In the same way as the woman who bore you
is called your mother and not the mother of your
body only, Mary is the mother of the whole
person of Jesus Christ, who is God Colossians
2:9).
Therefore, because the holy virgin bore
in the flesh God who was united hypostatically
with the flesh, for that reason we call
her mother of God, not as though the nature of
the Word had the beginning of its existence from
the flesh (for "the Word was in the beginning
and the Word was God and the Word was with God",
and he made the ages and is coeternal with the
Father and craftsman of all things), but
because, as we have said, he united to himself
hypostatically the human and underwent a birth
according to the flesh from her womb.
Text: Luke 1: 26-38
And the angel said unto her, Fear not,
Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb,
and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name
JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be
called the Son of the Highest. -
Luke 1:30-32
Being a mother is something very
special. It is an awesome responsibility. Any
child is a gift from God and the rearing of
children is one of the most important things a
parent has to do. Today is a day when we thank
God for what our mothers do and have done to
rear us in a fashion that honors God.
The love and caring of a mother starts
before we are even born. With Mary it started
with a humble obedience to the will of God. When
she learned of her role in bringing Jesus into
the world, she replied to the angel,
Behold the handmaid of the
Lord; be it unto me according to thy word
(Luke
1:38).
As frightened as she must have been from
seeing an angel, she answered God's call to
duty. She cared for her yet unborn child when
she visited her cousin Elizabeth. Even while she
was pregnant, she helped her cousin in the last
few months before Elizabeth gave birth to John
the Baptist (Luke 1:39-56). Mary followed the
customs of worship when she brought Jesus to be
circumcised according to the law (Luke 2:21). She made worship a
priority in her life even while Jesus was an
infant.
Mary protected the baby
Jesus from harm by fleeing to Egypt when an
angel warned Joseph that King Herod would
try to destroy him (Matthew 2:12-14). She took
Jesus to the feast of Passover where he stayed
in the temple when he was twelve years old
(Luke 2:41-50). It was important for her
to take her child to the temple, just as your
mother today brings you to church. She attended
the wedding in Cana and encouraged her son to
perform his first miracle. Mothers encourage us
to be our best. She was always concerned for his
safety. One time when he had so many people
following him they couldn't even enter the house
it was so full, and she wanted to be sure he was
alright (Mark 3:21,31-35). Mothers will
naturally be concerned for our safety.
Mary followed Jesus to the cross and
watched in horror as they crucified the Lord of
Life. She loved her son and must have cried as
he entrusted her care to John from the cross
(John 19:25-27).She visited
the tomb on Easter morning and her grief turned
to joy when she saw the empty grave! A mother is
devoted and sticks by her children through good
times and bad times. What a wonderful example we
have of motherhood when we consider the life of
Mary, the mother of Jesus. Be sure to thank God
for your mother today and tell her how much you
love her.
Lk 1:46-55 "And Mary said:
My soul does magnify the Lord. And my spirit has
rejoiced in God my Savior. Because he has
regarded the humility of his handmaid: for
behold from henceforth all generations shall
call me blessed. Because he that is mighty has
done great things to me: and holy is his name.
And his mercy is from generation unto
generations, to them that fear him. He has
showed might in his arm: he has scattered the
proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put
down the mighty from their seat and has exalted
the humble. He has filled the hungry with good
things: and the rich he has sent empty away. He
has received Israel his servant, being mindful
of his mercy. As he spoke to our fathers: to
Abraham and to his seed for
ever.
Summary: Mary is a role model for mothers
who are women of
God.
