A Mother’s Sorrow for Her Son (Part 1 of 2)

When my husband died 29 years ago, I remembered vividly what my loving, mother-in-law muttered: “Unta una lang ako namatay sangsa iya”. This statement is repeated by many other mothers. I surmised this is due to that universal feeling of love which only the mothers feel for their children who are flesh of their flesh and blood of their blood. For nine months the unborn child is carried inside the womb of the mother, one with her, and eventually delivered with the greatest excruciating pain welcomed by the family with excitement, love, joy and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Mother Mary is our model of motherhood and one who, without doubt, experienced the joy, the reward and also the challenges of raising up a child, just like all mothers. However, her being the mother of God, makes her singularly different from all others!

At the Annunciation, she was told of the good news that she will conceive a child not of a human father but through the Holy Spirit. She was troubled but later on, she accepted it with “Be it done unto me according to His word.” The mystery started. Only her faith cleared the cloud of uncertainty brought about by the mystery.

Then came the great event of the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger. Pain, yes. Then shepherds came, with the angels singing, and told Joseph and Mary about the birth of the Savior, her Son. “Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them.” (Luke 2, 19)

During the ceremony of purification, Simeon in the temple said that the child, Jesus is “a light to reveal your will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2, 32). Similar thoughts were said by Prophet Anna. What thoughts must have crossed Mary’s mind pondering on what were just said.

When Joseph and Mary went to Egypt to avoid the execution of male infants, what hardships and danger they suffered during the long journey especially because Mary knew somehow her child could be the target of the persecution.

Then came the journey to Jerusalem for the Passover. He was lost. For three days and night, Joseph and Mary kept on asking hundreds of people if they have seen Jesus. A hundred repetition. A hundred different kinds of responses. Fear, yes. Anxiety, yes. Exhaustion, yes. Until they saw Him doing the will of His Father. (Ma. Iris Melliza)