Spiritual Reflection

Last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother.  It’s a special day for me since in 1988 I began a journey that resulted in a Prayer Garden dedicated to Mary.  Bishop Tafoya of Pueblo, CO asked me to close the Marian year at St. Mary’s parish there.  In my homily, I challenged the people to build a shrine to the Blessed Mother.  In 1993, it was blessed and dedicated to Bishop Tafoya.  If you are ever in Pueblo, you need to visit the Prayer Garden.

Mary has appeared to us all over the world.  Always giving us the same message of faith, prayer, fasting, conversion and peace.  I guess today her message to us could be, “Doing right is never wrong.”   It’s important to share our love and devotion to her.  She gave us the great gift by saving us from turning to Jesus into an abstract theological doctrine.  She brought out the humanity of Jesus.  He belonged to a family, had friends he loved, and always was concerned about others.  His plan for us is to join HIM in the kingdom. 

So if your love of the rosary brings you closer to Jesus through Mary, Praise the Lord.   Whatever your prayer is, be grateful that you have such a great love for Mary.  When you visit your church, I share what is promoted at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris where it says, “This is a place where God enters peoples lives.”  Mary helps us do this.  And one day we will be able to thank her in person.  “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us you have recourse to thee.”