Bookshelf

in Mary

Mary and Me

main image

In her book, "Mary and Me," Ginny Kubitz Moyer asks the question, “How does Mary, the Mother of God, speak to the modern woman?” The book offers a compelling look at the breadth of Mary’s influence on women today.

Here is an excerpt:

“Several women I talked to tried to imagine what Mary must have felt at the Annunciation both during and after this surprise encounter.

Donna, a fifty-six year old elementary teacher said: 'I wonder if Mary had a few moments of wonder after Gabriel's visit. How am I going to explain this to Joseph and my parents?'

As an unmarried pregnant women, she was opening herself to harsh gossip and ridicule, even death under the Mosaic Law. Agreeing to say yes so quickly makes it all the more radical.

Andrea, a thirty-three year old marriage and family therapy intern said: 'What she did is hard to fathom at my age, let alone being a teenager! It shows us how we, today, can act on faith, even if we cannot understand what is being asked of us.'

It’s clear from my interviews that even though the Annunciation took place two thousand years ago, today’s woman can imagine it as vividly as if it happened yesterday. Whether they feel admiration for Mary’s courage or awe at her swift 'yes,' many modern women can’t help but become personally engaged in her experience.

In a way, that’s not surprising, for the Annunciation is far more than just one girl’s story: it’s an encounter that has the power to speak to all women everywhere. Through Mary’s response, we’re reminded that some truly amazing things can happen when we let faith overcome our fear.”

Posted by Dan Herda
Tags: women, mary

Who Do He Say You Are?

main image

Who Does He Say You Are? Women Transformed by Christ in the Gospels by Colleen C. Mitchell

This book speaks to the heart of every woman. Sometimes we struggle with our identity, or acceptance of who we are. Christ elevates us to a new level once we discover His love, and our uniqueness and charisms in the light of who we are in HIS EYES. Each chapter contains a scriptural account about a woman in the Bible such as: Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist, Anna, the Prophetess, The Woman of Samaria, The Hemorrhaging Woman, The Woman Caught in Adultery, Mary Magdalen. The author highlights the characteristics of the woman in scripture, the challenges that can be applied to our own lives, her message to us today, and a beautiful prayer summarizing the chapter.

Each chapter closes with reflection questions. This book will deepen your spiritual life, challenge you to come closer to Jesus and above all, to share the message of God’s love in your life with others. Take this book with you on retreat, your Lenten Journey, or even as a part of your personal prayer life. The closing words of her book sums it perfectly: “May you discover yourself in the learning and drawing near, deeper and deeper still, to the God who made you – continuing to learn to embrace who it is He says that you are.  And may his Word ever guide you to know more of who you are in Him.”