While we seek to progress in the spiritual life, its important for us to walk with the Blessed Virgin Mary and learn from her example.
Pope Benedict XVI urged everyone to look to Mary in an Angelus message from 2006, encouraging imitation of her receptivity to the Word of God.
The Virgin Mary herself, among all human creatures the closest to God, still had to walk day after day in a pilgrimage of faith (cf. Lumen Gentium, n. 58), constantly guarding and meditating on in her heart the Word that God addressed to her through Holy Scripture and through the events of the life of her Son, in whom she recognized and welcomed the Lord's mysterious voice.
He then explained how we should listen to Jesus, as Mary listened to him.
And so, this is the gift and duty for each one of us during the season of Lent: to listen to Christ, like Mary. To listen to him in his Word, contained in Sacred Scripture. To listen to him in the events of our lives, seeking to decipher in them the messages of Providence. Finally, to listen to him in our brothers and sisters, especially in the lowly and the poor, to whom Jesus himself demands our concrete love. To listen to Christ and obey his voice: this is the principal way, the only way, that leads to the fullness of joy and of love.
Whenever we need encouragement in our spiritual lives, may we look to Mary and ask for her help in listening to her Son, Jesus.
