Lately I’ve been meditating on our Blessed Mother, and especially on the Incarnation and her Fiat.
Mary was living the divine life, the life of love. When the Angel said to her “Hail, full of grace” it’s a comment on her holy life, which can be measured by the proportion of grace that is given.
Her response to the Angel, who announced that she would give birth to a child who is God, indicates complete humility: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord.”
And then she says, “may it be done to me according to your word.” These are words of a willingness to receive, a willingness to be submissive to the love of God.
When we are at Mass, after the priest consecrates the Precious Body and Blood of our Savior, we also say words of submission and a willingness to receive His love. We say “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” After this we participate in the Divine Sacrament and eat Christ’s Precious Flesh and Blood.I wonder whether Mary, our Blessed Mother, was the very first “receiver” of the Eucharist. In her Fiat she submits and then receives Christ: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. And not only that, but his Humanity as well.
Mary lived with Christ inside of her for nine months. Every heartbeat of hers, every breath, every morsel of food she ate, nourished the Divine Child within her.
When we partake of the Eucharist, the consecrated species (body/blood) lasts about an hour or two, until it is dissimilated by our body’s natural functions. The Sacrament that we receive through Communion abides with us until we commit a mortal sin.
I think about what it would be like to be Mary, to have the real Presence inside of me for nine months. Then I realize that every time I go to Mass, I have the incredible privilege to be like Mary, to have Christ inside of me.
For a little while.
Stephen Miller
-Member of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, Long Prairie.
-Not a native Minnesotan.
-Not a cradle Catholic.
-Former Librarian.
-Likes kids, somewhat baffled by adults.
-Married to the smartest and most beautiful woman in the world with whom we have six astonishing children.