His point was that a mundane action, carried out in a disciplined way, can be transformative. So it is with prayer.

Ultimately, the jobs, the degrees, the nice houses, are all chaff in God’s eyes—they do not make us virtuous or worthy.

Confidence in God makes Jesus sinless for us. Hope in humanity, in ourselves, does the same for Mary.

Mary shows us qualities to seek in our prayer life: receptivity to the divine word, thoughtful reflection and finally, the subordination of our wills to God’s wisdom.

Second Wednesday of Advent

However it happens, at some point, you will realize that you have no idea where you are, and that there are a lot of unfriendly beasts out there in the world.