Just as Christ shared with us our human condition – like us in all
things but sin – so do we tend to see Mary in the same light. The
ancient title “Woman of Faith” has new meaning for us today.
For we see that Mary’s spiritual journey had much in common with our own. The Gospels portray her as someone who travelled a road that was often hard and shrouded in obscurity. The “Sword of sorrow” foretold by Simeon (Lk 2,35) did not pierce her heart only on Calvary. By associating herself so closely with the Saviour, she too suffered all the contradictions that he was bound to cause.
She did not always understand what was happening. She had to ponder the events of her life to see God’s hand in the darkness (Lk 2.19,51). At times she misunderstood and had to be challenged by her Son, as when she reproached him for staying behind in Jerusalem (Lk 2.41-50), and when she pointed out to him the lack of wine at the Cana festivities (Jn 2.1-10).
She had to separate herself from the love of her life, Jesus, when he set out on his public ministry, leaving her home alone in Nazareth, and again most cruelly when on the cross he gave her over to become the mother of someone else (Jn 19.25-27).
But despite the darkness, the doubt and the not-knowing, Mary never wavered in her commitment to God. “Let it be done to me according to your word” may have been said only once (Lk 1.38), but it summed up her attitude at the Annunciation and right throughout her life. She was completely at the disposal of God, and if at times she could not see the fullness of his plan for her, that did not cause her ever to withdraw her consent or hedge her commitment with reservations or qualifications. ‘There were no “ifs” or “buts” with Mary. Her faith was wholehearted and strong. She did not turn back or seek an easier path, even on Calvary when all seemed dark and her hopes dashed.
http://www.faithcentral.co.nz/classroom/year-13/13e-mary-mother-of-god/mary-woman-of-faith
For we see that Mary’s spiritual journey had much in common with our own. The Gospels portray her as someone who travelled a road that was often hard and shrouded in obscurity. The “Sword of sorrow” foretold by Simeon (Lk 2,35) did not pierce her heart only on Calvary. By associating herself so closely with the Saviour, she too suffered all the contradictions that he was bound to cause.
She did not always understand what was happening. She had to ponder the events of her life to see God’s hand in the darkness (Lk 2.19,51). At times she misunderstood and had to be challenged by her Son, as when she reproached him for staying behind in Jerusalem (Lk 2.41-50), and when she pointed out to him the lack of wine at the Cana festivities (Jn 2.1-10).
She had to separate herself from the love of her life, Jesus, when he set out on his public ministry, leaving her home alone in Nazareth, and again most cruelly when on the cross he gave her over to become the mother of someone else (Jn 19.25-27).
But despite the darkness, the doubt and the not-knowing, Mary never wavered in her commitment to God. “Let it be done to me according to your word” may have been said only once (Lk 1.38), but it summed up her attitude at the Annunciation and right throughout her life. She was completely at the disposal of God, and if at times she could not see the fullness of his plan for her, that did not cause her ever to withdraw her consent or hedge her commitment with reservations or qualifications. ‘There were no “ifs” or “buts” with Mary. Her faith was wholehearted and strong. She did not turn back or seek an easier path, even on Calvary when all seemed dark and her hopes dashed.
http://www.faithcentral.co.nz/classroom/year-13/13e-mary-mother-of-god/mary-woman-of-faith
