Ave Maria Meditations
Our Lady is the throne of grace, in a very profound way. To her we can apply these words from the epistle to the Hebrews: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The throne is a symbol of the authority which belongs to Christ, Who is the King of the living and the dead. But the throne is a throne of grace and mercy, and we can apply it to Mary according to ancient liturgical texts; through her all graces come to us.
Mary’s protection is like a spiritual river which has been pouring down upon all men for nearly two thousand years.It is a tree that keeps giving fruit, a tree that God willed to plant with so much love. It is the immense treasure of Mary who is constantly caring for her children. What better way to obtain divine mercy than by having recourse to the Mother of God, who is also our Mother?
The plenitude of grace with which God wished to fill her soul is also an immense gift for us. Let us give thanks to God for having given us his Mother as our own, for having made her so exquisitely beautiful in her whole being. And the best way to thank him is to love her very much, to deal with her throughout each day, to learn to imitate her in her love for her Son – and in her complete availability for whatever refers to God.
We say to her: ‘Hail full of grace’ ‘” and we are captivated by so much greatness and so much beauty, as the Archangel Gabriel must have been when he appeared before her. Your name, Mother of God, your name! You are all love! All goodness, all beauty, ail majesty, all loveliness, all grace adorn our Mother. Doesn’t it make you fail in love, to have a Mother like that?
Fr. Francis Fernandez
