These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, October 26

Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love. (Eph 4:7-16)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102624.cfm
Growing in every way into Christ, the head, being built up in love: all from the grace that has been given to each of us. The Blessed Virgin Mary is hailed by the Angel Gabriel as “full of grace.” In one sense Mary is the first disciple of her Son. And to all the disciples of her Son she says, “Do whatever he tells you.”