According to Luke's Gospel, Mary was only a girl when angel Gabriel appeared to her and gave her the news that she is going to bear a child before her marriage to Joseph. Perfectly all right in today's times, but a frightening prospect in a tradition bound, puritanical Jewish society.
Mary was indeed troubled to hear the news. But, God in his wisdom had provided the example of Elizabeth, who was to have a child much past her childbearing age. The angel also explained how Mary was to conceive. "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest on you." (Luke 1:35)
But, it is Mary's simpleness and purity of heart that helped her to accept the message. We get an understanding of this in
Examine how two other people reacted when they too were blessed with a child. Zechariah, when told the news that
Mary, though troubled, accepted the message joyously, knowing that God in His wisdom would take care of everything – not quite knowing what that would be.
Mary could not have ever imagined that she was to accomplish what Abraham was refrained from undertaking. That the lamb that God supplied for the burnt offering, so that Isaac would live, would be her offspring.
That her son would pay the price of Eve falling prey to the serpent's temptation in the Garden of Eden.
"And I will put enmity between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heels"
(Gen 3:15)
Mary never imagined when she sang, "…for he has remembered me, his lowly servant" (Luke 1:48) that "…sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break (her) own heart." (Luke 2:35).
How tenderly Mary and Joseph would have cared for Jesus. How anxious they would have been when they did not find Jesus with them after a day's journey when returning from the Festival. How frantically they would have searched for Him in
Until then, Jesus' mission on earth was still not a reality for them. That day was a defining moment. From then on it must have been very different for Mary and Joseph. They would have come to terms with their son's redemptive role and its implication for them.
The tip of the sword was at Mary's heart.
From a frantic mother searching for a lost son (who would be lost to her again for three days), we witness the maturing of Mary at
Jesus was undecided. He knew if he were to do what Mary was requesting Him to do - change the water to wine - the word would get around. All those opposed to God's plan of redemption would be seeking His blood.
However, Mary knew the "time had come" and the will of God the Father had to be done. While Jesus protested, Mary quietly commanded the servants "do as He says". The miracle would have been routine for Mary, for Jesus would have surprised His family, time and again, before beginning His ministry, with his Godly nature and the power that God had vested in Him.
Then, Mary disappears from the Gospel, except for her appearance with Jesus' brothers and sisters at the place he was preaching, when Jesus states that those who do the "will of the Father" are His brothers and sisters. Was Mary hurt? No, Mary understood. It was what Jesus had taken birth to fulfill – that the "Father's will must be done on earth."
Where was Mary when she is not talked about in the Gospel?
Mary was the chief intercessor for Jesus and His mission, along with her husband, Joseph. Only they truly understood. It is to Mary's intercessory power that we turn today in our moments of loss and frailty when dealing with the ups and downs of life. Not just for ourselves, but those who are near and dear to us. And, for those who are prey to sin and temptation like our first parents – Adam and Eve.
Where did Jesus get the strength to accept the Cross? It can be said that it was Mary's constant intercession, away from the limelight. She still continues to do so on our behalf with her Son, and God the Father in heaven.
Mary has given us the powerful instrument of the Rosary to pray to her for our needs. And, as we lift our prayers to Mary, she consolidates and takes them to the feet of Jesus and God the Father, and asks mercy and blessing on our behalf for us and for mankind.
Where was Mary when the tomb was found open and Jesus was not there?
Mary was again in prayer, knowing that her Son would rise again on the third day. While Jesus said it openly, nobody understood Him. But, Mary would have heard Jesus talk about it when He was young; to prepare Mary and Joseph for what was to happen. Mary was praying for Jesus as his soul descended to the depths to help Him raise those who had died before him – and who deserved to be saved. Mary's prayers were needed, as our prayers are needed today for those who have gone before us.
Mary was without sin. She could not die a human death. She had to be assumed into heaven. As the first among equals, she was enthroned above all angels and saints.
To know Mary and all that she has gone through may never be possible. But, if with what little we know, if we can achieve even a fragment of her simplicity, her purity, her patience, her ability to suffer grief, her sense of purpose, her love for mankind, her ability to pray ceaselessly, and her ever-yielding heart to God's plan, we would have come to know Mary, our Mother, much beyond our imagination.
Mother Mary, be with us!
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