Go to Mama!

   I have noticed that my kids go to Mom for everything.  They will even walk past me to ask Mom for something.  There is nothing wrong with that, though my wife and I would like it to be a bit more balanced, especially when she is busy and I am not.  But there is a truth in this.  Going to Mom is instinctive.  Not because we dislike Dad, but because we feel this intimate connection with Mom.  And after being within our Mom for 9 months, it is only natural.

   And so we must also go to our universal Mom, Mary.  Were we within her womb?  No.  But Jesus was.  And if His Father is our Father, His Mother must be our Mother.  We are not half-siblings with Jesus.  He said to the beloved disciple, “Behold, your mother.” – [John 19:27]  If Jesus is able to give His Mother to the beloved disciple, we can be assured that Jesus gives His Mother to us as well, since He held absolutely nothing back from us especially on the Cross where He said these words.

   So, we go to Mama.  She being immaculately conceived and without sin can present our prayers in a perfect manner that our broken state will allow.  And it was God who makes up for our broken state by allowing us to send our prayers in a perfect manner by giving us a perfect Mother.  She is not God, but she is perfect in her humanity and her obedience to God.

   My kids go to Mom because she can present my kids petitions in a way that I agree with her to grant.  My kids go to Mom because she lets them down with a softer "no" than I would give.  But ultimately, they go to Mom because there is an intimate connection Mom has with them.  Mary has this intimate connection with each of us, even if we are spiteful or angry.  Like a good mom, she is gentle, kind, and only wants what is best for us.

   St. John the beloved disciple, help me to accept Jesus’ Mother as my Mother, as you did when Jesus gave her to you as your Mother.