Posted on 05/08/2011 1:45:20 PM PDT by Salvation
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5/4/11
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As Mother’s Day approaches, it is likely that each of us can recall several moments when we did not behave in the way that our mothers desired. It is certainly not always easy to be a mother, especially when her dreams for her children may not work out as planned. We are, in a particular way during this month, reminded of how much our mothers have sacrificed for us and we should take the opportunity to let our own mothers know that we cherish and value them.
As Catholics, it is the Blessed Mother to whom we should look for a true model of motherhood, and also in a personal and real way as our Mother in the spiritual life. On those difficult days when things do not go as we intended, we remember that Mary’s life also had great difficulties and hardships that she could not have foreseen at the Annunciation. Mary certainly could not have anticipated the full totality into which her “yes” — her fiat — would lead her. Mary’s joyful acceptance led to the birth of Christ and ultimately to the gift of our salvation through her Son’s death and resurrection. Yet, this was not her only gift to us. It is at the Crucifixion that the true meaning of motherhood is revealed: it is there at the Cross that a mother is called not only to accept God’s will in her own life, but also to embrace it in the lives of her children, as did Mary.
Our Holy Father tells us that “Mary’s motherhood, which began with her fiat in Nazareth, is fulfilled at the foot of the Cross” (Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at Mass in Ephesus, November 29, 2006). Standing there as her only Son died, her grace-filled faith, hope and charity were not only strong enough to sustain her in suffering through the horror of the Crucifixion, but also granted her the deep union with her Son that allowed her to participate in a full, true and uniquely maternal way in her Son’s saving sacrifice.
It is also here at the Cross that Christ gives Mary to each of us as our Mother. The Holy Father echoes the words of Saint Anselm, “‘from the moment of her fiat Mary began to carry all of us in her womb” (Ibid). With her complete and open fiat at the Annunciation she said yes, not only to the physical conception of Jesus in her womb, but to any role God wanted her to play in the plan of salvation. Thus, she allowed the Holy Spirit to conceive in her the whole Christ, Head and members. At the moment of the completion of His redeeming mission, Christ revealed the fullness of Mary’s maternal vocation to her, John and the world when Jesus said to her: ‘Woman, behold your son!’ (John 19:26). Blessed John Paul II reminds us that with these words Christ not only tells John that Mary is his mother, but also invites us to accept her as our mother. At this moment, Christ gives Mary to us as one to whom we may come in prayer, asking for her intercession and guidance. She is also offered to us a model so that we may imitate her willingness to accept the Lord’s plan not only for herself, but also for her Son.
While most mothers desire that the Lord’s will be accomplished in their child’s life, the truth is that unifying one’s desires with God’s on a daily basis can be a challenge. The moment a woman knows she is pregnant, she starts dreaming of her child’s future — anticipating the laugh of an infant or the first steps of a toddler. As the child grows, the mother’s dreams grow as well, and she prays that the child entrusted to her will have a joyful, healthy and successful life, a stable job and children of his or her own.
As a mother, Mary would have desired a pain-free and peaceful life for Jesus. Yet, how must she have felt when she heard the words of Simeon, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35). Yet as fearful as these words were, Mary knew them to be the revelation of God’s will for her Son and accepted them wholeheartedly. Embracing God’s will for her child was not easy — He would be ridiculed, falsely accused, beaten and crucified. We know that for most mothers, and especially for Mary, wounds inflicted on a child are far more painful than any wounds directly received. What mother could endure such pain unless she had the grace to recognize and accept the Lord’s ways for her child? Mary knew by faith at the foot of the Cross that God willed it, and repeated her fiat with increased love and surrender. Amazingly, she not only accepted what was happening but joined with her Son in willing the Passion.
The path God has chosen for a child may be very different than the dreams of a mother, yet it is a path that will always bring true fulfillment. It is a powerful and beautiful prayer when a mother asks God for the grace to conform completely and joyfully her will for her children with His will for them. A mother of an only child realizes that she will never have grandchildren if her son says “yes” to God’s call to be a priest. Yet, this becomes an opportunity for the mother not only to support his vocation to the priesthood, but also to see each child he baptizes as her spiritual grandchild. What a beautiful witness of being open to God’s plan!
There are other times, as well, where God’s plan for a woman’s motherhood is different than what is anticipated. It is with a grateful heart that I think of the many mothers and fathers who have welcomed children into their homes and their hearts through the gift of adoption. In other households, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and even neighbors may be called to nurture the children in their lives. Certainly many religious sisters, teachers and other lay women educate and support young people in our community. Yes, the Lord calls women in a variety of ways to imitate Our Lady in her selfless devotion, asking that God’s will be accomplished in the life of her Son.
This Mother’s Day, let us thank Our Lord for the gift of our mothers, including all natural mothers, adoptive mothers and spiritual mothers. Let us pray always for them, particularly by asking for Our Lady’s intercession in the Rosary. May God’s will be done in their lives and in the lives of their children as they seek to live out the vocation to which He has called them.
Amen!
Wishing all the moms and moms-to-be, a joyous, relaxed and happy day!
Mary, the Queen Mother, Mother of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Christ gave her to us from the Cross.
This Religion Forum thread is labeled “Catholic Caucus” meaning if you are not currently, actively Catholic then do not post on this thread.
I was working on Friday to set up the used book/movie/video game booth at the kids’ Catholic school spring festival. A woman who barely spoke English brought in a bunch of prints and some framed pictures for us to sell in the booth. I gladly accepted them, and discovered the picture in your post in a large 12x16 size print. I was ecstatic and bought it immediately. It’s one of my favorite pictures of the Blessed Mother. Given that we’re less than 3 weeks from moving 800+ miles, I had had an accident w/my four kids in the car that morning, and had just had a generally bad day, it was something that just made me incredibly happy.
Happy Mother’s Day to all FR moms, and to our Blessed Mother, for whom I was named.
Hope you are OK and that none of the children were hurt in that accident.
Yes, we are all okay. I hit a large gravel truck! I thought he was turning left and he turned right and I smashed up from the rearview mirror to the headlight. My headlight is gone, my tire was flattened, and I can’t open my door all the way to get in and out. We were just a few blocks from school, and fortunately a kind mother of one of my daughter’s friends came along after it happened and got them to school. I go to see the claims people tomorrow morning and will probably get a rental.
I’ve been by myself w/the kids since November, and we’ve had a broken arm, strep, and an abcessed tonsil in that time, and now this. My husband will be here in less than two weeks, thank goodness! Our oldest graduates from the Catholic elementary school on the 25th.
Okay, back to the original thread....LOL.
Wonderful May Crowning this morning after Mass with children who received their First Holy Communion yesterday participating. It was so touching for every mother. I was hoping our Blessed Mother was looking down smiling. :)
Thank you for sharing that story. Like you, I too maintain a religious articles booth at our parish.
Bouguereau's 'A Soul Brought to Heaven'
The artist is William Adolphe Bouguereau. He was often celebrated for his erotic art. Bouguereau died in 1905 "When the grand old man felt his last hour had come, he gathered his family around him, dictated his last will and testament, and spoke to them. Then he said, "Tell the priest to come now." To the priest he said:
"I'm going to meet my God. What shall I tell him? That I have sinned? Yes, and throughout a long life. What shall he answer?" "That he has forgiven you," replied the minister of God, "for by the tears in your eyes, I can see you have repented." "Then give your absolution to the prodigal son who has returned so late but comes back sincerely to his God. Mark on my body the sign of divine forgiveness." And proffering his trembling hands to the holy oil, he said: "I repent for the sins these hands have committed, for the world and its vanities." The priest anointed him with the holy oil, and the dying man cried out in a trembling voice, "Amen." He repeated the word as his feet were anointed, asking forgiveness for all the wrong steps they had taken, even on the path to glory. He repeated the word again, closing the eyes that had so often known visions of genius and that also had to be forgiven for looking upon sinful things. "Amen!" he cried, "Amen!"
A diaper, please!
A good and blessed Mother’d Day to the Catholic FRper Mothers!:)=^..^=
L remember weeks, months, etc. like that. Not fun — especially with my five kids.
You really have been through the mill though, broken bones, sickness, now a wrecked car. Thank goodness you are all OK.
Prayers for a calmer two weeks!
I love my mother.
What is the name of that picture? I want to make my own xmas cards this year and I want to use that for the front, but I don’t know about it.
The artist is William-Adolphe Bouguereau. The above image is cropped from the original.
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Another one of his popular renditions of the Madonna is this one.
And, especially this one.
Bouguereau was quite a controversial figure, with a wide range of art. See my post #8 for the story of his repentance on his deathbed. You can visit an online gallery of his art here.
Thanks. Wow!
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