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You and I may have to struggle to see through this glass darkly for now, but we can learn from Mary how to keep one eye on eternity.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - December 8th has been on my mind for many weeks now. I don’t think this feast day has ever been on my radar screen so intensely before, but this year I am joyfully anticipating Mary’s special day. Perhaps the greatest blessing of my Christian life in recent years is the ever-deepening devotion to the Blessed Mother that I am experiencing. It is really an amazing gift.
While thinking one day about Mary, the Immaculate Conception, I heard from a dear friend of mine that she had just lost her mother. Joanne is a faith-filled woman and she knows that her mother is with the Lord, yet I know she is hurting terribly. I cannot imagine her pain. I don’t even want to think about the day I might have to bury my parents. I’m not ready to lose them and I never, ever will be. I’m certain Joanne feels the same.
Yet I know that days of grief, sadness, loss and loneliness are inevitable. They will come for all of us in one way or another. We won’t escape this life without pain; sometimes terrible, unspeakable pain. This is a subject of great consternation with me and one I go round and round with God over. I often have trouble finding mercy and grace in the midst of horrible suffering, and I can’t stand the empty platitudes and greeting card remedies because they just don’t cut it.
I ask, “Why?” I ask, “How could You allow this?” I ask, “Where are You?” I ask, “Where were You?” I don’t think I’ve ever gotten an answer that really satisfies. I’m simply drawn back again and again to the scenes of that terrible Friday we call “Good” to dwell on the agony of Jesus – and the anguish of His Mother. And I wonder – how did she do it? How did she remain perfectly, completely faithful, trusting and obedient?
She must’ve had a participation in the eternal vision. From the moment Gabriel said “Hail” til the moment Jesus ascended to heaven, Mary somehow saw what her own physical eyes alone could never have revealed to her. With no sin to cloud her view, her spirit saw God in everything, in all times and places and events.
Somehow amidst all the evil that day in Jerusalem, evil so thick and tangible she could probably taste it, she never wavered. Did her obedience serve to keep her faith suspended above the turmoil, separate from the anguish in her heart, protected from despair? I wonder… did the curtain become transparent for her? Was it as though the bloody scene she was witnessing was painted on a window, and she was able to look through it and see the purpose? Jesus went like a lamb to the slaughter and Mary quietly walked beside, the willing companion to His sufferings.
Were Simeon’s words from long ago suddenly coming back to her like a thunderbolt? “A sword shall pierce your own soul, too.” After a lifetime spent treasuring these things in her heart, pondering what they meant, was it all becoming clear to her? “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Here finally is what her obedience has reaped. This is what her faith has helped secure. As Jesus paid our ransom with His blood, she joined her tears of humble assent. The sweetest of all women, most pure and mild, showed the fortitude of the strongest steel because she’d so lovingly and freely offered her will entirely to the Father’s. Again, she found herself saying, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word.”
This is how it’s meant to be for each of us. Strength to withstand our trials comes from uttering a humble, “Thy will be done.” By opening our hands to accept even the bitterest tokens of grace, we are given the peace the world cannot give and the power to remain faithful.
It means learning to see with spiritual eyes; seeing our lives, our pains, our losses, our tragedies with an eternal perspective. Everything here is fleeting. All trials, all troubles, all heartaches, sacrifices, grief and burden here are but a moment in the light of eternity. Though it feels so permanent and never-ending, it will not last forever. The trouble is, that doesn’t seem to lessen our grief and it doesn’t make it easier to accept the horrible things that happen that should never happen.
We rightly recoil from such pain and horror. Our instinct is to run and kick and scream and rage, not to bow our heads and open our hands to receive God’s severe will. This is why it is the most priceless gift to have our Lord’s own Mother as our helper and refuge. She knows what it means to be pierced by a sword in her very soul. She has endured the very worst pain hell can dish out.
Yet she did not resist or refuse, but gave herself over completely to God’s purposes. We are the beneficiaries of her faith and love and surrender. Her obedience then was part of God’s plan of salvation for all of us; her unmatched example of humility and faith is the standard we strive for; her Motherly love and care now is our sweet comfort. We do not endure alone; she has done it before us and walks beside us now in our need.
You and I may have to struggle to see through this glass darkly for now, but we can learn from Mary how to keep one eye on eternity. Weeping may endure for this very long night, but joy comes in the morning! Mary shows us how to see eternity through the now, and how to triumph over evil – “Do whatever He tells you.”
Thank you, gracious Mother, Immaculate Conception! Give us your faith filled and eternal vision!
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Jennifer Hartline is a Catholic Army wife and stay-at-home mother of three precious kids who writes frequently on topics of Catholic faith and daily living. She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online.
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This was so beautiful. I realy felt peaceful as i read it, I have some doubts about the faith, but there are so many beautiful, Catholics i have met since i have been trying to understand the faith. I love all of them so much God Bless Jennifer Hertline, and all Gods people I love so much, In Jesus name Amen!
Your insight is so beautifully put. Let us not forget to pray for your friend's mother for as it may ease your friend's pain to think her mom is in heaven it will ease her mother's time in purgatory(if indeed she has need of a pit stop) if we pray and do sacrifices for her to quicken her journey to heaven.
Thank you Jen. May God continue to strenghten you as you respond to His Call. This article has redefined suffering for me and encouraged me beyond words. Mother Mary, Most Blessed of Women, Grant us your faith and strength.
A very well-written, heartfelt article devoted to Our Beloved Mother Mary, thank you Mrs. Jennifer Hartline! You, your dedicated military husband, and family are in our prayers. Dr. Mac (Disable American Veteran) Lay Brother Medical Missionaries of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.M.M.I) http://www.medmissions-mi.com/
Jennifer Hartline, You thoughts about our Blessed Virgin Mary is the most reflective thoughts of mine for he year. I thank Her (BVM) for she has been behind all I am today. We all should not cease to call on her as she is waiting. Good luck and I pray for your family Victormary
Jennifer, wonderful, wonderful article! You so eloquently put into words the deep faith and love that Mary must have had and that we all try to emulate. Thank you.
Thank you Jennifer, The feast Day of the immaculate Conception is always special to me as well as my mother pinned the Immaculate Medal on each of my sons when they were born and I too was a young mother my mother has a wonderful devotion to Our Blessed Mother and has passed it on to me - my darling mother is in a nursing home now please pray that her good health will continue and for myself and all my mother's family members that they will also see the beauty - care in Our Loving God and His Mother
How right you are, Jennifer! I have an older sister born on this day. My parents named her Maria Concepcion, in honor of the Mother. Happy birtday sis! Thanks, for a beautiful article. God Bless!
I lost my mother two years ago. It is a terrible grief, one that I am unable to warn my friends about. I tell them, love your mother now, you don't know how much time you have. But still they delay visits, procrastinate phone calls, etc. My mother was the one who introduced me to my faith. Whenever I think of the Blessed Mother, I also think of my mother. What a rich and lasting gift my mother gave me.
Thank you Mrs. Hartline for your sharing of The Blessed Mary Immaculate. I praise God and ask Mother Mary to always guide us all in our world today to intercede and show us her gentle ways and humble love she had for Jesus as we meditate on the mysteries through the rosary. Happy FEAST Day of Immaculate Mary ! Our Queen in Heaven pray for us!
Thank you for sharing your gift of writing with others. I love this article, as we all need a constant reminder to look to God and remember his will be done, not ours. Mary is an amazing woman.
I always say to my self that the BLESSED VIRGIN MOTHER is the ONLY, and i repeat the ONLY MOTHER that we have who hears us whenever we call on her, in what ever situations that we may found our selfs in. For some weeks now, i have been praying to the BLESSED MOTHER for my friend called Happy, who was to give birth to her baby girl some days ago. I have been telling our BLESSED MOTHER, that you are BLESSED among all women, therefore, please be all to assist my friend Happy to deliver her baby in safe and sound for the GLORIFICATION of the name of your SON our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Could you believe that just today, the day of her IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, that my friend Happy has given birth to her beautiful baby girl. To me, our BLESSED MOTHER has given this date of birth (8/12) the day of HER IMMACULATE CONCEPTION as a wounderful gift from HEAVEN for the baby, and as a sign that SHE heard me when i called on her as my MOTHER. AM PROUD TO BE A CATHOLIC, AND TO ALL, I SAY THAT, WE HAVE SUCH A WOUNDER MOTHER WHO IS ALWAYS READY TO HEAR US WHENEVER WE CALL ON HER.
god bless you and thank you for all you insight on the virgin mary.
thankyouu for sharing these great insights with us on our mother, Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception. She is a pillar in our lives and a great strength in weakness. Immaculate Conception, the power of your title is immense, protect me from all my enemies and dangers.Amen Amen
Thank you for this. My family is going through a very difficult time (as are many others in this world) and I find peace in knowing that the Blessed Mother is near and hears my cries. Thank you, Holy Mother for standing by me and my family during these trials.
Beautiful, thank you and God bless!
Very appropriate for these times and beautifully written. Thank you.
Thank you! My birthday is the 8th, and my Blessed Mother has always been especially close to me on this day! She often reminds me that much has been given to me, so much is required. May we all emulate her humility and embrace whatever God asks of us as she always has. Peace be with you!
I feel you were talking right to me. I needed to hear this tonight. Thank You and God Bless you and your family.
We cannot love Jesus if we put aside His Mother.His sufferings are one with Hers also.Bringing Her into your life will automatically lead you to HIM.Thank you for your profound sharing.
Good day to all, I am not a Roman Catholic, and I just wonder how the author states that Mary had no sin to cloud her view, but why in her magnificat did she call God her "Savior?" What type of person needs a "Savior?" Merry Christmas, my Catholic friends!
Dear Justin - brother in Christ - the Archangel Gabriel addressed Mary " Hail full of Grace " so unless you want to argue with an angel there was nothing ( being full ) else in her. Definition - SAVIOR - rescuer, deliverer, helper in need amongst other meanings - God delivered her from His enemy by his grace keeping her free from sin. Don`t be too concerned about not being a Catholic God`s grace can be efficacious for you too - all you have to do is pray. Love & peace in Christ. From Our Lady`s Land of the Southern Cross.
Once again, Jennifer, you express the most profound thoughts in the simplest language. Our Lady was anchored in the will of Our Heavenly Father.