While reading St. Luke 2, I have come to have a different perspective on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. I am not a mother yet, I hope to be someday, however I have observed the love, care, and dedication that mothers have towards their children (first hand experience with my own dotting mom). They try to move mountains, walk through rivers, scale walls, just to ensure that their child/children are safe and pain-free. I’ve seen many mom breakdown when their child has an apparent lack or need that they are unable to fulfill. Having observed and experienced a mother’s love and dedication. I was drawn to Mary in a new, profound way that that triggered many questions, thoughts, and assumptions about her character and personal convictions.
Firstly, before Mary became the Mother of Jesus, she was just a girl. Many say that Mary was between 14 and 19 years old. The books of St. Matthew and St. Luke does not mention her age but what they do mention is that she was chosen by God. What type of character did she have to become a chosen vessel of God? What was her relationship with God like? What was a her heart posture like?
St. Luke 1 vs 28 gives us some insight of what God thought of her, “Thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women”. Verse 30 also retorted “thou hast found favors with God”. What was it about her that caused her to have such great favor? Mary was so loved and favored that she accepted the task of being used physically for God’s Glory.
Secondly, before and after she gave birth, she was being prophesied to by an ANGEL, then by her cousin, and even random strangers. All of these encounters must have been overwhelmingly strange and scary. I thought of what I’d do if I was in her shoe, I would have probably run away from this assignment and cried “this task is too great for me!!”. I’d probably tell my mom and all my friends. I’d ask for advice and confide n my mentor. The level of spiritual maturity required to go against the norms of society at that age, at the time, must have been quite stressful. This could have caused her death, to be found pregnant with no husband. To be found pregnant while engaged knowing that the child isn’t the fiancée’s. This could have caused her to be ostracized by her friends and family members. (Maybe she was initially, as only Elizabeth had the revelation of her pregnancy). Despite all this, Mary kept all these things in her heart and willingly obeyed God. She didn’t tell her mom, close friends, mentor, or anyone. She kept it in her heart. She trust God.
This is what Mary has taught me.
- Keep your body pure, holy and set apart for God’s use. Yes, God still calls us to be pure. Purity might not be popular, however 1 John 3:3 say “And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure”. Be pure for Jesus is pure and we are called to emulate him.
- Keep things in your heart. Don’t share too much. Sometimes you need to sit silently. Let people say what they want, assume what they want. Trust God to ‘clear the air’ by revealing your situation to others.
- Worship. Praise even when there are uncertainties surrounding what God has called you to do.
- God will lead you to do things that are against societal norms. Trust Him.
- Obey God. “To obey is better than sacrifice. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
- Trust in the Lord. Do not trust in your own understanding. We are limited in out knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
- God’s thoughts are higher than ours thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). He sees the bigger picture and the whole story, while we only see what’s right in front of us.
- Though we gave birth to our children, they do not belong to us. We are called to be stewards of our children. As Jesus we being persecuted, Mary was always present of close. She did not interfere, she did not hang on to him. She was present and she stayed close. Train your child to love God, then trust God to lead them throughout their lives.
Mary relied on God for strength. She relied on God for understanding. She relied on God for the ability to let go.
What have you learned from Mary? How has she impacted your journey as a mother or in your preparation to becoming a mom?
STAY BLESSED,
DAYDRI