When Mary says "yes" to a person, for example, Joseph, she says it as a private individual, and the power of this "yes" is finite. But when she says it to God at the moment when God decides to incarnate grace within her, this "yes" is taken by grace itself into dimensions that correspond to God's message. It is no longer a private "yes," but a Catholic "yes." It becomes the cradle of all Christians. Mary speaks on behalf of all those who are to participate in redemption. And from now on, this will be the rule in Christian contemplation: the praying person will always have to respond to God on behalf of all those who are considered for the intended role, who are in any way connected with Him. Thus, the Mother's "yes" also becomes a prerequisite for the Eucharist: the infinite sharing of the Son into countless pieces is the mystery of representation. His love is sacrificed, His blood is shed for the salvation of many. And the Father always wants to hear in the voices of individuals who receive the Son, the voices of many who should be receiving Him.
(Adrienne von Speyr, Servant of the Lord)
