Reflections - Mary Our Mother

Mary Our Mother

Getting to know her

The story of Mary is a story of humble acceptance of God's will in her life. From the euphoria of giving birth to the Son of God, who would be king and whose kingdom would never end, to the shattering sorrow of holding her maimed son's body on her lap - Mary bore it all with a grace that is difficult to describe. 

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 too was with 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 simplicity and purity of heart that helped her to accept the message. We get an understanding of this in Elizabeth's words to Mary, "How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!" (Luke 1: 45). 

Examine how two other people reacted when they too were blessed with a child. Zechariah, when told the news that Elizabeth would have a child, questioned the angel and was struck dumb until the naming ceremony of John the Baptist. Sarah, Abraham's wife, laughed when the angel broke the news about them being blessed with Isaac (his name means ‘laughter’). 

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 when reading about the patriarchs in the Hebrews Bible that she was to accomplish what Abraham was refrained from undertaking. That the lamb that God supplied to Abraham for the 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. (Gen 3:15)

"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"

                                                                   

 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 Jerusalem. After all, He was only twelve years old. When they finally found Jesus, they discover that they have been searching in all the wrong places. 

While they had a premonition, 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 Cana, at the wedding feast. 

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, his disciples chose not to understand. It is a bit like when we make ourselves oblivious to danger warnings because the thought of the impending danger is more frightening than the event – until of course the event occurs.

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. With the little we know; it could be our endeavor to imitate Mary and her life just that wee bit.

She was clothed in simplicity, beheld in purity, crowned with patience, empowered to suffer grief, filled with a sense of purpose, consumed with love for mankind, endowed to pray ceaselessly, and embodied with an ever-yielding heart to God's plan. 

Mother Mary, pray for us and be with us, always!