Annunciation of the Lord
Luke 1:37 ” ‘For nothing is impossible with God’. Then Mary said, ‘Here I am Lord let it be with me according to your word’.”
‘Thy will be done’. It is within these four words the peace in our lives, hinge. We recite the Lord’s prayer countless times in our life but do we fully allow them to penetrate within our soul. On March 25, I was privileged, together with a Sister from our parish, to plan and present a retreat. In my heart, I felt a calling and yearned to inspire others. Now here and quite unexpected, was this amazing opportunity. There was a time, however, I neither felt confident nor worthy enough. When I arrived at the church I felt slightly nervous at the thought of giving a presentation to 31 lovely women. Normally, I would have tried to navigate, to calm, take care of last minute preparations but this time, I gave it to God. I was elated there was a mass being held upstairs, an hour before my retreat. I attended the mass. I offered it to Him. I prayed for His will to be done, not mine. In body, mind and soul. Beyond my will and my fears I wanted to live and share what God had intended. As I returned, my amazing husband had all the technological set ready and the incredibly lovely helpers had the venue simply perfect. My spirit and soul were calm and excited. I felt at peace. I felt called.
Prayer changes us. From the first moment I was asked to prepare the retreat the first thing I did, was pray. I wanted it to be God’s will for me, not my will. It came at a perfect time emotionally as I had given my emotional well being to God for Lent. My self centerdness, my fear, my insecurity and need to seek from others what ony God can give. It’s quite amazing how a beautiful life, is actually supposed to happen. How all things should truly unfold in love. Every thought and idea of what to include, always began with prayer. Even the name. Peace. With the Annunciation, suffering, spirit unrest, need for faith, there it was. The need for peace. Path of peace. Every step was fueled by prayer and contemplation. I could write an entire blog on the beauty of prayer and the Word, through it all.
Peace. We were created for Love. We were made from Love. Our soul becomes unsettled when we try to function out of that realm. Mary showed us peace and divine love from the time the Holy Spirit came upon her. Shocked, confused, afraid she still said, Yes. Do you doubt? Do you fear? What is God’s calling for you? Beyond all the words, events, people around you, God has a plan for you. We have only to be still and say, Yes. He knows us. He calls us. Every moment of our lives. When we put His wants and needs before our own, miracles happen.
On the journey to preparation, with prayer, the movie, Full of Grace, easily came to my heart. It’s a movie with such passion and thought provoking conversations, that deeply resonated with me. This movie is a powerful depiction of love and faith of mother and son of God and man and God. In uncertainty and listening to reasoning of the world, it was the voice of God that Mary heard and followed. It was that divine love and peace she was able to share. We think we can compass our lives, however, I have lived both and am proof that God’s divine plan and guidance, is supreme. I leave you with a meditative paraphrase from the movie, “The frailty of humanity is to never be satisfied, to always be seeking. Many have holes in their hearts so big that only He can fill them”.
In my reverence to Saint Mother Theresa and prayer we meditated on, “The Paradoxical Commandments” and the Homily of Pope Francis at the mass of canonization of Saint Mother Theresa. Amazing things happen when God and Mother Mary are exalted and at the center. A route made from only self, is short lived. A journey born of faith sustains us to the core of our soul. My eyes and heart were pointed to God. As I looked upon the gathering of lovely ladies, I seen a garden of the the most beautiful and precious flowers with hearts and souls open. Such amazing works can only come from God. To be able to share my passion of faith with others was truly an amazing experience. What utter joy to share gifts that God has given. Peace comes when we are still and when we say Yes to God’s divine love. “Nothing is impossible with God”, Luke 1:37.
Peace be with you,
Claudia
Our Nourished Soul
Another beautiful writing koukla. We need to give it all to God. Love you.