We are given sufficient grace--we only have to accept it

The memorial feast of the Presentation of Mary gives us an opportunity to recall how carefully God prepared Mary to be the Mother of His Only Begotten Son.  Not only was she conceived without the stain of original sin, she was preserved in grace by God's continuous favor. Unlike Mary, we suffer the devastating effects of original sin and do not have the fullness of grace she enjoyed, but instead, inclinations toward both holiness and sinfulness.

It wouldn't be hard to despair over the many times we have failed, tending more toward sinfulness if we weren't reminded that as carefully as God prepared Mary, He also prepares us and gives us sufficient grace through the sacraments to accomplish His loving plan.  And what is that plan, but that we be preserved in grace, know Him, even in this life and enjoy Him forever in heaven.

Like Mary we have the opportunity and sufficient grace to give our fiat, our consent that, like Mary, the will of God may be done in us.

O Lord, may we be found pleasing in Your sight.   May our willingness to help others be a mirror of Your own love for us.  O, Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Pray for us now and at the hour of our death

As we start Thanksgiving week, remember the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned in your prayers.  Don’t forget about the unemployed and the homeless!   Also pray for those who have been extraordinarily blessed by God but forget to thank Him every day for those blessings. (Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa)