mary's life in the spirit
"He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places." —Luke 1:52
In this year of the Great Jubilee, we celebrate the two-thousandth anniversary of Jesus' Incarnation. The Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she conceived the God-Man, Jesus (Lk 1:35). After the Incarnation, Mary continued in the Holy Spirit and was instrumental in Elizabeth and her baby (later to be called "John") being filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:41). Then Mary prophesied in the Holy Spirit: "My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Savior" (Lk 1:46-47). Mary received the Holy Spirit again at the foot of the cross on Calvary when Jesus died and "delivered over His Spirit" (Jn 19:30). Then Mary again was instrumental, through her prayers, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the first Christian Pentecost (Acts 1:14). Mary had an unparalleled life in the Spirit. Finally, Mary's Magnificat-prophecy was fulfilled. The Holy Spirit raised the lowly Mary to high places (Lk 1:52). By the power of the Spirit, she was taken to heaven to live in the Spirit forever.
Like Mary, live in the Spirit. "If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then He Who raised Christ from the dead will bring your mortal bodies to life also, through His Spirit dwelling in you" (Rm 8:11).
Prayer: Father, in the Holy Spirit may I be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thes 4:17).
Promise: "Christ must reign until God has put all enemies under His feet." —1 Cor 15:25
Praise: "Now have salvation and power come, the reign of our God and the authority of His Anointed One...so rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell therein!" (Rv 12:10, 12)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, March 8, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 9, 2000