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.)
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