12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
The final mention of Mary in the Acts of the Apostles finds her in the Cenacle, the upper room where Jesus had celebrated the Last Supper with his Apostles. She returns to the place of the institution of the Eucharist, where Christ gave himself completely in the form of bread and wine. When Jesus was growing up, he saw in Mary his mother, a example of complete self-giving. She was completely and totally given to following the will of the Father. Mary gave herself in humility and in love. Christ too gave himself completely, especially in the Eucharist.
Her example is a model for us. We can continue to grow in holiness by following her way of self-giving, giving ourselves in humility and love. By our nearness to the Eucharist, we grow in holiness and in self-sacrifice.
How have you experienced this growth in holiness through the Eucharist?
(Msgr. Andre Vaccari, Pro Sanctity Priest friend, NY)
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