Thought for Stormy Day
"Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. (Luke 6:20)
Today, September 12th, is the Feast of Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Honoring Mary’s name in the liturgy goes back to the sixteenth century, when individual churches celebrated the feast of the Name of Mary. In 1683, Pope Innocent XI made September 12 a feast of the universal Church to honor Mary’s name and to thank her for her protection.
Mary’s name means “star of the sea” in Hebrew. Just as sailors caught in a storm will use the stars to keep their coarse, we can look to Mary as our “star” who keeps us on the path that Jesus marked out for us. If we get off track in our life, we can look to Mary and she will guide us back to Jesus and his Church.
St. Bernard wrote: “As you struggle through the stormy sea of life, do not turn away from Mary, star of the sea. If the winds of temptation blow your little boat, or if you are headed toward the rocks of suffering, look at the star—call Mary! If you are tossed by waves of ambition or envy, look at the star—call Mary! If anger or greed rocks the little boat of your heart, look at Mary! If you are getting discouraged because of your sins, think of Mary! In dangers and difficulties, remember Mary—call Mary! Do not let her name be far from your lips. Keep the thought of her fixed in your heart! She will keep you from losing your way. She will protect you so you have nothing to fear. She will guide you to Jesus, your Savior!” (Saint A Day, iMissal)
When we experience sadness, doubt, or disappointment, do we think of Mary and call to her
Do we believe that Mary truly loves us and wants us to be happy?
How is Mary leading us closer to Jesus?
As St. Methodius says, "thy name, O Mother of God, is filled with divine graces and blessings,". So much so, that St. Bonaventure declares, "that thy name, O Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who does so devoutly."
Thomas a Kempis affirms "that the devils fear the Queen of heaven to such a degree, that only on hearing her great name pronounced, they fly from him who does so as from a burning fire."
The Blessed Virgin herself revealed to St. Bridget "that there is not on earth a sinner, however devoid he may be of the love of God, from whom the devil is not obliged immediately to fly, if he invokes her holy name with a determination to repent."
Therefore, it’s appropriate that we should pronounce her name, often: in times of temptation to seek her aid in confronting sin; in time of danger, in times of trial and difficulty to seek her help and prayers in bearing our cross; and like a child pointing out something delightful or beautiful to his mother, pronouncing her name in times of joy and thanksgiving throughout the day. When Jesus was dying on the cross, he gave Mary to us to be our mother. “Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’” (John 19: 26)
With sincerity and love, let us seek Mary’s intercession as we pray fervently “Hail Mary full of grace…
Mary, Mother of the Church, deliver us from the gathering storm of our live and our Church.
Peace in Most Holy Name of Mary,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen
Sent by Fr. Vincent Nguyen on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 7:15AM