We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Our Blessed Mother Mary and Motherhood
FREE Catholic Classes
By Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Catholic Online
How can the Virgin Mother of God, the first disciple, a member of the Holy Family, and the Mother of the Church also be my mother? How does the Blessed Mother's life affect mine? How can a simple mother like me aspire to imitate such an amazing mother?
When we think about Mary, we may recall instances in her life that we have learned which illustrate her gentleness, humility, holiness, and her selflessness. Images from our Catholic tradition and what we have learned from Scripture may come to mind. We are reminded of Mary as a little faithful Jewish girl praying with her people in Palestine for the coming of the Messiah, fulfilling God's promises. Mary also prayed for the restoration of Jerusalem as the gathering place of the chosen people. Mary was familiar with Isaiah's words that a virgin would conceive and bear a child called Immanuel-"God with us." Throughout her faithful prayers, however, Mary never imagined that she would be that virgin.
A Faithful and Generous Heart
We certainly recall the momentous occasion when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary when she was a teenager, announcing to her that she would become Jesus' mother (Luke 1: 26 - 39). Because of her humility, Mary found it difficult to believe that it was she, a simple girl, who was chosen by God. When Mary took that blessing to her heart she responded with her courageous "yes" to God. Her determination and generous heart sent her shortly afterwards on a three day journey, on foot, pregnant and by herself, to help her cousin Elizabeth who was much older and also expecting a child. Joseph stayed behind with his work. Scripture tells us that Mary "went in haste to a Judean town in the hill country" (Luke 1:39). We can be sure that Mary prayed and reflected all throughout her journey, while the blessedness of Jesus dwelled within her. After Elizabeth's baby leaped in her womb upon Mary's arrival, the two women embraced. Elizabeth praised Mary for her great faith, and Mary responded with the words of the Magnificat, glorifying God's holiness, justice and mercy (Luke 1:46 - 55). She humbly expressed that all generations will call her blessed because of the great things the Lord had done in her (Luke 1:48 - 49).
Perhaps as we think about Mary, we may envision Joseph leading his beloved Mary on a donkey searching for a place for Mary to give birth to Jesus. In their simplicity of traveling mode, Mary was jostled around on the donkey's back, praying to be able to fulfill her mission and bring forth her Son, the Redeemer of the world. We know that the innkeeper turned the holy parents away. Joseph and Mary proceeded in haste to the stable in Bethlehem where soon afterwards Jesus' infant cries were comforted at His mother's breast as Joseph looked on, praising God. Jesus, who is our King and Savior was paradoxically born into poverty, resting in a wooden manger of hay, hardly what is expected for a King's birth. Angels sent simple shepherds to Mary and Joseph to see their holy baby. Mary "treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19)
Through the hidden years, we can imagine Mary teaching Jesus on her knee in the warmth of their humble home. As Jesus grew, Mary surely encouraged her Son to help Joseph in his trade as a carpenter. Mary's faith deepened in the cenacle of prayer that she fostered in the heart of her home, caring for her Son within their Holy Family. She must have shared with him about the Angel's words to her, about His birth in Bethlehem, and Simeon's prophesy.
The Shadow of the Cross
The shadow of the Cross fell upon Mary early in her life and during what was meant to be a joyous occasion when her baby was presented in the Temple. The aged Simeon prophesied that Jesus would be a "sign that will be opposed" and forewarned Mary that a sword of sorrow would pierce through her own soul (Luke 2:34 - 35). The prophetic words couldn't be escaped; Mary and her Son would have to sacrifice dearly in their Divine mission of redemption. Mary and Joseph also had to escape Herod's brutal rampage which forced them to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13 - 23. Mary was constantly being called to a deeper faith and a more perfect trust in God. She always responded with her heart which she totally open to God's will. Mary continued to grow in grace and strength.
This Jewish mother, Mary spoke up when she and Joseph had been searching for their twelve-year-old Son, Jesus for three days. Mary was relieved to have found Jesus but her heart was heavy. "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety" (Luke 2: 48). When Jesus explained what He was doing, Mary immediately accepted her Son's mission.
"Do Whatever He Tells You"
"They have no wine," Mary told her Son, Jesus as He was about to start His public ministry. Mary was sympathetic that a bride and groom at Cana were without wine for their wedding and was also eager for her Son to start His work. Jesus appeared reluctant to perform His first miracle because it was not yet the "hour," and seemed to rebuke His mother. Mary confidently told the wine stewards to "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:3, 5). Mary's initiative, intercession, obedience, as well as her respect for her Son's role and faith in Him ultimately nudged Jesus on. The power of a mother's love brought about Jesus' first public miracle which began His public ministry (John 2:4).
As she stood at the foot of the Cross, Mary knew that it was her Son's death that would bring life to the world. Even so, her heart was breaking. "Here is your mother," Jesus said from the Cross (John 19:26 - 27). He entrusted Mary to John and John to Mary. The disciple, John really represented the whole Christian community. Mary became the mother of the whole Church at her Son's request. She became the new Eve (John 19:26). Her obedience to her call in life was being constantly fulfilled in her because she had given herself completely to the will of the Father.
At the end of Jesus' ministry on Earth, Mary devotedly watched her afflicted Son. She had walked Calvary with Him and now her mother's heart was pierced with anguish at her Son's agonizing death. She held Him close when His lifeless body was placed in her arms, crying and praying to her Father in Heaven. Her hopes would be fulfilled at Easter.
The Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation again came to her on Pentecost (Acts 1:14) where she received guidance, for herself and the Church. We can be sure that The Holy Spirit was always active in our Blessed Mother Mary's life.
The Heart of the Home
While we will never accomplish what our Blessed Mother has, or come close to her holiness, we too, as mothers are also called to holiness in the sublime role of raising our children. Our Mother Mary gives us so many attributes and virtues to emulate in our vocation as a mother. We can look to Mary and realize that her deep faith was really the foundation of her holiness. We should remember that Mary was human like us and needed to pray so that she would be unwavering in her faith, just as we mothers are called to do. Mary's faith is the same gift available to us. We can ask Mary to be a mother to us and guide us closer to her Son, Jesus.
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Mothers can learn from Mary who is an example of one who listened to God and allowed the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide her. We learn from Mary that a mother's prayer is powerful. When we are asked to endure suffering or pain within our vocation, we can turn our thoughts to Mother Mary and ask her assistance and intercession. Throughout difficulties trusting in God during particular situations within their home-life, mothers can meditate on Mary's faithful trust in our Lord and in the guidance from the Holy Spirit. When we experience the deep joy within our role as a mother, we can feel an affinity with someone who has also experienced deep joy in mothering Jesus.
Mary's marvelous "yes" to God indeed changed the entire world for all eternity. May all faithful mothers also courageously answer our Lord, "Be it done unto me according to thy word," as they strive to raise their families in a cenacle of prayer that they have fostered in the heart of their homes.
__________________
Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, mother of five and Lay Missionary of Charity is the author of the best-selling book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers (Our Sunday Visitor, Oct. 05), The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home (Crossroad, Oct. 06), and Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena For Expectant Mothers (Crossroad, April 07). All were endorsed by Blessed Teresa and blessed by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com. She offers daily inspiration at her blog: "Daily Donna-Marie: A Dose of Inspiration" at www.donnamariecooperoboyle.blogspot.com.Her work can be seen in several magazines and Catholic websites.
Contact
Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
http://www.donnamariecooperoboyle.blogspot.com
CT, US
Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle - author, 661 869-1000
DCooperMcCarthy@aol.com
Keywords
Mary, Blessed Mother, Motherhood
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716
A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain
Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul
A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell
My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz
Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell
Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online
Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online
Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online
State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online
Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online
2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online
Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online
Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online
Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online
Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online
Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online
Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online
Full Circle
Robert Gieb
Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite
Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony
Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell
World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online
Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA
Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online
A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe
Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly
Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard
The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely
Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow
A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow
Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea
Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard
Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol
Edging God Out
Paul Sposite
Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow
George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online
Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell
Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey
Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite
Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol
Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol
Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online
Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online
Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online
Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online
Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online
Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online
Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Thursday, May 16, 2024
- St. Simon Stock: Saint of the Day for Thursday, May 16, 2024
- Prayer to St. Gabriel, for Others: Prayer of the Day for Friday, May 10, 2024
- Daily Readings for Wednesday, May 15, 2024
- St. Dymphna: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, May 15, 2024
- Prayer for Travelers: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, May 09, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.