Walking with Mary

At the beginning of December we had an evening of Advent reflection with the Catholic Society. Catriona had copied some reflections from a book of spiritual exercises, and we each chose one to read and discuss. The reflection I chose focused on Mary, and since then I have tried to journey with her through Advent.

Thinking of Mary at this time is especially meaningful now that I am also a mother. Looking at my son, I can’t help but wonder what Mary must have thought as she gazed upon the face of God incarnate – God who had humbled himself to become not only a man, but her infant son. She must have known that his life would not be easy. She must have known that she would be called to give him up. I suppose all mothers are called to give up their children – giving birth is the beginning of letting go – but Mary preeminently so. Her son was hers, but he was also for the world.  Thinking of her, I am reminded once again that the vocation to motherhood is a call to pour oneself into others without holding on too tightly.

Reflecting on Mary’s role in the economy of salvation is also a powerful reminder of God’s immeasurable goodness, and of how he ardently desires to commune with us. How tender of God the Father to come as an infant in the arms of a woman. What more loving image than that of a babe in his mother’s arms? In coming to us through Mary, it seems that he wants to show us just how “with us” his is (Emmanuel, after all, is “God-with-us”) – he is one of us, beginning, as we do, in this state of utter dependence, that inspires in us so much affection.

Holding Liam in my arms this Christmas, I feel I am able to love my Saviour even more. He was a baby, like this little one I love so much. How precious he must have been… How his mother must have adored him… And how grateful I am that he came, as this tender babe, to change the world forever.