Day of Reflection focuses on Mary

Participants from Altus to Shawnee attended the Day of Reflection on Jan. 23 at Saint Gregory’s Abbey. Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B, led the 25 attendees, “Through the Year with Mary.”
 
Abbot Lawrence discussed the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of Christian discipleship.
 
“We can follow the life of Mary herself as it comes down to us through the record of scripture and tradition of the Church and that is the approach I will take today,” he said. “It can provide us with a deeper understanding, insight and context for the various celebrations, feasts and devotions that honor Mary of Nazareth.”
 
Two of the longer topics centered around the Nativity of the Lord and Solemnity of Mary.
 
“Christmas has all but lost its religious meaning. So, let us remind ourselves of the true meaning of Christmas with one of the prayers offered at Christmas day. ‘We pray, that we may share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humility.’ It’s the prayer the priest says when he adds water to the wine in preparation of the gifts. He humbled himself to share in our humanity, so we might have a share in his divinity,” Abbot Lawrence said.
 
“Indeed, she was the vessel for Jesus, the handmaid of the Lord. We should reflect on the quiet faith and patience of Mary, who experienced in real time the unfolding of God’s salvation. We should ask her to intercede for us as we try to do the same, as we try to discern with quiet faith and patience the will of God in our own chaotic circumstances.”
 
During reflection and sharing time, Reina Maria, who participated in the event, said, “I’m not a cradle Catholic, but 12 years ago a friend invited me to Mass and when I got to Saint Mark in Norman I couldn’t stop crying. I smelt roses and the tears would not stop. This is where I’m supposed to be. So, I converted and I’m now at Saint Thomas More.”
 
New Year’s Day is the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, which coincides with the beginning of a new calendar year in the secular world.
 
“Let’s focus on an indispensable part of the story we all can relate to directly, Jesus was born of and loved by a human mother. By recognizing and celebrating the motherhood of Mary we contemplate how God enters our human life in a real and tangible way. In Jesus, the son of Mary, God truly is Emmanuel – God with us,” Abbot Lawrence said.
 
“It would be a mistake to think Mary fully understood what was happening in her life, in the life of her son, but through all the events she remained faithful. In doing so, she found the grounding of her identity, to discern the full meaning of the events of her life and the life of her son. … As follower of son of God and son of Mary we are called to imitate Mary in her trusting faith and with her reflect on all things in our hearts and coming to know who we are in the eyes of God.”
 
Judy Hilovsky is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

Photo: Reina Maria prays the Rosary during the reflection/meditation time at the conference. Photo Judy Hilovsky/Sooner Catholic.