How Jesus's Mother Can Inspire People of All Faiths
Rev. Edward Looney
For Catholics, the month of May marks a special time for devotion to Mary as it is called Mary’s Month. Believers from other traditions don’t honor Mary in the same way as Catholics and might not agree with Marian prayer. I believe, regardless of religious affiliation, Mary can inspire any believer because of her special relationship to Jesus. For our inspiration, we turn to the pages of the gospels where we meet the mother of Jesus.
She teaches us to say yes. Mary receives the visit of the Archangel Gabriel who announces that she will give birth to Jesus. Before the angel departs, she says, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” She gave a yes that changed the course of history. Like her, we can strive to say yes to God’s calling our life.
She demonstrates charity. The angel also told Mary that an aged, infertile woman, was miraculously with child. As she heard about the needs of her relative, she sets out in haste to visit and assist the woman. Mary can inspire all believers to offer help to someone who is need.
She models the prayer of thanksgiving. After receiving Elizabeth’s greeting, Mary spoke a prayer to God. She said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Mary reminds all believers to praise and thank God for the blessings they have received.
She served Jesus. From the moment Jesus was born and laid in the manger, to his years in the home at Nazareth, Mary tended to the needs of Jesus. As an infant, she nursed him. She helped him when he was in need. She offered him motherly advice. Her example encourages us to find moments when we can serve Jesus in our life. Sometimes, it might be in the distressing disguise of the poor.
She was aware of people’s needs. There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee and Mary, Jesus, and his disciples were there. She notices that the wine is running short, so she brings it to the attention of Jesus. Just as she was attentive to the needs of others, she gives an example of what it means to be aware of and see the needs of our neighbors. Most especially, when we notice the need, we can lift that person up to God in prayer.
She understood what it meant to mourn. With no mention of St. Joseph after the finding of Jesus in the temple, it is presumed he died before Jesus’s public ministry. Then she stood beneath the cross of Jesus, watching her son die. She knew grief and sorrow. When we mourn, we can remember her sorrow, and her confident hope that Jesus would rise from the dead.
Mary isn’t just a statue that Catholics have in their churches, homes, or yards. She was a woman of faith, whose example can inspire us, just like others we admire from history. Whether you are Catholic or not, today, pause and consider, “How does Jesus’s mother help me be a better disciple of Jesus.”
Rev. Edward Looney pastors the Catholic communities of Brussels and Lincoln/Rosiere. He is the author of A Heart Like Mary’s: 31 Daily Meditations.
For Catholics, the month of May marks a special time for devotion to Mary as it is called Mary’s Month. Believers from other traditions don’t honor Mary in the same way as Catholics and might not agree with Marian prayer. I believe, regardless of religious affiliation, Mary can inspire any believer because of her special relationship to Jesus. For our inspiration, we turn to the pages of the gospels where we meet the mother of Jesus.
She teaches us to say yes. Mary receives the visit of the Archangel Gabriel who announces that she will give birth to Jesus. Before the angel departs, she says, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” She gave a yes that changed the course of history. Like her, we can strive to say yes to God’s calling our life.
She demonstrates charity. The angel also told Mary that an aged, infertile woman, was miraculously with child. As she heard about the needs of her relative, she sets out in haste to visit and assist the woman. Mary can inspire all believers to offer help to someone who is need.
She models the prayer of thanksgiving. After receiving Elizabeth’s greeting, Mary spoke a prayer to God. She said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Mary reminds all believers to praise and thank God for the blessings they have received.
She served Jesus. From the moment Jesus was born and laid in the manger, to his years in the home at Nazareth, Mary tended to the needs of Jesus. As an infant, she nursed him. She helped him when he was in need. She offered him motherly advice. Her example encourages us to find moments when we can serve Jesus in our life. Sometimes, it might be in the distressing disguise of the poor.
She was aware of people’s needs. There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee and Mary, Jesus, and his disciples were there. She notices that the wine is running short, so she brings it to the attention of Jesus. Just as she was attentive to the needs of others, she gives an example of what it means to be aware of and see the needs of our neighbors. Most especially, when we notice the need, we can lift that person up to God in prayer.
She understood what it meant to mourn. With no mention of St. Joseph after the finding of Jesus in the temple, it is presumed he died before Jesus’s public ministry. Then she stood beneath the cross of Jesus, watching her son die. She knew grief and sorrow. When we mourn, we can remember her sorrow, and her confident hope that Jesus would rise from the dead.
Mary isn’t just a statue that Catholics have in their churches, homes, or yards. She was a woman of faith, whose example can inspire us, just like others we admire from history. Whether you are Catholic or not, today, pause and consider, “How does Jesus’s mother help me be a better disciple of Jesus.”
Rev. Edward Looney pastors the Catholic communities of Brussels and Lincoln/Rosiere. He is the author of A Heart Like Mary’s: 31 Daily Meditations.
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