Mary the mother of Jesus, the HUMAN side of her ( last post)

Mary was almost 50 when Jesus died and women aged rapidly in those days. In her old age she continued to play a vital role in the establishment of the Christian Church. She reassured and supported the apostles in their struggle to propagate the teachings of her son. Then she died and was assumed into Heaven to be rewarded for her holiness, her virtue, her suffering and her great courage.

Now that I am a middle aged, the image I have of Mary I cherish is of a good courages woman. An aged Jewish woman. her dark hair streaked with grey, her olive skinned face lined, her brown eyes reflecting her wisdom and experience of life and it's sufferings, her hands roughened by physical work, her feet calloused from walking sandaled along dusty road, her clothes coarse, homespun and dark, like those of Bedouin women.

I see a woman who has been a pregnant girl, a loving wife, a lonely and frightened young mother, a devoted daughter, a neighbour, a friend, a widow, a solo mother, a lay worker in the church. I can recognise her and be comfortable with her.

I honour her.

Mary, the mother of Jesus. We cannot get round her.

She was so necessary - to take upon her the role of mother.

I have heard it said, read it somewhere and even said or thought to myself:
( when observing or being involved in some way with a mother and child)

"This is the best mother for this child"

God chose Mary as the mother for Jesus, just as he choses all of us for special tasks

He alone knows our strength and weaknesses.

When confronted with a task trust in God.

He knows I am  / you are UP to the challenge.

I don't ADORE Mary in the sense that I put her before God or my faith

I do, just like the original author of this piece - honour her in her mother role and can ask for her help when my going gets touch.

Yes, I pray 'directly' to Jesus, to my God, to the Holy Spirit

But I also remember Mary and who she was

A mum wanting to protect, guide and nurture her child.

Mary, the mother to and for all mothers

Mary the Mother of Jesus, the HUMAN side of her (1)

I cannot claim the honour of this precious piece of writing. Many years ago, when I was a member of the Catholic Women's League in Taradale, Napier, New Zealand, I was asked to read this tribute to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. I have to say, although honoured to do so, after a proef read, I realised I was not going to keep it dry. So many truths, mother love's and pain, that I could in a tiny way identify with Mary. I also realised that there would be many who thought this- the meeting which I addressed was to a large number of women, of mothers, scared in some way in their mother role.

I will print it in parts- spending some moments on the contents which I am sure, will inspire me to reflect and share my thoughts.

This precious writing was originally delivered to the Palmerston North Diocesan Conference of the Catholic Women's League by Patricia Hocqaurd of Wanganui, New Zealand, the author of this writing. This is her ode to Mary.

I, who am a middle aged woman, stand before you to speak of Our Lady.I have little knowledge of scripture, I am ashamed of my lack of piety, so I offer you no learned discourse, no spiritually uplifting treatise, I shall simply share with you my view of Mary, the Mother of God.

When I was young I saw Mary as a very romantic figure. My favourite image was of a beautiful young girl, with serene white face, blue eyes uplifted to heaven, long curling brown hair, smooth hands folded serenely on her breast, wearing a robe of the purest white embroidered in gold and covered with a pale blue cloak, - a lovely girl crowned witha  circle of stars.

Now that I am older I do not think of her that way at all. At times in my life when God seems very remote and far away, I think of the humanness of Mary, and am comforted by the knowledge that this woman who experienced things in her life that women today experience, is with the Lord and that she will intercede for me. Mary was a woman of great virtue and holiness, but today I will speak of her HUMANNESS.

Mary as a human, Mary as a girl, Mary as 'one of us'.

In the Catholic Church we first and foremost honour and pray to God our Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit - all three as One.

We also acknowledge the importance of Mary, the mother of Jesus and Joseph His earthly father and Mary's husband.

God wanted Jesus to have a mother and a father here on earth. He had his reasons for that. I also 'seek' Mary in my prayer life.

It was custom in my childhood years, for parents to add the name Mary to their children's chosen names. They did this as a tribute to Mary and also as an 'extra' support, as Mary was seen as Mother of all mothers. Who better to ask to keep an extra special eye on their child? My 3 brothers, my sister and I all carry her name.

My grandmother ( on maternal side) so loved Mary also that she used to encourage us to say 3 Hail Mary's before sleeping. This request has stayed with me all my years, I am 62 now. I admit to skipping nights - but also giving heed to that request. Especially when I have 'mother worries'.

It doesn't take much imagination to conjure up some HUMAN events in Mary's life. events that many woman face today.

The angel delivered the message of the Incarnation to a 14 year old Jewish girl. He told her she was going to bear a child who was the Son of God. The girl, Mary, accepted the will of the Lord.