“If you ever feel distressed during your day-call upon our Lady-just say this simple prayer “Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.” I must admit – this prayer has never failed me” says St. Mother Theresa of kolkata. Down the ages the human race sought the powerful intercession of Mother Mary and they were blessed with her maternal presence. Even today the humanity seeks comfort and consolation in her. This heavenly Mother never refuses her presence for any one. When we call upon her, she is present to meet our needs and to make us comfort. The movie called “Jesus of Nazareth” gives an eye catching scene which makes us to reflect deeply about the Mother of God who stood with her Son Jesus during his sorrowful journey to Calvary. Yes, that same Mother stands with us in every moment of our life to lead us to Jesus, her Son and our Lord.
When we read the Holy Bible one of the favourite biblical characters that touches our hearts is Mary Mother of Jesus. In her life we find a wealth of wisdom for our own walk with Jesus. Her life story gives ample examples for us know the kind of woman God uses to fulfil his purpose in the world. Let’s see her indomitable character that inspires us to imbibe.
Mary Mother of Jesus was an ordinary woman. There was nothing unusual about her. The significance of her life was not based on any worldly values namely education, natural gift s and abilities. I don’t think even she expected her life to be used in any extraordinary way. It was only Mother Mary’s relationship with Jesus that gave her life significance. In Lk 1:28 we read the angel said to her “The Lord is with you.” Yes, that is what made all the difference in the life of Mary our Mother. And this is what makes all the difference in our lives too. When Jesus is with us our way of living will change gradually. We look others in the eyes of Jesus. Our heart feels as Jesus felt for others. We walk toward others as Jesus spent his time for the needy and neglected. Am I carrying Jesus in my heart?
Mary Mother of Jesus was a Spirit-filled Mother. When the angel said to her, “You’re going to have a child,” Mother Mary responded, “How can this be? Since I have no husband? God had chosen her for a special task that was humanly impossible. The response to Mary’s expression of weakness, the angel promised her God’s strength saying “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” God chose Mother of God for the task that was humanly impossible. She could fulfil that task only because she co-operated with the promptings of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God moved in her so that she could say “YES” to the divine plan of God. In our day today life when we are attuning to the Spirit of God we live a faithful life like Mary our Mother. We cannot say that we can’t fulfil the purpose of God sending us to the world. We need to allow the Spirit of God to move in us and to work in us. When we grow in the school of the Spirit of God we become credible witnesses of God.
Mary Mother of God was a praising Mother. We see when Mary was faced with a drastic change in her plans, she responded in worship and praise saying, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” She praised God for his wonderful acts of mercy and for choosing her to be a part of his great redemptive plan. Her eyes were set on God’s marvellous works in her life. Even in the scripture from one end of the Bible to the other, we are commanded to praise God. The most beautiful prayer that taught by Jesus begins with praising God. St. Paul says in Phi 4:12, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” A spirit of thankfulness makes all the difference. Yes, the spirit of praise is always the mark of a joyous Christians especially religious. As we focus the life of Mary our Mother we are called to praise God continually in all the circumstances of our life.
Mary Mother of God was a woman of the Word of God. In Lk 1:46-55 we see quotations from the Old Testament that was used by Mother Mary. It shows that she had listened the Word of God and treasured in her heart. Her life and her prayers were filled with Scripture. In the book of Joshua we see God the Father commissioned Joshua to lead the Israelites. God commands Joshua saying “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night.” When we are ruled by the Word of God our lives direction will change and Jesus becomes the centre of our life. Our Mother stood firmly in the moments of joys and sorrows because the Word of God ruled her life. If our life is ruled by the Word of God we can say that we are true disciple of Jesus like our heavenly Mother.
To lead a holy and successful life we have true model in the life of our heavenly Mother. The more we admire her and make as our beloved mother she becomes our powerful intercessor. She will never fail us instead she keeps us under her blue mantle protecting us from all evil that threaten us. Let’s look at her then she will lead us to her Son Jesus.
Sr. Soly Kunnel SAB