The first and second readings from the Divine Office today are strongly linked together. The first reading from Isaiah 11 is the famous scripture foretelling the birth of Jesus. I can remember pretty vividly when as a young man first studying theology how excited I became when I realized how tightly Old Testament prophecy and the revelation of the New Testament are woven together. The second reading shone a whole new light on the prophecy of Isaiah. Typical of many converts to Catholicism, I was slow to come to a full appreciation of role of Mary in our faith. Even now I still don’t feel completely in step with the depth of most Catholic's devotion to Mary but I have developed enormous love for her and when I am really frazzled, saying a rosary is the quickest way back to some degree of calmness. Mary was flower from Jesse’s root that bore the fruit that became the Son of Man. She was the mother of God and her role was fortold in scripture. When we pray to Mary, it is to ask for her intercession for us with her Son. She is not God or like God and we don't worship her but through her we workship the fruit ofher womb.
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