Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Day Four:

"It is thus my hope, dear sisters, that you will reflect carefully on what it means to speak of the 'genius of wmen,' not only in order to be able to see in this phrase a specific part of God's plan which needs to be accepted and appreciated, but also in order to let this genius be more fully expressed in the life of society as a whole, as well as in the life of the Church" (Letter to Women 10).

For women especially, being "in control," can be a great struggle. Many of us make lists for groceries, activities of the day, class schedules, plans for the future, etc. Some of us even have lists of our lists. We plan, plan, plan and have these ideas of how we want things, which can often leave us dissapointed and maybe even bitter or resentful when things happen differently than we planned. We must learn to "let go and let God"as the phrase goes. Seeing Mary as our model at the Annunciation, she was not anxious and did not fervently relay her plans pleading with God for something else to be her vocation. Instead, she said "Let it be done." Simple, receptive, trusting. She "accepted and appreciated" God's plan for her. She was herself perfectly and gave herself to God perfectly. She did not have the whole story, she didn't know how everything in her life would turn out. She knew one part of God's plan and chose to say yes!

We are not called to fit into some mold outside of ourselves where there is no freedom for personality, but to be purified and become who we truly are. "It is in becoming who we are that we will set the world ablaze" -St.Catherine of Siena. There is a freedom in being yourself no matter who is looking. Let us not be afraid or try to hide or distort our feminity as often is the case in our world today. We can't control how others will receive us, what others think or do. And when we try to do just that, we are not following Mary as our model but Eve. All we can control is what we think, what we say, how we act, how we respond to others and to God.

My challenge is that we work on being the best version of ourselves.
Lord Jesus, we thank you and praise you for what you have given us and how you show us your love for us each day. Please bless us during this novena and especially today as we ask for your Mother's help in becoming who we are meant to be. Lord, how can I live this day live for you? What do you have planned for me? Help me say yes.

"The nation . . . doesn't simply need what we have. It needs who we are." - Edith Stein
(Reflection by Jenna Wilson)

Mary, highest expression of the "feminine genius", Pray for us!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women