Advent & How Mary Guides Us Closer to God – Dec 07 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Dec 07, 2024, a part of his reflections on the theme "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt in Mary" for Our Advent Day of Reflection. Here, he explains how devotion to Mary leads us closer to God, preparing us for Christ's coming through her intercession and example.

Father introduced the Advent season, focusing on its preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth. He emphasized the theological importance of devotion to Our Lady, illustrating that God's most profound union with humanity occurred through Mary during the Incarnation.

Key Theological Points:
The union of divine and human natures in Christ, enabled through Mary, demonstrates her essential role in salvation history.
Devotion to Mary does not compete with devotion to God but integrates with it, as Mary leads us closer to God. This principle aligns with the Catholic teaching that Mary is a mediatrix.

Biblical References:
The Incarnation is central to Christianity, reflected in passages like Luke 1:38 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?38, where Mary consents to God's plan.
The Memorare prayer encapsulates the trust in Mary's intercession, inspired by John 2:1-12 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/2?1-12, where Jesus performs His first miracle at her request.

Example of Transformation:
Dr. Sheila Kuzmic's story was shared to illustrate how devotion to Mary can lead to a profound conversion. Despite years of living disconnected from faith, her entrustment of her situation to Mary during a visit to a Marian site led to a powerful sense of sin and reconciliation with God. This story exemplifies the power of Marian intercession and devotion in overcoming sin and finding God.

This explains why the devil opposes Marian devotion because it undermines his influence. Saint Maximilian Kolbe stated that even a soul deeply mired in sin remains under Mary's protection if devoted to her.
CCC 971 - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/971.htm: This paragraph emphasizes Mary's role in the Church as an advocate and helper.
Father concluded by encouraging everyone to embrace devotion to Mary, invoking the Memorare prayer, and urged us to trust in her intercession.

00:00 - Opening Prayer and Introduction
00:19 - Importance of First Saturday in Advent
00:26 - Devotion to Our Lady and Advent
00:49 - Theological Reflection on the Incarnation
01:54 - Essential Nature of Devotion to Mary
02:26 - Overcoming Misconceptions about Mary
03:28 - Fruits of Devotion to Our Lady
05:00 - Dr. Sheila Kuzmic's Journey
07:54 - A Life-Changing Encounter with Mary
10:38 - Triumph of Devotion to Mary
12:13 - Concluding Prayer: The Memorare
12:50 - Final Blessing and Closing

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Ambrose - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=16
Readings: Saturday in the 1st Week in Advent - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120724.cfm
1st: isa 30:19-21, 23-26
Resp: psa 147:1-6
Gsp: mat 9:35, 10:1, 6-8

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1209&r=1252

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