INTRODUCTION For the past few weeks, we deepened on two of the very important means, as Verbum Dei: the

School of the Word and the School of Apostles. These have helped us to nourish our relationship with God and at the same time enable us to be effective in announcing the Word of God to many. This week we start to deepen on one of the very important pillars of our faith as disciples our Mother Mary. Our founder, Fr. Jaime, has written a very beautiful poem about her: Oh dearest Mother! You are so simple, so gentle and so sweet and you have been so steadfast in our lives. Teach us to learn how to say a constant Yes throughout our whole lives and always to walk forward by your side. (Poem by Jaime: Beloved Mother) Her simple but firm yes has allowed the Word of God to be made flesh through her life. She remained faithful to this call until the very end. As the angel greeted her, she believed and remained faithful for God, who began this good work will carry it on until it is finished (c.f. Phil. 1:6).

This week, let us journey with Mama Mary, learning from her example of simplicity and faithfulness. As Verbum Dei, let us also be open to Gods call of revealing His face through our lives. With this, we can also say may it happen to me as you have said. MONDAY Like Mary, God calls us where we are Whether we are single or married, students or working, young or old, God calls us in our present state and condition of life. Luke 1:26-28 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. He had a message for a young woman promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. Her name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you! Reflection: Like Mary, are you able to listen, and recognize God's call in the midst of your personal situations and

conditions of life? What is God's message for you today? TUESDAY Like Mary, we are called to be bearers of the Word of God Mary believed that God's call to her life has a purpose: to be Verbum Dei - Word of God made flesh. Jeremiah 1:4-8 The LORD said to me, I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations. I answered, Sovereign LORD, I don't know how to speak; I am too young. But the LORD said to me, Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say. Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken! Reflection: Do you believe that, like Mary, you can bring God's word to many people today through your life? In what way? WEDNESDAY Like Mary, let us be open to God's call

Mother Mary is a woman of Prayer, and it leads her to have full confidence in the Word of God. Luke 5:2-4 He saw two boats pulled up on the beach; the fishermen had left them and were washing the nets. Jesus got into one of the boats it belonged to Simon and asked him to push off a little from the shore. Jesus sat in the boat and taught the crowd. When he finished speaking, he said to Simon, Push the boat out further to the deep water, and you and your partners let down your nets for a catch. Reflection: How far will you go for the sake of the mission? Are you confident in the Word of God like Mother Mary? THURSDAY Like Mary, we are invited to be faithful as God is faithful From the Annunciation to the Birth of Jesus, even to the Calvary and to the Resurrection of her Son, Mother Mary faithfully believed and trusted the ways of God. Philippians 1:6

And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. Luke 1:35-38 The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said that she cannot have children, but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old. For there is nothing that God cannot do. I am the Lord's servant, said Mary; may it happen to me as you have said. And the angel left her. Reflection: Do we recognize how faithful God is to us every day? In spite of our shortcomings, God remains faithful and entrusts us the mission even if we feel we are not worthy. Can we continue doing the mission in spite of the obstacles along the way? FRIDAY Like Mary, our response is out of humility Mother Marys yes comes from a humble heart and does not come out of fear or

obligation as Gods chosen one. A humble heart recognizes the graciousness of God in the persons life and accepts wholeheartedly the desire and need of God to act through the person. Luke 1:29-38 Mary was deeply troubled by the angel's message, and she wondered what his words meant. The angel said to her, Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end! Mary said to the angel, I am a virgin. How, then, can this be? The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said that she cannot have children, but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old. For there is nothing that God cannot do. I am the Lord's servant, said Mary; may it

happen to me as you have said. And the angel left her. Matthew 5:5 Happy are those who are humble, they will receive what God has promised! Reflection: Like Mama Mary, do I recognize the graciousness of God and the gift of His Word in my life? How do I nurture this attitude of humility? Do I accept my weaknesses, mistakes, etc. to be free in my personal response to God and for His people? SATURDAY Like Mary, our response is to reveal the face of God The very name Verbum Dei, evokes in us a two-fold task: to reproduce and to reveal the face of God, one and Triune, identifying ourselves as much as possible to the Word made flesh. (c.f. VD constitutions) Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach the gospel to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God has appointed judge of the living and the dead. Reflection:

As Gods appointed one, how is my yes now in revealing Gods face to others? How am I living out this yes in my own reality? MARCH 10: 4th SUNDAY OF LENT First Reading: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12: The Passover celebrated Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34: The goodness of the Lord Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21: Be reconciled to God Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32: Lost and found

our Verbum Dei charism and mission: to be God's presence in this world.

GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER

Mary, the Lord is with you

(c.f. Luke 1:28)

50 Years in Your Word Mama Mary WEEK 1 March 4 - 10, 2013

Objective of the week: Through the yes of Mama Mary and our personal yes to the call we are able to live out