By Dr Jeanette Pinto –
Mother’s Day is celebrated to honour the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the impactful influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated most commonly in the months of March or May. In the US it is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of May, and the UK’s Mothering Sunday is on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Worldwide many countries also celebrate Mother’s Day for every mother is a ‘super mom’. They are nurturers, caregivers, teachers, cooks, healers, counsellors and a long list of attributes all wrapped in one. The very best world famous mother is the mother of our lord Jesus Christ, Mary; surely the Mother of all Mothers.
Look at any of her pictures or icons, she portrays the traits of sweetness, exuding love, holiness, strength, humility and most of all she reflects her motherly instinct. Outstanding and meaningful is the picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. It is a Roman Catholic title; the Blessed Virgin of ancient origin is represented in a celebrated 15th century Byzantine icon also associated with the same Marian apparition. It was first venerated in the island of Crete near Greece from whence it was carried to Italy and placed in the Church of St. Mathew the Apostle in Rome between the Basilicas of Mary Major and St. John Lateran then in charge of the Augustinian Brothers.
One may consider Mary’s role in the Bible as depicted to be the Mother of all mothers. Her kindly expression, her piety and devotion to her son in raising him to be a perfect man, is the ultimate every mother would want to achieve. She was just a simple woman, not one who had great wealth or stature in Jewish society, but she was special and hand-chosen by God.
Mary’s struggles in life were commonplace. Which woman today would believe an angel informing her that she would miraculously give birth to a saviour? Mary merely listened and accepted what the angel told her. She was pro-life and believed that God had a plan for her life. How many people believe that God has a plan for our life? Again can any woman imagine giving birth to her baby under the circumstances that Mary did? In a stable! Amidst dung and dirt! Without proper assistance! It seems highly impossible! However it merely indicates Mary’s faith that ‘God will provide’.
Mary also exemplified her strength when Joseph received a warning in a dream foretelling him that Herod wanted Jesus dead. One would poof poof this as fanciful imagination. It was an incredible feat bundling an infant, sitting on a donkey and trudging for miles the rugged terrain from Bethlehem to Egypt. This would need courage, grit and determination. Can any mother imagine the plight of that flight? But Mary merely trusted God and fulfilled His command. This would appear most unusual and illogical for a woman of today.
One of Mary’s greatest and most valuable strength was her perseverance. Life was not a smooth run for her, the obstacles seemed innumerable. Scarcely was Jesus in his preteens when he gets lost in the temple. How worried, anxious and stressed Mary must have been. Then to be told by the boy child Jesus that he was about his Father’s business. What modern mother would not snub, ‘shut up’ or even slap her child accusing him of arrogance, but not Mary.
Consider what Mary’s feelings were when Jesus was whipped, mocked, beaten and ridiculed? Which mother witnessing this would not have reacted, screamed and yelled pleading help to save him? Not Mary! Tears flowed down her cheeks and her silent heart cringed and pained every time she heard the sound of the whip and the hammer driving the nails into her son’s hands. Surely she would have choked with pain to see the horrific tortured body of her dear son hanging from the cross. How unbearable the experiences of seeing her son painfully die. Despite all this she did not fall apart. What a woman of tremendous faith!
Modern day mothers should really imbibe these character traits of Mary. She demonstrates holiness, piety and humility. Agreed we live in a different world and time capsule, but some things never change, she was as human as we are. Mary is truly one of the most influential women in the Bible, the ultimate role model for women; truly an excellent mother. Just admiring her is not enough, but we must learn from her.
Mary gave of herself completely to her son Jesus, who in return gifted His dear mother to be the mother of all humanity. She is addressed by all who know her as ‘the refuge and hope of sinners’. She is thanked for her maternal protection and for the innumerable blessings received by her wondrous mercy and love. She is a powerful intercessor, ‘To Jesus through Mary’. She comforts, eases distress, minister’s relief, to all who ask for her help. She gives constant and perpetual help to all who ask her for it.
Mary’s glory lies not only in her being Mother of God and Queen of Heaven, but she is also a key figure in the history of Redemption. Over the past few centuries Mary has received innumerable appellations. It is her simplicity and inexplicable empathy that draws millions of people of all faiths the world over, to throng her shrines especially on feast days making offerings of flowers, money, silver and gold. It does not matter whatever caste, creed, community, country, rich, poor, educated and illiterate, she is Mother and fountain of Perpetual Help, hence rightly to be known as the Mother of all Mothers.
Dr. Jeanette is former Principal of Sophia College, member of the Human Life Committee and a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chembur – Mumbai