Mother. The word evokes a myriad of feelings and memories determined by our own personal experiences. Nevertheless, these feelings have a tendency to change over the years for childhood and teenage perspectives evolve as we grow, and adulthood often brings a deeper understanding if not appreciation for all our mothers have been - have done for us.
Mother of Jesus. Here, the title mother may alter those feelings and transform the meaning to include another realm, because Mary is truly the Crown Jewel of our race. She models for us absolute confidence in God, profound courage in facing adversity, and gentleness in every human encounter.
In the midst of his unfathomable suffering for humankind, Jesus’ last act was to give us a gift - his mother. We are hers and she is ours. Imagine the disciples gathered around Mary with questions that only she could answer. “What was He like as a baby?” “Did He cry a lot?” “Was He the least bit sorry when He came in from playing covered with dust and dirt?” “What excuses did he give you?” “Was he quick to learn the carpenter’s skills from St. Joseph?” How she must have laughed as they flooded her with questions! What secrets did she reveal about her young son growing up? And then, “What happened the day he told you it was time?” “Time to leave home and begin the real mission of His Father in Heaven?”
Jesus left his mother on earth after his ascension for a reason. Surely, the apostles sought Mary’s blessing and advice in continuing the work of Our Lord. And surely, we too, can seek her counsel in living every day.
This means that whatever our circumstances on earth may be, we can always share our heart’s deepest secrets with her, our most perfect mother. From the moment of her initial fiat, her heart never stopped beating with his. Will she not lead us to Jesus, whom she cradled, fed, taught and followed to the end of his life? May we call on her more fervently as we persevere in spreading the Kingdom of God.
Sister Angela Cresswell, CSFN
