Hajja Salesjana April-June 2022

at times act like prima donnas – distant and insensitive to the needs of other people? Have we taken the trouble to visit those in prison, the sick, and our old folks, and listen to their oft-repeated stories? Or do we care only about our bosses and clients? Are shopping, dining in fancy places, and checking the “likes” in our Facebook posts our main pursuits? 4. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior….” This first line of Mary’s hymn of praise (Luke 1:46-56) known as the Magnificat was said at the temple of Jerusalem, when Mary presented to the Lord the Child Jesus in accordance with the Mosaic Law. In her Magnificat, Mary realized how her divine gifts reflected God’s mercy, fidelity and generosity. What does her Magnificat mean to us Christians? Do we praise and thank God even if we don’t get what we pray for? This writer thinks every petition should sound something like this: “Lord, if these projects and plans of mine are in accordance with Your will, let them succeed. If not, let me fall on my face.” 5. “Son, why have you done this to us? Behold your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow” (Luke 2: 48). Mary uttered these words when she and Joseph, after searching for the boy Jesus for three days, found Him in the temple where the elders were awed with His wisdom! But there was a mystery to Jesus’ reply: “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Mary said “yes” at the Annunciation and therefore she must have thought that she had to let go of the Son she gave birth to so that He could fulfill His mission. This biblical passage is applicable to parents, especially mothers: Do we guide our children in the ways of the Lord – persevering, prayerful, gentle, slow to anger, charitable, compassionate, caring, faithful? Or do we point the way to sloth, vanity and self-centeredness? 6. “They have no wine!” (John 2:3). Mary said these words at the marriage feast at Cana in Galilee, the start of Jesus’ public ministry. She called His attention to a human need, and thereafter He performed His first miracle – turning water into the best wine there was. Mary noticed other people’s needs before anyone did, and so it’s natural to believe that she senses our needs before we do. This also shows Mary continues to bring our needs to her Son through her intercession. But do we cling and pray to her out of love or only to ask for personal favours? 7. “Do whatever He tells you!” (John 2:5). Mary again spoke, on the same occasion, to those in charge of the wedding feast. She sensed the will of her Son – that He would accede to her request. Jesus’ action indicates that He looks favorably on Mary’s petition. Our Holy Week reflection regarding this passage should prompt us to ask ourselves: do we really do what Jesus tells us? Love one another, He admonishes us, but people over the centuries have founded countless religious sects and they all hate each other! Mary’s siete palabras as explicitly recorded in the Bible, should impress upon the Catholic faithful, especially Marian devotees, that although we have a special sense of Divine Providence in our lives, we are called to live everything her Son has taught us. Her spoken words tell us that our devotion to her should show itself in our good works. 31 April - Ġunju 2022 hajja