A mom sends her little child to bed for the night. The child asks that the door be kept open, as the child is scared of the dark. From the bed the child cries out “Mom can you bring me a glass of water”. “No, it is time to sleep”, says mom. Again, the child asks for water. Little agitated after repeated re- quests, mom says “one more complain, I am going to close the door”. Then the child says, “Mom before you close the door, can you bring me a glass of water?” Today we celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Church. She is the mother of us all. How blessed are we to have her as our mother, given to us his disciples by the Lord right before his death on the cross. Like our earthly mother, Mary is truly our advocate in times of our needs and our guide when we are confused with life’s direc- tion. Take time today to recall with heartfelt devotion the blessings received through her intercession and think of ways to follow her example in looking at all that each one goes through in the light of God’s greater plan.

Prayer: Abba Father, help me grow in my trust in your care no matter how and what may come to me in life’s journey. Amen.