The Marian Life

 

Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Diocese of Steubenville Chancery. Faithful, Peaceful, Simple... Marian!

    "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7

    It is by faith that we come to peace in God. Faith is not simply total knowledge about something that can be mysterious. Faith is lived-out believing, trusting in something that can be mysterious with one's whole life. Our faith is only made active by the "prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" that connects us in relationship to the one who has given us everything. These actions are done with the continued faith that God will supply in the future, that God will lead us in peace that surpasses our understanding now and then.

    True faith is a daily living for God, with God. It is living a life transformed and shaped by the truth of Jesus' incarnation, His passion and death, and His resurrection. This life is focused on God in prayer, in normal works, in a mind and heart totally focused on God-- on God, who is totally focused on you.

    "...Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you." -Philippians 4:8-9"

    With a complete orientation on God, on His perfection, we begin to live a life of virtue, a life of faith, formed by God's grace into His own life of perfection. Beginning with faith, and living in faith, we become sharers in the life of the one whom we have placed our faith in. Being one with the God of peace, that God of peace is faithfully with us. He is working with us, speaking with us, near to us, one with us. 

    With such peace that is only found in God, we are strengthened to live life in Him in every moment, through every difficulty.

    "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned to secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:12-13

    We live in faith, and we are made one with the God of peace. In Him, we are joined with Him in all things. In our difficulties, we are made strong. In our easy times, we rejoice in His joy. In union with the very heart of Christ, we love and see and move and feel and pray to the Father, through the Holy Spirit.

    Who could know the heart of Christ more than the heart of His mother? Who lived in faith, in peace, in union with the very life of Jesus, more than Mary? In Her Immaculate Heart, we faithfully follow Christ, we are made one with Him, and so the Queen of Peace becomes our mother also. This is the beauty of life in God, with God, for God. 

    In consecration to Jesus through Mary, we simply follow Our Lady's guidance to be conformed in faith and in peace, completely and totally to God. It is a beautiful and simple path, yet it is one in which we so often fail. In Our Lady's Immaculate Hands can we be made into the pure and holy sacrifice for God that reconciles our own souls-- and the souls of others-- to God.

    Live this faithful life, live this peaceful life, live this simple life: live this Marian life!