At the foot of the cross, Mary's role as Mother of God was expanded as Jesus asked her to become Mother of the Church: "Woman, Behold Your Son".

Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, can teach us a few things about faith. Christian author Lyn Peterson looks at believing for the impossible.

We are the Beloved of God. This is our core identity as sons and daughters, and God wants us to sit with him and enjoy his company . He wants us to be happy and unafraid. He passionately desires our love, even more than we desire him. Sometimes we hold back from approaching God, feeling ourselves unworthy, and because our image of God is distorted. Perhaps we worry about our sin, even though God is always ready to forgive us (and when we repent, he runs towards us with open arms; see for example, the story of the Forgiving Father in Luke chapter 15- it's often described as the story of the Prodigal Son). When we feel nervous about approaching God, it's usually because we haven't fully received the gift of his unconditional love for us, the perfect love that drives out all fear from our hearts and minds. But the more we sit with Jesus in adoration, and allow him to feed us with his body, blood, soul, and divinity through the Eucharist and in prayer, the more we will be able to receive this transforming, generous love. This unique unconditional love of God cannot be earned, only received in humility as a free gift. Below is an exquisitely beautiful poem written by George Herbert, a 17th century Romantic poet; his words are, I believe, inspired by the Holy Spirit. The poem is sublime because it conveys God’s desire for us; it reassures us that we belong in his family. On the advice of my priest, who is both kind and wise, I have meditated upon it at length and found it very healing to the soul. It dispels all doubts and fears for those who are nervous about approaching God.

How to nurture invincible hope

Christian writer Lyn Alderson describes how she met the Blessed Mother at 35,000 feet on the way to Vatican City

The 'Little Flower', St. Therese of Lisieux, had a unique vision of God's grace - that we can go to God as little children, trusting him in all things and we can bloom exactly where God has planted us. Lyn Alderson shares a few thoughts on this unassuming saint.

God's end goal for his children is total transformation through his grace, so that we can partake of his divine nature. C S Lewis believed we would be much like the kings and queens of Narnia he wrote about. Lyn Alderson reflects on God's promise to bring about a striking metamorphosis in our lives.

Mary was given an incredible assignment- to give birth to the Son of God. In saying yes, she played an important role in salvation history. We too can say yes to God and set the scene for miracles to happen. By Lyn Peterson, author of Royal Birds: God's Overcoming Daughters

As we run our personal races for Jesus, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses looking down from Heaven's stadium. So let's put our best feet forward.