10 Minute Daily Retreat: Ponder with Mother Mary
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:26-29 Surely Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds the greatest honour amongst mothers? Mary responded to the invitation to bear Jesus by 'pondering.' This is a wonderful example for us. Pondering implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter – reflection, meditation. Don’t be fooled into thinking that little decisions don’t need our pondering. Whatever we choose brings us closer to God or further away, and either brings others closer to God or further away. Regular ‘pondering’ facilitates ...