The Mother of God Outshines all the Martyrs

From a homily by Basil of Seleucia, bishop:

Born of the Virgin Mother of God, the Creator and Lord of all shared our human nature, for He had a real body and soul even though He had no part in our misdeeds. He committed no sin, says Scripture, and no falsehood ever came from His mouth. O holy womb in which God was received, in which the record of our sins was effaced, in which God became man while remaining God! He was carried in the womb, condescending to be born in the same way as we are. Yet when He was received into the arms of His mother He did not leave the bosom of His Father. God is not divided as He carries out His will, but saves the world without suffering any division in Himself. When Gabriel came into the presence of the Virgin Mother of God he left heaven behind, but when the Word of God who fills all creation took flesh within her, He was not separated from the adoring hosts of heaven.

Is there any need to enumerate all the prophecies foretelling Christ's birth of the Mother of God? What tongue could worthily hymn her through whom we have received such magnificent blessings? With what flower of praise could we weave a fitting crown for her from whom sprang the flower of Jesse, who has crowned our race with glory and honor. What gifts could we bring that would be worthy of her of whom the whole world is unworthy? If Paul could say of the other saints that the world was not worthy of them, what can we say of the Mother of God, who outshines all the martyrs even as the sun outshines the stars?

O Virgin, well may the angels rejoice in you! Because of you they who long ages ago had banished our race are now sent to our service, and to his joy Gabriel is entrusted with the news of a divine child's conception. Rejoice, most favored one, let your face glow with gladness. You are to give birth to the joy of all the world, who will put an end to the age-old curse, destroying the power of death and giving to all the hope of resurrection.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Our Lady of the Rosary

The Prophets spoke of the Blessed Virgin Mary before her birth. They compared her to the sun. When the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on the earth, God's anger towards man's sinfulness was immediately appeased. The Blessed Virgin is much better than the best of all mothers because she always treats her servants with love, and never punishes us.

Mary's heart is full of love and mercy. Her only desire is that we simply turn to her and pray. She places herself between the justice of her Son and us. The greater sinners we are, the more compassion she feels for us. It is the child that has cost its mother the most tears that is the dearest to her heart.

The Ave Maria is a prayer that is invaluable. All the saints have a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. No graces flow from heaven to us without first going through the Blessed Virgin. Since Mary is the only creature who has never offended God, our prayers have a special merit when they are presented to God from her.

We should always pray for a true and genuine devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Prophecy of Simeon

"And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35

The Flight into Egypt

"And after they (the wise men) were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise and take the child and His mother and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy Him. Who arose and took the child and His mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and He was there until the death of Herod." Matt: 2:13-14.

The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple

"And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him." Luke 2:43-45.

The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross

"And there followed Him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him." Luke 23: 27.

The Crucifixion

"They crucified Him. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His Mother. When Jesus therefore had seen His Mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, He said to His Mother: Woman: behold thy son. After that he said to the disciple: Behold thy Mother." John 19: 25-27

The Taking Down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross

"Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counselor, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And Joseph buying fine linen, and taking Him down, wrapped Him up in the fine linen." Mark 15: 43-46

The Burial of Jesus

"Now there was in the place where He was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein no man yet had been laid. There, therefore, because of the Pasch eve of the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepulcher was nigh at hand."
John 19: 4l-42