy of the Hours.

As Christmas approaches, enroll in Mary’s school of discipleship. Learn a lesson from the model disciple.

Prayer:  Jesus, may I follow You as did Mary.

Promise:  “The virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel.” —Is 7:14

Praise:  “O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead Your captive people into freedom.”

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.