HANDS OF MARY REFLECTION

Reflection on the hands of Mary - 

Introduction: dear sisters before we start our rosary, let us look at our hands for a while and thank God for the gift of these hands that can pray, work, play, write, paint, stitch, cook, serve, touch and feel. As we sing praise the Lord No 42 let us offer these hands to the Lord.

          Today let us reflect on the hands of a woman- a woman who was at the service of others whose daily life was Jesus. Woman full of grace, on fire with love, gentle, compassionate.

          Mary is the mother of the church, guiding us to her son Jesus. She is the model to follow Christ in all the aspects of our life. She was the only one who

Stood with him in all the mysteries. Her heart never ceases to praise the father. Let us join in telling the father how great he is by singing P.L. No. 220

1^st mystery: The open hands of Mary:

The open hands of Mary helped her to say yes to the father at the time of the annunciation. She had unique place in the history of salvation. Her openness made it possible for the savior to come into the world. She obediently responses to that annunciation reflects not only her sanctity but also the anticipated characteristics of a disciple of Jesus. This openness led her to share this good news to her cousin Elizabeth LK 1: 28-35 Let us offer ourselves to the father through Mary’s hands.

2^nd mystery: Visitation…the loving hands of Mary.

The loving hands of Mary carried her loving son. The word made flesh and offered to the world lovingly. Mary played a role in God’s plan of saving his people and indeed she was for seen from the time of Isaiah as the virgin who would give birth to “Emmanuel” God with us. A light has shown up on this day, for the Lord our savior is born.

3^rd mystery: Birth of Jesus… The pleading hands of Mary:

Mary pleaded for the needs of others to her beloved son. We see this at the wedding at Cana. She was aware of the situation she asked the servants to listen to Jesus and to do what he said. She was the mediator between Jesus and humankind. She made Jesus work the miracle even though his time had not yet come. She had great faith in him that he would meet the need. She followed Him as a loving mother as a close disciple throughout his public ministry. [Jn 2:1-11]

4^th mystery: Presentation…the surrendering hands of Mary.

Mary stood at the foot of the cross, surrendering her whole self along with Jesus to the father. She was helpless to see her son dying as a criminal. Her whole attitude was nothing else but of total surrender to the father. Their Jesus gives the physical mother a spiritual role as a mother of her son Jesus who formed a small community of believers at the foot of the cross. [Jn 19: 25-27]

5^th mystery: Finding of child Jesus in the temple…The praising hands of Mary.

Mary was there when the disciples prepared themselves into the upper room to receive the spirit. She was present when the first Christian community started and she was the inspiration for all the disciples. Her response was behold the handmaid of the Lord… let it be done unto me according to thy will. She had not changed her mind till the end. [Acts 1: 12-14]