Anyways, it is a very powerful experience to go to a place where we know Mary was present. For me, I think my visit to the shrine marked a turning point in my Marian devotion. Oddly enough, being Hispanic, I heard the name Mary uttered all the time growing up- mostly in the frustrated interjection "Ave Maria!- however, even upon beginning to live the Faith, my religious focus has always been on Christ and Christ alone. With time I began praying to various saints. I have had trouble developing a profound devotion to Mary, which for years I have been told is highly beneficial and carries with it many blessings.
Why the obstacles? It may seem counterintuitive for some, especially in our protestantized culture, to picture how devotion to Mary is a profound expression of faith in Christ. And yet, today in the chapel of the Miraculous Medal, everything seemed to fall into place. Mary is, in and of herself, the embodiment of our spiritual journey and the physical manifestation of our metaphysical faith in the Lord. This is what the Rosary is all about- meditating on Mary to better understand Christ.
The altar in the chapel depicts very beautifully what I am talking about. Above the tabernacle is a majestic statue of Mary with arms outstretched. She stands upon the serpent and towers over the globe in a protective motherly manner. As I looked at the altar and the tabernacle, it was clear to me that Mary was and is the first tabernacle, the ark of the new covenant, which is Christ our Lord. She was the first to be saved, and her direct spiritual journey to the Kingdom of Heaven through her glorious Assumption is the perfection of what is for us an imperfect journey which we must all endure.
Mary is also an example of perfect submission to God's will, which in the end won her the greatest exaltation. This is what we are all called to as Christians. Such a profound paradox, as Pope John Paul II stated, is a sign of God's presence. By denying ourselves and accepting God's will, as well as the yoke of our mortal toils, we ultimately achieve the promised salvation. Mary gave herself up totally and completely to the Spirit, and in this way she became the living tabernacle of our Lord, just as we become, in a way, living tabernacles everytime we worthily receive our Lord in Holy Communion.
And just as Christ's body was pierced for our iniquities, Mary's heart was pierced by the most bitter sorrows of a mother viewing her son die for all of humanity. In this way, Mary, like Christ, shares in our deepest sorrows and understands them, such that she is our most trusted advocate before Christ.
The Miraculous Medal really is just that. It is such a simple thing, and yet reflecting on its symbols and meanings along with the overall meaning of Mary in our lives can bring us to a profound appreciation for our heavenly mother.
For my part, I have by no means reached any sort of summit in my devotion to Mary. I will say, though, that the journey ahead looks beautiful. If you find yourself frustrated in your Marian devotion or are unable to really immerse yourself in it, do not worry. All things transpire in God's time. Be patient in prayer and persevere knowing that, no matter what, our Blessed Mother smiles lovingly upon us.
About the Miraculous Medal
No comments:
Post a Comment