Fiat & Surrender

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Mary’s Fiat

Such a simple word that changed the world for all of us. Fiat, yes, I will. It was surrender and trust. Surrender to the world and absolute trust in God. It’s what we all say we want; the idea of total surrender; “thy will be done.” But we are afraid. What will people think? What if I suffer? Or maybe, I’ll suffer, Lord, this way not that.

Mary’s yes was to bring Jesus into the world in an ordinary way after a most extraordinary encounter. She lived an ordinary life, daughter, mother, cousin, wife – in the most radical of ways. In total surrender to God which gave her strength. We may view surrender as weakness, but when we surrender to the One who made us, it is not weakness. We are afraid to surrender because we are locked in our own weakness. We are afraid. “There is only one cure for fear – trust in God.”

The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander

I’m reflecting on the chapter, Fiat. This chapter is full of observations on what Mary said yes to and how she surrendered. It also gives insight into why we struggle with doing the same.

A few quotes:

  • There is only one cure for fear – trust in God.
  • We are afraid for ourselves, but a thousand times more afraid for those we love.
  • God asks for extreme courage in love; the Bride of the Spirit must respond with strength like Hos own strength. Our Lady did this.

 

Find a container of some sort, a box, an envelope, something you can open and close; then some small pieces of paper – now, write down your worries, concerns, struggles, fold them and pout them in the box. Give them to God. Trust and surrender to what he wants the outcome to be, let him deal with it all.

 

Fly to Mary

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Mary is our Mother who loves us and wants to help us. Ever since I was a little girl I have prayed this very special prayer asking for Mary to intercede, The Memorare. The image of prayers flying up to her in heaven where she then offers them to Jesus for me is very hopeful.

It is a prayer of trust in a mother who will never let us down, always listening to us and helping us.

St. Teresa of Calcutta had a special devotion to Mary and prayed this same prayer often, calling it her “Flying Novena.” She would pray 9 Memorares and then 1 more in thanksgiving for the answer. The Missionaries of Charity use it often. I have as well and by the end, either I have an answer, I am calm or the situation has resolved itself. All great outcomes!

I encourage you to pray this prayer and go to Mary and ask for her help.

And that’s the Not Lukewarm Challenge for the week.

 

If you have a chance, leave a review wherever you listen to this podcast. Then, drop me a comment and I’ll send you some encouraging scripture images. You can also sign up for my newsletter and I’ll do the same.

Our Lady wants to help untie the knots of our life

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Mary, the Blessed Mother, mother of Jesus and our mother too wants to help us always. We can turn to her in prayer and ask for help.

A recently re-discovered title of Mary is Mary Undoer or Untier of Knots. It is a famous painting in Augsburg, Germany. Pope Francis, when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aries, saw the image and popularized it and wrote a prayer in honor of it. Johann Melchior Georg Schmittdner painted Mary Undoer of Knots with great grace. Since 1700, his painting has been venerated in the Church of St. Peter in Perlack, Augsburg, Germany. It was originally inspired by a meditation of Saint Irenaeus (Bishop of Lyon and martyred in 202) making a comparison between Eve and Mary, saying:“Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it”.

File:Mary-Untier-of-Knots-1.jpg

Here is the prayer from Pope Francis:

Holy Mary, full of God’s presence during the days of your life,
you accepted with full humility the Father’s will,
and the Devil was never capable to tie you around with his confusion
Once with your Son you interceded for our difficulties,
and, full of kindness and patience you gave us example of how to untie the knots of our life.
And by remaining forever Our Mother,
you put in order and make more clear the ties that link us to the Lord.
Holy Mother, Mother of God, and our Mother,
to you, who untie with motherly heart the knots of our life, we pray to you to receive in your hands (the name of person) and to free him/her of the knots and confusion with which our enemy attacks.
Through your grace, your intercession, and your example,
deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God,
so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may have our hearts placed in Him and may serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen.
If you’d like to pray the full novena, you can look here.
the not lukewarm challengePray this every day for a specific intention. Put your needs into the hands of Mary.
If you leave a review, let me know(deannabartalini(at)mediaangels(dot)com and I’ll email you a set of beautiful scripture quotes!

Mary Mother of Jesus

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Mary Mother of Jesus | Mary, Mother of Jesus is known throughout humanity, nations and time. We can learn so much from her! Most Christians know her name and read about her in the Bible. | #podcast #christianpodcast #MadonnaMary Mother of Jesus – Episode 97

Mary, Mother of Jesus is known throughout humanity, nations and time. We can learn so much from her! Most Christians know her name and read about her in the Bible. She receives a staring role in the New Testament that begins with humble roots, becomes elevated by her, “Yes,” to the Angel, Gabrielle – the spokesperson for Almighty God and culminates in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Why are we discussing Mary – as I record this it isn’t anywhere near Christmas when people consider Mary’s part in redemption history as they set out a Nativity scene perhaps to commemorate the birth of Christ. Yet, I believe that Mary is more than that and we need to take a closer look. She is a kindred spirit. She suffered as we suffer, she felt compassion, loved, trusted God and she is our example.

Mary is known by many names, she is known as Mary Mother of Jesus, she is known as the Virgin Mary, as Theotokos in Greek  -Mary Mother of Jesus or in Easter Christianity and the Latin translation is Mother of God or God’bearer

Yet, while the Bible talks so little of Mary. We know her by her attributes:

  • She was a willing servant
  • She trusted God
  • Mary Obeyed God’s call
  • Mary had great suffering in her life

Can you imagine being a poor girl and learning that you were chosen by God for a great task? As a young Jewish girl, Mary must have learned as all the children did that they were awaiting a Messiah, a Savior to free them from Roman rule. She learned the Old Testament and she must have known about Isaiah and the prediction that a young virgin would bear a son, and he would be named Emmanuel which means God with us. Read all of Isiah 7 but the verse I will read to you is at follows and begins in verse 10-15

Emmanuel – God is With Us: Isiah 7: 10-15

When Mary was approached by the angel she didn’t say – “I’m sorry you’ve got the wrong person, didn’t you take a wrong turn at a castle somewhere?” No – she said, “Let it be done to me according to your Word.” She said yes.

How often do we feel like God asks us to do something and we are conflicted. As I’ve shared with you its happened to me often. Yet, Mary was from a poor and humble family. Luke 1:38

The Infancy Narrative is in the Scriptures and you can read the entire verses in Luke 1:1-50 read this in your Bible and think about the words and what they mean. How can you apply this to your life? Luke 1:26-45 especially announces the birth of Jesus to Mary by the angel Gabriel. He was sent by God, and Mary humble servant said, “Yes.” She then visited her cousin Elizabeth. She was unselfish. And the visit turned out to be a blessing when Elizabeth greeted Mary. “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Luke 1:42)

Mary Filled with the Holy Spirit: Responded with, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Luke 1:46-47  Mary needed a Savior, and her son was the Savior.

For many of us these verses are so familiar and if they are not for you – go back and revisit them, take your time, journal about them. While they are often read around Christmastime, it is so important we take time now to study them now.

God sent His Son for us – and God picked a humble lady. Now, Joseph’s lineage we read is from the house of David with a direct lineage to Abraham, this is very important and not the topic of today’s podcast. However, know that because of prophecy and the fulfillment of prophecy

First known miracle -wedding feast of Cana – do what he tells you.
Mary reminds us that Jesus serves our needs – but we must be obedient to Him.

She was present in the days before Pentecost and she was there at the foot of the cross

A woman of great courage and self-giving – went to visit Elizabeth to help her!

Isaiah 7:14 speaks of the Virgin Mother of Emmanuel
“Virgin-Mother of Emmanuel”: “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel.”

Emmanuel means God with us

The child – Jesus, would be a

Luke 1:46-49 – My soul magnifies the Lord …

Greatest of all saints – chosen by God, prepared by God to be the mother of his son – His divinity at the Council of Nicea was determined by defining his mother. Was Jesus half man and half God – God his human form from May and his Divinity from God or was he fully man and God – all as one?
Mary was called Mother of God –

Mary was immaculate by an act of God at the time she was conceived so that she would be sinless and therefore a worthy vessel

God gave Mary so many wonderful attributes of Grace
She is the symbol of hope, obedience, and pointing us constantly to her son – do what he tells you. Her life is a witness to the Glory of Jesus

Is Mary Mother of Jesus a Kindred Spirit?

Image Attribution:
Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato – http://www.bridgemanartondemand.com/art/104827/The_Madonna_in_Sorrow