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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for June 17, 2023

WHEN "IT" MEANS "THAT"

"His mother said to Him: 'Son, why have You done this to us? You see that Your father and I have been searching for You in sorrow.' " –Luke 2:48

When Mary was a teenager, she said to the Lord: "Let it be done unto me" (Lk 1:38). At this, she became the mother of God and seemingly an adulteress risking execution. Mary's "it" meant "that". Next, her "it" meant having her Baby in a stable (see Lk 2:7). Soon her "it" meant traveling with Joseph and the baby Jesus in the middle of the night to Egypt (see Mt 2:14). Twelve years later, Mary's "it" meant being separated from Jesus for three days at the Passover in Jerusalem (see Lk 2:44-46). This prefigured a Passover about twenty years later when Jesus would become the slain Passover Lamb. At the foot of the cross, Mary would witness her Son Jesus being slain. Mary's "it" also meant the first Christian Pentecost, her assumption into heaven, and her crowning as the Queen of heaven and earth.

The purpose of each person's life is to say with Mary: "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to God's word" (see Lk 1:38). Then when we find out the details of this fidelity, we must accept God's grace to be like Mary and be faithful to our unconditional commitment to the Lord. Consecrate your life to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Then never turn back (see Lk 9:62).

PRAYER: Father, may my commitment to You be total and permanent, as is Your commitment to me.
PROMISE: "All who heard [Jesus] were amazed at His intelligence and His answers." –Lk 2:47
PRAISE: Walter was not able to have victory over sexual temptations until he consecrated himself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College