LIKE MARY, GO WITH HASTE

By Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY

A Midweek Spiritual Workout with
Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin

LIKE MARY, GO WITH HASTE


On September 8, we celebrated the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and four days later, we honored Her Name Day. On September 15, we commemorated Our Lady of Sorrows. September focuses our attention on Mary and Her role in salvation history, the story of God’s plan to save humanity from sin and bring us to heaven.

At the Annunciation, Mary immediately said yes to the angel and accepted Her role as the Handmaid of the Lord and the Mother of Jesus. This was big news, astonishing news, and very difficult to comprehend. But Mary, in humble faith and with great trust, said, “Yes.”

When Mary learned that her older cousin, Elizabeth, was also expecting, her thoughts immediately turned to her. Mary could have worried about all that needed to be done in preparation for the birth of Jesus, but instead, she chose to focus on Elizabeth's needs. She entrusted herself completely to God, showing a selflessness that we can all aspire to.

In Luke 1:39, we learn what Mary did in just six short words: “Mary arose and went in haste.” She hurried toward the distant hills to visit Elizabeth, confident in God's plan. Though Her journey was uncertain, She was certain that God’s plan was the best plan for Her life, and this trust in God's plan brought Her hope and reassurance. Let's take a moment to reflect on this trust and how it can guide our own actions.

On this SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, let’s ask ourselves when we will go out in haste. How do we react to the needs that we see all around us? How do we show interest in others? How do we demonstrate a willingness to help? Like Mary, be the Church, rise, and go with haste in the direction the Spirit is calling you. Let's take a moment to reflect on these questions and our own actions. Where will you go in haste this week?

 

“To the world, you may be just one person, but to one person, you may be the world.” ~ Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel

 


Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin was born in Kibakwe, Mpwapwa, Dodama Tanzania, Africa, on January 23, 1978. He was ordained to the Ministerial Priesthood on July 12, 2012, by Archbishop Gervas John M. Nyaisonga. Following his service as Pastor in his home country of Tanzania, Father was commissioned to the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh, PA, where he was assigned studies and pastoral duty at Immaculate Conception Church in Dudley, PA. After he completed his Master's Degree at Villanova University, Father was reassigned to serve as chaplain and pastoral care at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. He completed his ministry there and returned to Tanzania on May 7, 2024.

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