Friday, March 25 : Saint Catherine of Siena

O Mary, it is today that the strength and liberty of God is appearing within you. For behold, after the deliberation of the divine council, so serious and great, it is to you that the angel was sent to make known that council’s mystery and ask for your consent;; and the Word does not descent into your womb unless you have freely given your consent; he waits at the door of your will which he is pleased to open to the one who desires to enter you. And he could not ever entered if you had not opened to him with your answer: “I am the handmaid of the Lord: let it be done according to your word.” Stunning proof of the strength and liberty of our will ! Without it, neither good nor evil could come about, neither demon nor creature could constrain her to sin if she did not wish it. Yes, it is truly free that human will that nothing can reduce, whether for good or for evil, without her consent. The eternal God is knocking at your door, O Mary, and if you had not wanted to open it, God could not have been incarnated within you. Blush, then, O my soul, as you see God himself ally himself to you in Mary today; today you can see that, although created without your having wished it, you will not be saved unless you consent to it since God is knocking at the door. He waits for Mary to consent to open.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team