Praying like the Bride
An invitation to receive the love of the Divine Bridegroom
Mary’s ‘yes’ to God was a total and complete gift of self: the response of a Bride to her Bridegroom. God did not force her assent or steal her gift. He invited; He asked; He wooed her with His lovingkindness. Mary’s fiat was not a timid resignation or a fear motivated consent. Rather, she responded to the love of God with a bold display of trust and openness. Love, authentic love, must first and foremost be free, freely and willingly given, or it cannot be total, faithful, and fruitful.
Advent invites us to imitate Mary’s receptivity, responsiveness to God’s love, and fearless trust in His will. Mary models for us a bridal posture in prayer, the posture of openness and receptivity to Love. All souls, male and female, are invited to open and receive the love of the Divine Bridegroom. The Father desires to overshadow each of us with His Holy Spirit and for His Son, Christ, to find a dwelling place in our hearts.
“Even her maternal relationship would have done Mary no good unless she had borne Christ more happily in her heart than in her flesh.” - St. Augustine
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, Sweet Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Spouse of my soul. Purify and prepare my heart to be a virginal womb in which Divine Love may grow. May Jesus find His place of rest and delight here in the womb of my heart. Amen
The Womb of My Heart Rosary Devotional is available from En Route Books and Media.
https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/thewombofmyheart/