by Mrs. Cecilia C. Bryant, OP, Lay Dominican, Memphis, TN
"Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who tell of the might of God." (Judith 13:19)
Our Lady continually offers us hope through her words and actions. Today we reflect on that original deed of hope when Mary said yes to God's plan for the salvation of the world as well as her deed of hope in her appearance to Juan Diego at Tepeyac.
The angel Gabriel's message to Mary is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah – God is always coming to dwell among us so that we may all be His people! But, to hear this message we must silence the noise within ourselves. Like Mary explained to Juan Diego we must silence our fears and worries and trust in God.
When we become God's holy dwelling, He will stir forth from us and we too will sing and rejoice and proclaim as Mary did, "behold I am the handmaid of the Lord!" and her deed of hope is perpetuated in each of us – never to be forgotten.