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Mary at the foot of the Cross

Words of St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross

“Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, there is your son, In turn he said to his disciple, “There is your mother.” From that hour onward, the disciple took her into his care. John 19: 25-27

Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, not a special gift given to a select few;  it is simply a by-product of living in God. Nehemiah 8:10   Do not be grieved (sad, sorrowful), for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

The early Church summed up Mary’s maternity in a single Greek word… Theotokos. St. Cyril and a great number of bishops believed that Mary should be called  Theotokos, “Birth-giver to God” (also translated as “God-bearer” or “Mother of God”). This terminology affirmed that Jesus is “one person in two natures which are united.” It was determined by an overwhelming majority that  Theotokos was the correct title for Mary, and Nestorius was subsequently removed from his position as bishop of Constantinople.

Stay With Me, Lord Prayer: Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.