Mary, Queen of All Hearts

Your heart...how is your heart doing? It is full of hope, I see. You're starting to believe again because you are now more aware of the presence of Jesus and Mary in your life and in the lives of others as well. There is much - so much - to be thankful for. More and more gratitude will lead you to a deeper state of humility. This is actually a "little path" towards developing this virtue that many forget is available to them. It is more pleasant, though not necessarily easier, than asking for humilitations. More pleasant because you taste the Lord's goodness. Not easier because it is most easy to forget what you normally take for granted. But when you are grateful, those "fallen", pride-shattering moments do not hurt as badly because even those you will be thankful for.

The Blessed Mother gave a beautiful example of this in her Magnificat and it would serve you well to go back to praying it every day as you used to. Thank God for everything...for every cross...for every blessing...for every person and every circumstance. In doing so, you will acknowledge your nothingness and your total dependence on Him. And Mary, as your Queen, will meanwhile do all she can to share with you her gratitude to the God who gave her such an honored place in Heaven.

"And Mary said: 'My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my savior! He has looked upon His servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is His Name! From age to age His mercy extends to those who live in His presence. He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up those who are downtrodden. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He held out His hand to Israel, His servant, for He remembered His mercy, even as He promised our fathers, Abraham and his descendants forever.' " (Luke 1:46-55)