Since tomorrow, October 18, is the feast for Saint Luke the Evangelist, I figured that I would draw from his own Infancy Narrative. The entire Infancy Narrative in St. Luke’s Gospel is beautiful, since it’s the Word of God and it’s the story and aftermath of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but ever since I studied Mariology at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, there are certain passages that move my heart either in prayer or during the Marian Solemnities in the liturgical cycle.

I can remember a time in graduate school sitting next to one of my fellow students in the Christ the King Chapel during Mass on the Immaculate Conception. When Mary’s Fiat was read during the Gospel Reading, we looked at each other and were brought to tears since our understanding of that scripture passage had drastically changed and we understood it differently than before. I remember thinking to myself that my relationship with Christ was strengthened because I now knew his Mother in a way I didn’t previously.

So for today’s “Mondays with Mary”, which happens to also be my 700^th blog post, I give you 10 scripture passages from Saint Luke’s Infancy Narrative that have and continue to touch my heart. It’s fitting that the 700^th post is a “Mondays with Mary”, since I have written for nearly 4 ½ years on the Blessed Virgin Mary. The translation of the scripture passages come the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition.

1. “And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Lk 1:28-31)

2. “And Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have no husband?’” (Lk 1: 34)

3. “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word’” (Lk 1:38). [This was the aforementioned passage that brought me to tears when in graduate school]

4. “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (Lk 1:39-40).

5. “’Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:42-43) [Even as I write this to you today, my heart is penetrated with the words of St. Elizabeth, and think that these words could come from my lips.]

The Magnificat, which I have written about here –

6. “’My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever’” (Lk 1:46-56).

7. “And Joseph also went from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, who was with child” (Lk 2:4-5).

8. “And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manager, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Lk 2:7).

9. “But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk 2:19).

10. “…And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed’” (Lk 2:34-35).

I would encourage you to read or reread the Infancy Narrative in the Gospel of Saint Luke. I would also encourage you to include meditating on these passages this week during your daily prayer time.

For more information pertaining to the Infancy Narratives, I would suggest reading Pope Benedict XVI’s book, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives.

Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God and Ever-Virgin…Pray for Us.

700th Blog Post