Mary, Woman of Faith

Last March 8 was International Women’s Day and the entire month of March is dedicated for women. The theme for International Women’s Day 2020 which was posted at unwomen.org is, I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights. The theme is aligned with UN Women’s new multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality, which marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, the Beijing Platform for Action is recognized as the most progressive roadmap for the empowerment that let us acknowledge the importance of women in our lives.

Our mothers for example being a woman is worth praising for their dedication and strength in raising us children and for being a supportive partner to their husbands. Kudos also to working moms, for juggling work and family life. You are all worth emulating. For all the independent ladies out there, continue to fight for your rights.

Let’s look into the life of one woman who is a good example to many in terms of faith, simplicity and following the will of God in her life. I’m talking about Mama Mary who was chosen by God to be the earthly mother of Jesus. She was an epitome of a lady. A blessed servant of the Lord.

When Angel Gabriel came to her to announce the would-be birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38), though troubled, Mama Mary humbly agreed to be part of God’s plan.

She was a good neighbor to her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant then with St. John the Baptist. She visited her and stayed with her for three months (Luke 1:39-56).

When Mary was about to give birth to Jesus, she and Joseph faced difficulties from finding a place for them to stay. Thus, she gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger (Luke 2:1-7).

The child Jesus grew and became strong, he was full of wisdom, and God’s blessing was upon him (Luke 2:40). This all came to be surely because of the guidance of Mama Mary.

During the Passover Festival when Jesus was twelve years old, Jesus stayed in Jerusalem without the knowledge of Mama Mary and St. Joseph. Upon seeing Jesus, Mary said to him, “Son why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you.” He answered them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand his answer. So Jesus went back with them to Nazareth, where He was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:41-51).

When Jesus performed his first miracle in a wedding in Cana (John 3:1-12), Mama Mary seems to assert her authority as a mother, she informed Jesus that the wine run out. Though, Jesus replied that his hour has not yet come, Mama Mary is confident that her son will do something as she told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Just like ordinary mothers, Mama Mary also experienced heartaches as she saw and felt the suffering of Jesus in Mt. Calvary (John 19:26-29). She was a strong woman, amidst difficulties.

It could be said that the last account of Mama Mary’s days on earth before her glorious assumption and coronation as Queen of heaven and earth was with the disciples. She was praying with them during the descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13-14) after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. What a prayerful woman Mama Mary is.

With that, may we follow Mama Mary’s attributes as a mother and as a woman in general.

Below is a prayer for all women out there that I gathered from Unveiled Wife:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the woman reading this prayer right now. Thank You for her heart. May You bless her right now. Fill her with Your incredible peace. Wrap her in Your love. May she feel confident and worthy. I pray that she would grow closer to You every day. Fuel a desire deep within her to seek after You. I pray that she would lead a life by the example Christ set. May she face everything with courage and may she walk in integrity. Help her with anything she is struggling with, surround her with encouragement, and give her your precious wisdom. May she experience joy today in Jesus’ name AMEN!

Happy Women’s Month!

“Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother” – Lin Yutang