I wrote this little reflection/poem the other day when I was praying and figured it needed a bit of background. I was thinking how, for some, the Blessed Mother can seem inaccessible or unrelatable at times. And as I meditated on her life, I realized for the first time how incredible it is that she encapsulates so much in her person.
I love that Christianity is filled with paradox. The God-man. The Virgin Mother. The death that gives life. And Mary’s life here on earth was filled with that paradox, which is one of the things that makes her the model for us all, no matter our vocation or spiritual charism. The consecrated virgin, yet mother of all mothers; the pondering contemplative, yet an integral part of the most vibrant community of believers. You get the idea. And she can be so much for us in her role now as well, because God filled her with grace and then made her the vessel of grace flowing out to the world.
So both in who she was here on earth and who she is now as Queen of heaven, she is someone each of us can look to throughout our lives. For those who are mothers or who need a mother; for those who feel distant from God or those who want to go further into contemplation. For those who long to be mothers and are trying to embrace God’s will, for those who have lost a child, those who suffer, and those who need hope that this world is not all there is; that heaven awaits us — body and soul.
I hope all you mothers had a very happy Mother’s Day and felt deeply what a gift you are. And if you aren’t close to the Blessed Mother, I urge you to check out our friend Fr. Michael Gaitley’s book on Marian consecration, 33 Days to Morning Glory!
“She”
She is the Woman for all women.
She is mother, who nurtured and cared for her Son,
She is virgin, her entire being dedicated to God,
She is hope of the future for the broken.She was the one who watched her loved one suffer,
Who suffered herself as her heart was pierced,
And who saw her child killed before her eyes.She was a housewife,
A contemplative,
Alone, as one set apart.She was immersed in a strong community,
She was immersed in the garden of her thoughts,
Immersed in the heart of God,
pondering His mysteries.She is the Grace-bearer,
And bearer of our burdens,
Tenderhearted towards our weakness,
Leading us to Christ.She is Mary, the virtuous,
Comfort of the weary,
Refuge for the sinner,
Mother to the children of the Vale.
(Taken from MercySong Ministries E-Newsletter, Issue No. 5: Pentecost, Memorial Day, & the Month of Mary)
