I didn’t grow up Catholic, and so I’ve gotten to know Mary gradually over the years. For a long time, I kept my distance because I could not have children. I thought, What does the eternal, ultimate mother have to do with my life? How could she possibly know how I feel or what my personal struggle is like?
For those of us who grew up with calm, submissive images of Jesus’ mother, the idea of Mary was not necessarily attractive. After all, we’ve spent centuries trying to break free of the submissive, passive model of womanhood. We want female role models who are strong and who speak up for themselves!
But if we consider Mary for her courage, the image shifts. She was willing to be, for all practical purposes, an unwed mother in a culture that had zero toleration for that situation. She was willing to approach Joseph, the man who now had power over her life, and tell him a tale that no reasonable person would believe. She was willing to say yes to God, when God had given her a mere summary of her life but no real instructions for how to go about it.
For the next day or two, imagine the angel Gabriel visiting you in the wee hours and telling you about your life. What do you think the great angel will say to you? What has the angel already said? And what will you do with it?
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Loved this blog…when I was in the 8th grade in 1973, my friend gave me a book as a Christmas gift, Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. It was the start of my realization that the Bible happened to real people in my real world many years ago. I have given it as a gift numerous times over the years.
Yes, Mary was an unwed mother with all of the tensions this brings, but God used her to bring victorious salvation and mercy to all of us. She had to tell her “boyfriend” that she was pregnant and not by him…Her parents were ashamed and sent her away to her aunt’s house…but she returned with an inner peace knowing that eventually everyone would understand, an inner peace given to her to endure her human life intertwined with a divine life…
God sends Gabriel to each of us in different ways…do we say “YES!”? and when we do, do we lean on our faith and trust in God to allow us to endure our humanity?
That book was important to me, too! Mary became very real to me while reading it.
My immediate t hought was that it would be hard to hear him from my hiding place under the bed. Or possibly in the next county. A figure appearing in the wee hours is a bit unusual. However it is assuring to know that Mary didn’t have any more insight into the whys and wherefores than we do: If she didn’t then why would we expect to!
I just love this conversation. I wasn’t raised Catholic, either–and it was only in the past year that I was even introduced to the saints. (What a treat that has been: surprise Christmases throughout the year.) Still, I’m intimidated by Mary.
But you all have given me an “in.” I love the zeroing in of her inner peace given the task at hand. It provides an “entry” into the human experience that makes it personal. What an act of faithful surrendering. Much to learn here … thank you!
I’ve shared similar struggles with understanding Mary and her role in my faith. But coming to know and pray the Magnificat as a prayer of social justice and of strong female faith has helped me to see another side of Mary: her strength, her courage and her deep wisdom. Thank you for sharing this reflection.