Since we just celebrated the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary yesterday, I thought that this would be an appropriate post.
While I was on retreat this past September, I had the opportunity to read a book that I had borrowed from my son that he had to read as part of his master’s degree classes. The book was “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary – Unveiling the Mother of the Messiah” by Brant Pitre. Honestly, I was completely captivated by the ancient Jewish scripture and traditions, along with the Old and New Testament references about Mary and how many of her ‘titles’ or ‘names’ came about. Some of this came as a refresher from when I was in deacon formation, but most was brand new learnings and revelations. The scriptural references were enlightening on how Mary became known as the new Eve, the new Ark of the Covenant, the new Queen, and other names.
I was also very moved when the author explained that the birth pangs that Mary experienced did not occur at the birth of Jesus, but at his execution and death. It was the pain and agony of watching her son endure that incredible suffering as he struggled to breathe while hanging on the cross, gasping and fighting for air. That was the sword that pierced Mary’s soul, as foretold by Simeon.
Then the author discusses the last words of Jesus and what this means for us. On the cross, Jesus says to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” According to biblical scholars, Jesus is not just speaking to his beloved disciple, but he is speaking to every disciple. Jesus is saying to all of us, “Behold your mother!” Mary is the mother of all the faithful, and we are to imitate the beloved disciple and invite Mary into our homes, and to enter into a personal relationship with Mary as our own spiritual mother.
My prayer is that all of us continue to welcome Mary into our homes and that we continually pray that she will intercede for us to her son. Let me conclude with the final words of the book:
“The same thing is true today. Mary, like Jesus himself, is not dead. She is very much alive in the heavenly kingdom. She already tastes the glory of the resurrection and the new creation. And she is beholding you; she is praying for you; she is loving you. Right now, she is waiting to see if you too will respond to Jesus’ last words and take her to be your own: “Behold your mother!”
