The Unseen Lessons of Mary

Have you been experiencing difficulties in your life lately? How do you cope with them?

We all go through life with several struggles and challenges. Most of the time we find ourselves in dire financial trouble, no security at work, the sickness or even death in the family or we find trouble with our relationships in the family or in the workplace.

So how do we cope with these tough trials when the moment comes to test our resolve?

In this month of May, I reflected on the life of our Blessed Mother Mary whose life’s have challenges with faith in God, won the battles of earthly life. We might as well learn from her through the different events of her life:

First, in the Annunciation of our Lord. Mary lost her own personal dream over the plan of God for her to be the mother of Jesus. She humbly accepted the angel Gabriel’s call to become the Mother of the Savior. In Mary’s womb was brought to birth Jesus into our world, the merciful God, made flesh, incarnate and dwelt among us.

Faith in God (Jeremiah 29:11) – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Indeed, He will give us a glorious future.

Let us remember that through perseverance in trials, we find joy. Let’s cling to this verse that God will give us hope in the midst of it all. Mary had gone through the toughest journey in her life because she never faltered on her resolve that having strong faith in Him, she would overcome the pain, the trials, and now she is in a state of blissfulness.

Second, in the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. “And the angel left her.” Mary agrees to the mystery and now is on her own. What does Mary feel, this young woman about to be pregnant and now is on her own? Alone when the angel left Mary, nevertheless, instead of isolating herself in a room, she visited Elizabeth.

“Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord? (Luke 1: 41-43)

This encounter leads to an accompaniment of some three months with Elizabeth. Mary teaches us the spirituality of accompaniment, an awareness of the abiding presence of someone in our life. Accompaniment brings comfort, assurance that one is not alone and need not go through it alone.

Third, the Birth of Jesus (Nativity). As I reflected on the almost 145 km (90 miles) journey which Mary and Joseph embarked on with 8 plus month’s pregnancy (Luke 2:1-5), this would take 8 to 10 days to complete the journey. Considering now with the discomfort of Mary’s pregnancy, even if she would ride a donkey…imagine the discomfort, anxiety or uncertainty that she and Joseph must have endured. They do not have any idea that God was doing His greatest work behind the scenes of an oppressive situation. There was no indication that the Kingdom of God was in this very moment being established on earth.

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. For by it the people of old gained approval. By faith, we understand that the world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible (Hebrew 11:1-3)

The letter to the Hebrews assumes that there are things we are expecting, things we will be convicted about, and things about which we will obtain a good testimony. The pilgrimage of Mary with Jesus in her womb and Joseph puts our trust in God based on what we see, but with the intention of relying on Him in areas we cannot see. This must be the way that the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Joseph walk that road; by faith, not by sight.

Fourth, Mary carrying the Body of Jesus (Pieta). As the afternoon light dispelled the gloom of Golgotha, or Skull Place, Mary grieved for her Son. (John 19:17). Memories likely flooded her mind, probably a recollection of 33 years earlier when she and Joseph presented the precious baby Jesus at the temple of Jerusalem.

Simeon foretold great things for Jesus, but she added that one day, Mary would come to feel as if she were run through by a long sword. (Luke 2:25-35)

Only now, in this tragic hour, did she fully grasp the truth of those words. It has been said the death of one’s child is the worst, the most painful loss that a human can face. Death is a terrible enemy and it wounds all of us in one way or another.

We, too are tired and exhausted in the struggles of life, but looking back, the life of Mary has been spiritually enriching. We go to sleep and wake up with the realization that what we can see with our eyes is not the end of the story. We appreciate what we can see is not important as what is unseen. We understand that even when we cannot see it, we need to remember that God is always walking with us behind the journey of life. The challenge is from now onwards, we fix our eyes not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).

As we reflect on Mary’s life, we also recognize the importance of knowing her more deeply. Through events like the Archdiocesan Marian Exhibit, we have the opportunity to discover Mary’s different titles and roles on earth, deepening our connection to her and strengthening our devotion.

In times of difficulty, let us draw inspiration from Mary’s unwavering faith and trust in God’s plan. May her teachings guide us through life’s challenges, reminding us that, even in the midst of adversity, God is always with us, guiding us towards a brighter future. (S. Ma. Leah M. Zozobrado, RVM)