A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. // Revelation 12:1
Sometimes motherhood is a lovingly gathered bouquet of flowers plucked too close to the stem.
Sometimes it’s holding a raspy toddler upright in a steamy bathroom to better help him breathe.
At times, it’s being the recipient of a shy wave from across the room when they see you’ve arrived. Or being a trusted ear when adolescent woes begin.
Sometimes it’s channeling mama-bear rage into advocating effectively for your child.
Or it’s modeling virtue by practice or by admitting lack thereof.
It may start as being the one who fulfills everything a babe might want or need. And grow into standing still while encouraging them forward into greater independence to become who they were meant to be.
But each of these is just a glance into the fierce love every mother is capable of.
Today we honor Mary in her appearance at Guadalupe to a native man, Juan Diego. By all accounts, he was ordinary and not outstanding. But Mary saw him differently and loved him as only a mother can.
Our readings today from Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a and Luke 1 depict different aspects of Our Heavenly Mama. On one hand, we have her courageous humility and profound trust in God’s plan in her fiat. And then in the reading from Revelation, Mary is crowned with stars and ready to do battle, her own mama-bear ferocity shining forth.
The more I am able to ponder my relationship to my sons and also appreciate my own mother, I am struck with the gift of Mary’s motherhood to each of us. She’s here, loving you with a fierce love, and ready to be who you need in this moment.
Take a moment today to ponder Mary’s words to Saint Juan Diego and consider how Mary has been and can be a mother to you also: “Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold?”
Mary has been and can be a mother to you. // Sarah OrtizClick to tweet
Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother to five boys while living in a 200-year-old farmhouse in Western New York. When not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, keeping the family library, or snagging amazing antique furniture deals. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire. Find out more about her here.
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