Protection of the Theotokos (1 October): Childlike Love for the Theotokos

About this sermon

The saints and holy elders often speak about the Theotokos, the Mother of God, with a love resembling the uncomplicated love of a little child for his mother. They don't merely know things about her. They run to her. But do we? When trouble comes, when we're worried about our families, or when we have an important decision to make, how often do we immediately turn to our heavenly Mother and simply ask: “Protect me.” This homily for the Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos reflects upon the words of the Romanian elder Arsenie and his extraordinary devotion to the Mother of God. He teaches that the Theotokos is grieved by those who, through carelessness or ingratitude, rarely ask anything of her. Yet how generous she is toward those who continually seek her aid and protection. We often make decisions first and pray afterward. We worry, calculate, rush, and try to solve everything ourselves. Instead, we should learn to cling to the Mother of God and seek her protection in the circumstances of everyday life. The homily also reflects upon her extraordinary compassion for the sorrowful, weak, persecuted, and suffering. Rather than imagining devotion to Mary as something distant or abstract, we should approach her with the confidence of children approaching their mother. And developing that relationship doesn't necessarily require another long prayer. Begin with two words: Protect me. Say it throughout the day. Say it when you're tempted. Say it when you're anxious. Say it before making a decision. Say it when you're worried about your children or family. Say it when you don't know what to do. “Most Holy Theotokos, protect me.” Repeated with love and trust, this little prayer can begin breaking down the barrier created by our forgetfulness. Eventually, we may discover ourselves instinctively running to our heavenly Mother with even the smallest problems—just as we once ran to our earthly mothers as children. ☦️ Most Holy Theotokos, protect us. Amen. 00:00 The saints' extraordinary love for the Theotokos 00:26 Loving the Mother of God like a child 00:43 The love children have for their mothers 01:07 Do we run to our heavenly Mother? 01:22 Elder Arsenie and devotion to the Theotokos 01:37 The Mother of God is grieved when we ask nothing of her 01:53 Continually asking for her aid and protection 02:11 How often do we forget the Theotokos? 02:19 Asking her help with major life decisions 02:36 Making decisions without first asking for protection 02:46 Why we need to cling to her today 03:06 Elder Arsenie on the compassion of the Mother of God 03:14 The Theotokos among the sorrowful and weak 03:34 Defending those who call upon her 03:49 A mother's extraordinary love 04:04 Breaking the habit of forgetting her 04:11 You don't always need a long prayer 04:18 Simply say: “Protect me” 04:25 Praying throughout the day 04:32 Breaking down the barrier between us and her 04:41 Rediscovering childlike love for the Theotokos 04:50 Run to her with your simplest worries 05:05 “Protect us” — Amen For more please visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRavXY4gi2nW-oCv4dez2Xw & say 3 Hail Marys for the priest #Theotokos #MotherOfGod #ProtectionOfTheTheotokos #VirginMary #BlessedVirginMary #ByzantineCatholic #EasternCatholic #MarianDevotion #Prayer #CatholicPrayer #Catholic #CatholicFaith #CatholicHomily #ChristianPrayer #OurLady #SpiritualLife #JesusChrist #Pokrov #MotherMary #SensusFidelium 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #GuardianAngels #CatholicTeaching #CatholicFaith #AngelsAndDemons #CatholicSpirituality #PadrePio #StThomasAquinas #GuardianAngelPrayer #CatholicChurch #FaithAndAngels

Topics

• Love & Compassion