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er things, poor, a woman, single, and disadvantaged in just about every way.
And yet her response to Elizabeth was “My soul proclaims the greatness of
the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
The heart of Mary, the strength of Mary, the goodness of Mary and her
clear eyed vision of what was to be; those traits are what I hope to gain when
I invoke her name in her prayer. My mother told me during one period in
my life of great despair and fear, to “offer it up”. And I did. And I have.
To the Virgin Mary. And usually, in return, I get some small return of one
of those traits. And my burden does lift. I have offered up many things to
the Blessed Mother, not the least of which has been my thanks, since my
mother gave me those brief, but powerful, words of advice. (And yes, I
have thanked my mother, too.)
So today, I say to you reading, whatever it may be, large or small, to offer it
up. Her shoulders hold the universe. She can hold your burden.
Prayer
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women, and
Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of
God, pray for us, sin-
ners.
Now, and at the hour
of our death.
_______
Erin Keating
Parishioner