Session 6: A New Way of Being

 

Studies show that having a sense of gratitude is good for one's health. For examples of how to be 

grateful, we can look to the Saints. Let's look at the Queen of all the Saints, Mary, the Mother of God.  

 

Look closely at how Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus, listened and responded to 

God. 

 

Read Luke 1:26-38

 

Think about it:  

When Mary said “yes,” she welcomed God into the content of her already given life. When we say 

“yes,” God is most often inviting us to what is already within our capacity—inviting us to see our ordinary 

roles as sacred. 

Discuss with a parent: Like Mary, can we accept the deepening of the lives that we have already been 

given? Can we say “yes” and let life be sacred?

Reflection

Imagine the scene of Mary’s “yes.” What details do you see and how do these affect

 your understanding of her response? We know her answer was “yes,” but what was beneath it? What 

thoughts do you think she had? What knee-jerk feelings were formed and how did they become part of

her response? What do you imagine the conversation in her mind was as she formed her response?

 

When Our Lady gave her consent to God through the Archangel Gabriel with the words of her 

Fiat/Yes: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word”, then, 

“The word became flesh and dwelt among us.” ( Jn 1:14) 

 *Pope Saint John Paul II makes a parallel between Mary’s YES to God and our AMEN when we 

receive Jesus in Holy Communion. In this sense, Mary’s YES resulted in receiving Jesus into 

her heart, mind, body, and soul; so also our AMEN when we receive Jesus in Mass results in 

Jesus entering into the very center of our being. For that reason, it is important to beg Mary 

for the grace to receive Jesus with faith, devotion, and love in Holy Communion. (from Loyola 

Press reflection on Mary’s “Yes”)

Do you know that you can actually visit the site of the Annunciation, Mary's home in Nazareth, today? In 

Take a look in this video reflection-  

 

Mary was in the presence of God, because Jesus, the Son of God was with her.. Is it possible for us to 

be in the presence of God today?

Eucharistic Adoration is one opportunity to sit quietly in the presence of God. You don’t have to “do” 

anything, you just have to “be.” 

During Adoration, the priest or deacon puts the Eucharist on the altar in an object called a Monstrance. 

People sit quietly in the presence of Jesus (in the Eucharist).

Activity: Mary was very grateful to God and she shows her gratitude in her Magnificat prayer. 

The prayer is her response to her cousin Elizabeth, found in the Bible here: Luke 1: 46-55. 

Today there is an altar inside the rooms of Mary's home. People come from all over the world to visit this

holy place.  It would be great for you to make a prayer space in your rooms at home, where you can pray. 

The space can include a plant or flowers, an image of God or a Cross, a Saint prayer card and a

 box for prayer petitions. Make a gratitude box or jar for that space.  Share an image of your prayer 

holder by uploading it to this lesson in your Level 6 Google Classroom.  

Here is an example of how to make a Gratitude Box:

Supplies:

Recycled Tissue Box

Markers and glue 

Decorate the box to make it special. You can even use the words from Mary's Magnificat prayer. Cut 

out strips of paper and write one thing you are grateful for on a slip of paper and put it in your container 

each day. At the end of the month the box will be filled.