Episode Transcript  

One

Mary and the Spirit Share a Maternal Mission

In these nine days between the Ascension and Pentecost, we are learning how to be more docile to the Holy Spirit. Both St. Louis de Montfort and St. Maximilian Kolbe saw something astonishing: the Holy Spirit chooses to act in souls through Mary. According to Kolbe, the Spirit is the Uncreated Immaculate Conception, and Mary is the created Immaculate Conception. She is the perfect human expression of the Spirit’s mission to form Christ in us.

So, the first step in following the Spirit is to belong entirely to Mary. When we consecrate ourselves to her, we place ourselves directly under the inspiration and direction of the Holy Spirit. Mary’s presence is the atmosphere of the Spirit. Her yes opens space in us for the Spirit to act. Each day, we renew our consecration to Mary in order to remain totally open to the Spirit’s action.

Two

Desire and Ask for Inspirations in Mary’s Way

Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Luke 11:9). He promised that the Father would give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. So why do we so often forget to ask? We move through our day making decisions without pausing, without turning to the Spirit who has been given to guide us.

If we want to be led, we must ask to be led. The habit of docility begins with a habit of asking, “Holy Spirit, inspire me. Help me see what You want in this moment.”

But how do you have a relationship with someone who is invisible? It’s hard to befriend a dove, or fire, or wind. That’s why, as Pope John Paul II said, Jesus wanted to give a face to the Spirit, His Mother’s face. Mary makes the Spirit accessible. She is the perfect human expression of His action. To grow in friendship with the Spirit, grow in friendship with Mary.

So, ask her, “Mama, what should I do?” In that simple question, the Spirit begins to guide.

Three

Refuse God Nothing: The Pattern of Mary’s Life

If we want to be docile to the Spirit, we must develop a strong and constant resolve to obey God in everything, big or small, without exception. The more God sees us in this state of readiness, the more He entrusts us with His inspirations.

This doesn’t mean we must obey perfectly. That’s impossible on our own. But it does mean we are determined never to neglect a single desire God may express to us, no matter how small. Our weakness is not an obstacle if our will is surrendered.

Mary shows us how to live this way. At the Annunciation, she said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” That yes was not a one-time event, it was the shape of her whole life.

We echo her resolve every time we pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” But we are weak. That’s why the Father and the Son give us the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit works through Mary. So don’t try to say yes alone. Ask Mary to say it in you and for you. Pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, come through Mary, and renew your yes in me.”

Four

Obey the Light You Already Have: Mary’s Way of Faithfulness

Imagine a child who asks their mother, “What should I do today?” And she gently replies, “Have you done what I asked yesterday? Have you cleaned your room, fed the dog, finished your schoolwork?” Before she gives new instructions, she invites the child to finish what has already been given.

God is the same with us. We often long for fresh inspirations, something dramatic or extraordinary, yet we ignore the boring or difficult duties already entrusted to us. Are we praying daily? Are we procrastinating some difficult task? Are we loving the people around us? Are we carrying our crosses with trust?

Mary shows us how to be faithful. Before the angel ever appeared to her, she was already living a hidden life of prayer and faithfulness to duties. After the angel departed, she didn’t chase after new revelations. She simply did what she already knew God wanted, she went to help Elizabeth, loved Joseph, and took care of Jesus.

To receive more light, we must walk in the light we already have. Jesus said, “To everyone who has, more will be given” (Luke 19:26). Maybe the Lord is not asking more from us, only what He already asked. We don’t need to take on more when we already have much. Ask Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, to discern well what God wants. 

Five

Let Mary do it

It is natural for our first instinct to be to ask, “Lord, what should I do?” But maybe there is another way. Maybe God is not asking us to solve everything. What if God wants us to experience our powerlessness so that He can save us from the worst evil, the pride that makes us think we don’t need God? Facing our powerlessness, facing things we cannot change or fix or solve or people we can’t convert, reminds us we are not God. Facing these things is the opportunity for humility and trust. “Lord, I can’t fix this. So I give it to you. You do it for me.”

Then God inspires us to do what He did. When he was about the do the hardest and biggest thing ever, save the world and recreate it after we had broken it, what did God do? He entrusted the whole thing to Mary by placing His Son, the Redeemer, in her womb and in her care.

We are invited to follow the Father in this. Learn the way of humility and trust, consecrate, give entirely to Mary anything you can’t solve. Then don’t take it out of her hands and back into yours by worrying. Consecrate it to her and watch what she does. 

Suggested Resolutions:

Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you. 

• Every day, start by asking Mary what you should do with your time. If you’ve already been given responsibilities you’re avoiding, start there. Be patient, but don’t forget to do the tasks you’ve already been given.

• Consecrate yourself to Mary. Consider picking up a book like 22 Days to Morning Glory that walks you through consecration to Mary.

If you enjoyed this meditation, subscribe below.