Got stress? Or need emergency help that only heaven can offer? That’s our Blessed Mother’s specialty. Recall that the wedding at Cana was all about stress and it was our Blessed Mother’s intercession that led Jesus to change water into wine lest the host be embarrassed.
Jesus performed his first public miracle then and it was not life or death or a physical healing. He did it only because his mother asked him to help. How could he be any clearer: go to my mother and ask for help. Pay no mind to detractors who break with early Christians by pointing to 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Silly. No one thinks Mary turned the water into wine. She was the friend in need, one with great influence over her Son Jesus Christ—our one mediator between God and mankind.
Just like the queens of Old Testament times who were the mother of the kings, and the one who interceded, taking requests to the king, we continue that biblical tradition. The woman God chose as the mother of Jesus, loves him like no other as he does her. No way should we leave her out. God didn’t. He went through Mary to get closer to us.
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who needed miracles daily made no secret of her reliance on Mary. She was never without a rosary and gave out thousands of Miraculous Medals—the devotion revealed to St. Catherine Laboure of the Blessed Mother’s hands extended, pouring graces down upon us when we pray, “Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” She had also shared that she would recite over and over, “Oh Mary, Mother of God, please be a mother to me now,” especially during stressful moments.
Another powerful prayer that Mother Teresa credited with countless miracles was her “Speedy Novena.”
A novena is 9 days of prayer with our model being the first novena when the Apostles and Blessed Mother prayed for 9 days after the Ascension of Jesus and on the 9th day, Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. Although her life was filled with prayer and adoration, when she was in need of a quick response, Mother Teresa prayed 9 Memorares in petition and 1 in thanksgiving.
Here are the words: “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.”
Stress is around every corner. And so is our Blessed Mother. She gives us perfect advice—“Do whatever he tells you,” (John 2:5)—and then makes our case to her son. Thank you, Blessed Mother, for giving us Jesus and taking us to him.
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