Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Pro Sanctity recently sponsored an ENDOW study on John Paul II's Letter to Women. It was a beautiful study and the participants received much grace! The women of the study have been asked to share their reflections and graces as we prepare for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Day One:

“The maternal ‘reign’ of Mary consists in this; she who was, in all her being, a gift for her Son, has also become a gift for the sons and daughters of the whole human race, awakening profound trust in those who seek her guidance along the difficult paths of life on the way to their definitive and transcendent destiny. Each one reaches this final goal by fidelity to his or her own vocation; this goal provides meaning and direction for the earthly labors of men and women alike” (John Paul II, Letter to Women, 10).

There is sometimes a certain amount of fear and hesitation in giving of ourselves because deep down we want to be received and fear that we will not be. Even more so for women, the desire to be fully received is strong in our hearts. Therefore, we sometimes create safety nets when we give. In giving gifts, we give people gift receipts in case they do not want it. We excuse or belittle our efforts with “This might not be good or right, but…” We hold back in relationships and do not share who God has made us to be. In Letter to Women, John Paul II recalls Vatican II teaching that man "cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of self" (Gaudium et spes, 24).

In order to fully give of ourselves, we must first believe that we have received Everything from God. He will give us all we need to respond to what He is asking of us to give. Mary is the perfect example. God made Mary “full of grace” and gave her every gift necessary to be the Mother of God; then He asked her to be the Mother of God. She was asked to receive the Love of God by opening herself to the power of the Holy Spirit. We too are asked to let God into our lives and to allow Him to give us Everything! Like Mary, we are asked to receive without fear and trust in God’s particular love for each of us. At his inaugural Mass, Pope Benedict XVI said, “Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us?” “No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed.” “Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ- and you will find true life. Amen.”

Can we make a sincere gift of ourselves? We can only if we first give ourselves to God who delights in our gifts and always wants to receive us again and again. He dreams of our holiness and longs for our company in Heaven forever. He calls us all day long to receive His love and grace. He wants us to trust Him, and not in ourselves; for it is He who perfects our gifts and gives us the grace to be gifts to others.

“For in giving themselves to others each day women fulfill their deepest vocation. Perhaps more than men, women acknowledge the person, because they see persons with their hearts. They see them independently of various ideological or political systems. They see others in their greatness and limitations; they try to go out to them and help them. In this way the basic plan of the Creator takes flesh in the history of humanity and there is constantly revealed, in the variety of vocations, that beauty-not merely physical, but above all spiritual-which God bestowed from the very beginning on all, and in a particular way on women.” (John Paul II, Letter to Women, 12).

Let us pray today for the grace to receive with Mary, the Love of the Father that casts out all fear. (Reflection by Joan Patten)

Mother, who awakens profound trust in those who seek guidance along the difficult paths of life, pray for us!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women