A Woman of Virtues

INTRODUCTION

Mary is the one who followed Jesus first, loved Him most, and who served Him best. If we want to follow Jesus more closely, love Him more dearly, and serve Him more truly, we have to imitate Mama Mary by trying to live her virtues.

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On September 15, we mark the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. If there is one woman who has a “doctorate” in sorrows, it is Mama Mary! Our Blessed Mother went through much sorrow. We can never imagine how many swords of sorrow pierced her heart. What made her hold on? It was her deep love for her Son, and her obedience to the Father. She took the road of sacrifice and self-denial joyfully and humbly.

Mama Mary is the one who followed Jesus first, who loved Him most, and who served Him best. If we want to follow Jesus more closely, love Him more dearly, and serve Him more truly, let us try to live the virtues of Mama Mary:

OBEDIENCE. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). There are many things that we don’t understand, but Mama Mary teaches us to obey God’s will. Her “yes” to God was simple and true.

HUMILITY. “For he has looked with favor in the lowliness of his servant” (Luke 1:48). Like Mary, may we never forget that we are servants. We are not masters.

PURITY. “Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). It is the presence of the Lord that makes us pure. May we be purified of ourselves, and our temporal desires.

JOY. “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior” (Luke 1:47). Like Mary, may we find true joy in the Lord, not in material wealth and worldly pleasures.

PATIENCE. “She kept all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51). All throughout her life, Mary had a lot of trials, but she patiently endured all for the sake of her Son, Jesus.

TRUST. “Let His will be done in me” (Luke 1:38). Mary’s whole life was one big BTS: Believe, Trust, Surrender.

HIDDENNESS. “As for Mary, she treasured all these messages and continually pondered over them” (Luke 2:51). Mama Mary was a listener. She was not a talker. She was quiet and prayerful.

GENEROSITY. “Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home” (Luke 1:56). Like Mary, may we learn to go out of our way, go the extra mile to help others, and give the “extra smile” to give joy to others.

FAITHFULNESS. “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45). Mary was there at the foot of the cross where her Son died. She remained faithful to Him until the end. May we, too, remain faithful and true to Him.

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