As we honor and celebrate our moms, living and deceased, let us take a moment and reflect on Mary, the Mother of God, of all the children of God, our mother.

Mary was a woman in love – in love with her husband, Joseph, but also in love with God. Her fiat was a choice she could not refuse because of her deep faith and love of the Almighty.

“Mary will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21)

She was willing to follow God’s grace wherever it would take her.  She became the Arc of the Covenant, giving flesh to the Incarnate Word.  Through her, Jesus took on human form and likeness.  Through Mary, Jesus became who God wanted and needed him to be, the Christ.  Through Mary, Our Savior became God with us.

What great love Mary bore for her only son and for humanity. She thwarted social and religious norms and practices in order to give herself totally to God.  The result was a joy she herself knew, and it was glorious yet mysterious.

But it was also heart-piercing.  Mary did not stand in the way of Jesus growing in wisdom and taking on his role, his purpose in life.  She allowed Jesus to go forth and take on the sins of humanity to save all humanity from the darkness of death.  What anguish she must have felt when he was not accepted.  What love she must have had for God to watch her beloved son from God be mocked, tortured and crucified.  Mary also knew the faith and love Jesus had for Almighty God and trusted in God’s fidelity.

When moms (and dads) welcome their children into the world, watch them grow into people with distinct personalities, likes and dislikes, send them off to learn about the world and their role in it, and guide them on the road to independence, they are following Mary’s example.  Mary did what all faithful moms do – she gave Jesus roots and wings.  May all mothers model their lives after Mary, the quintessential mother.

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