by Ricky Doc Sauceda
Luke 1:46-55
Mary's Song of Praise
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
I first mentioned that I had a very special story to tell and that she would let me know when to tell it. Well, she is the Holy Mother: the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Guadalupe and various other names. How did I know it was time to tell my story? I got off-line this morning and walked over to my personal altar in my room. On it, I place my bibles and praying materials - which include a daily prayer guide and a rosary...of which I pray with every day. Until now, only one of you has known this information.
Do you see that handmade cross in the picture? It is made of a palm leaf; they are distributed once a year by my church on Palm Sunday. This cross usually sits in the space to the left that you see in the picture. This morning, the cross was on top of my bibles as you see it in the picture. I knew then that the time to tell my story had come. I have been trying to think of one thing that I haven't done as of yet that would delay my blessings from the LORD. Charles Stanley says it is always the hardest thing and once overcome it will open up the way for the LORD to bless us.
For me it was the story of the Virgin Mary appearing to me one summer evening in Rosenberg, Texas. I was staying with my sister Debbie, her husband and children for about two weeks. I can't remember the exact year, but Ricky was still in diapers. There are some family photos of the kids from that time. I was outside laying on my car's hood, and my now ex-wife was laying there with me. I was just looking up at the clouds at near dusk and was enjoying their beauty.
Suddenly, a beautiful lady appeared and she spoke to my spirit - I could hear her voice within me. She was radiant, I could feel her warmth passing through me, and she said,"I am the Blessed Virgin...the Mother of God...of Jesus Christ whom you love so much. I come to give you greetings and to give you anything that you ask...just ask and it will be given to you." I thought really hard about it, and it was "on the spot." I didn't have any time to really decide and I didn't want to be selfish. I thought about Momma, my sisters, my wife, my daughter, my niece, my son and my nephews.
I asked that she watch over, bless and protect the women and children of the family. She said it would be done as I had requested. She then motioned to her left and said,"These are your stars. If you ever have a need, just call on them and they will come and help you. Call on them whenever you need them." Just then a small group of stars appeared.
I still don't have any idea what it is these stars are or how they can assist me. I have asked only when I had really tough issues and everything seems to settle down. I do not think they can provide material things and are for spiritual support. I have seen my mother's image once since she passed away. It was late at night when I was moving things out of my three bedroom apartment to my one bedroom unit. I was exhausted and feeling sick - she appeared to me and told me to check my glucose level. So I did. It was very low and so I walked over to my old apartment and got something sweet to spike up my glucose level.
Before that time, momma had spoken to me and actually got me up to pray for my sisters. She said,"I want you to call upon your stars and pray for your sisters." It turned out that Anne had been beaten badly that night by her husband. I learned months later about this as we talked and pieced these events together. I know, deceased people can't talk to you...but you don't know my momma. If she needs to communicate, she will find a way.
I hear the Virgin's voice in my prayer time. She still communicates with me that way. Mom and her are very special and I love them both. I am very lucky to have such caring mothers. We all are, if you just let them love you. I mean your moms...they are all very special. They carry life within their bodies and are forever connected to you. This is not something you will find anywhere else in your life. A "life bond" that goes into a special category.
I have no proof that the Holy Mother spoke to me. She gives miracles and wonders as signs of proof to the others she has appeared to. To me, she gave a small group of stars. She gave bunches of roses to a man in Mexico once, when she appeared as the Our Lady of Guadalupe. This appearance is Indian in form to identify with the people in that region. I saw the Virgin as she appears to North America. Before that, I had no idea she appears differently to each part of the world; she changes.
I also did not pray often to her, and only did so because it was something my momma encouraged. I really was confused about the Virgin, the saints and the bible altogether. I now take great comfort in all of it - the parts of faith. I am in daily contact with my LORD and it is getting stronger now.
So, to share this story is my last revelation that has a great element in it. The fact I saw her and communicated with her. It was very special and still makes me feel good. I can still see her and all of her splendor...she is quite beautiful to behold. She told me to keep believing and to keep praying. I was much younger then, and had no idea just how special and strong prayer really is.
My faith is my life and without it I have no purpose...I am empty. I need the LORD and I cannot be without him for any reason. I will not deny my faith for anyone, anymore. I have a love and a desire for the LORD and only He can satisfy it.
I did mention that my ex-wife was with me that evening. She did not see or hear anything. I gave her "play by play" so to speak of all that was transpiring. She prayed the entire time and cried too. She believed me then, but I have no idea how she feels about it now. I told my mom and sisters and they were joyful over my experience. We didn't become wealthy or increase from it, but I know there was a purpose for the encounter.
I can only offer that the Holy Spirit dwells within the Virgin Mary. He was in her body to plant the Savior of the world in her womb. The life of Jesus Christ was in her body for nine months. The Jesus who healed and performed miracles and continues to do so today in the Spirit. This is indisputable, that the LORD is alive and powerful. His mother is a voice to the world to be ready for the coming of the LORD, who is her son.
Yes, we have the bible to give us this message. We are also blessed by our mother...the Virgin Mary. Why is she "our" mother? When Jesus died on the cross, he said: ...and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home (John 19:27). It is my faith that tells me she became mother to all of us at the cross. The Good Book tells us we are co-heirs to Christ in accepting him as Savior:
Romans 8:16-17
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Faith is all I have as evidence, but that is all any of us have.