When I ponder the reading for today for the Feast of the Annunciation, I cannot help but reflect on what I as a therapist call the biggest “Reframe” of the entire world.
The angel said to Mary, “Hail full of Grace.”
I see Mary full of Grace, full of God. That defines what being pregnant is, being full of the gift of life. The word goes on, “and Mary was troubled at the angel’s greeting as he says to her, “do not be afraid Mary.”
I remember being pregnant when I was sixteen and being afraid. Mary was given the grace to be able to participate in the act of God coming into the world through her yes and became the new Eve- her yes is what reframed Eve’s no. She had been prepared for this, but still afraid. I re call how I was prepared to be vulnerable to abortion through sexual abuse and being raised in an alcoholic family system. Yes, I was afraid. My yes to abortion changed me and I decided I no longer deserved love, which led down a spiral of self-hatred, shame, and loneliness.
The fear continued to the point of resisting and fearing God could ever forgive me. I was unable to reach to Him. Jesus knew, and He sought me out, He was always there, I just needed a reframe!
Today the Feast of the Annunciation, I am renewing my consecration to Jesus through Mary, the biggest reframe of my life! Living the consecration means letting go of the shame of my abortions. Sure, I repented a long time ago. But the consecration restored me to the truth of who I am and was meant to be from all eternity.
Essentially it is living with Mary in Her Yes to bringing Jesus into the world. This privilege affords a life of holiness in the truth that I am forgiven, and God is not finished re-writing my story, reframing my mind in truth, restoring me to wholeness. Abortion fragments the mind, steals the truth from a person’s soul, extinguishes dignity, value and the beloved ness we were all created for. Saying yes to Jesus day by day as Mary did, reframes my mind to the truth with the idea that I am God’s beloved daughter. Through the consecration I have all the support I need to bring forth Jesus into the world just like Mary did. “Hail full of Grace, the Lord is with You.” By giving myself to Mary as a slave of God’s love, I hide myself in Her. There is no greater abode than the arms of Our mother. Totus Tuus!
Jesus living in Mary prayer comes to mind.
O Jesus, living in Mary, come and live in your servants, in the spirit of holiness, in the fullness of your power, in the perfection of your ways, in the truth of your virtues, in the communion of your mysteries. Rule over every adverse power, in your Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.
Eileen
