Do Whatever He Tells You

There were several factors which prompted me to write this book. Several years ago, I gave several lectures on the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The talks went well, but I came away those experiences realizing that there was so much more to learn about Mary. Indeed from the Annunciation to the Passion and beyond, her life was extraordinary. It was a life that has profoundly affected our own lives. What has intrigued me the most are the periods in Mary's life that are mentioned but not detailed in Holy Scripture. There are many such periods, and they are there to be considered and reflected upon. These are periods between such events as the Annunciation and Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth, a trip on foot of four or five days. Following the Annunciation she went almost immediately to be with Elizabeth. Was this travel time a grace to allow her to consider what has just happened to her and what her future might hold? Surely all manner of questions must have flooded her mind, which we will consider in this book. There are many such "open" intervals in Mary's life that cause us to want to know more. We mustn't invent, but we can consider such periods as we seek to better the mind and heart of Mary. Another interest of mine has been to associate Old Testament writings to New Testament stories about Mary. For example, readers will notice that at the beginning of each chapter are two scripture quotations, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. The bible from Genesis to Revelation is one complete work; its books are interlinking parts of God's plan for our salvation. Mary is God's chosen instrument in what we may call a "joyous mystery which unites heaven and earth in a new way. Her "yes" to the angel Gabriel gave us the incarnate Christ Jesus. She lived her life trusting in God and doing his will as well as she could. Throughout her life she showed that our greatest peace and joy lie in doing the same.