WEEK TWO:

“Mary becomes Mother because of her assent, in which she lets the word spoken by the angel come alive in her through the Holy Spirit. In her assent itself, grace was visible as God’s question which she might answer. Now that she is a mother, her pregnancy has become a sign and pledge of the grace developing in her as God’s answer. Between the two—God’s question and his answer—there lies no long evolution. Just as the Mother does not reflect and asks for no time to consider, so God’s answer is also an immediate one…God’s assent cannot be inferred from man’s assent alone, and yet the assent of man is only thinkable within the perfect Yes of divine grace.”

You cannot see this baby, but you can feel the symptoms of pregnancy. The miracle of your baby’s conception was God’s grace to you and the father of the child. With every little discomfort this week—excess saliva, nausea or vomiting, moodiness, extreme fatigue—let the wonder of God’s divine grace intercede. These symptoms make the power of God’s grace visible, right now in your life. Consider the many ways in which God’s perfect Yes of divine grace may have helped you endure physical or spiritual difficulties in the past. Let your meditation conclude by asking God for help in making His grace visible in your life.

Journaling Questions:

What physical symptoms are causing me the worst suffering today? Are there also symptoms of discomfort in my relationship with the Lord?

What questions do you feel God is placing before you during this pregnancy? How do you envision His answers appearing?

Bible Verses for Additional Meditation

Prayer:

Creator of my life and my unborn child, I thank you for including me in Your plan of creation. Let your joy over the child within permeate my life, so that everyone I encounter will see the goodness of your world. Amen.