"Thoughts On the Blessed Mother"

JMJ.  Did you ever have the feeling that folks weren't telling you everything?  That you were always the last to find things out?  When I was about 15 or 16, back in the middle ages, my dad came up to me and asked if I was all packed yet.  "Packed for what?" sez I.  "Well, we're leaving on vacation tomorrow and I wondered if you were all set to go."  Of course I was crushed that no one had thought to let me know but Dad insisted that it had been the topic of discussion for about three weeks! 

I was taking a shower one evening, (I try to do that once a week or so whether I need it or not for the sakes of my wife and friends,) and was cogitating on Our Lord on the cross when He gave us to His Holy Mother.  Now it only seems like He's giving His Mother to John to take care of; naturally they had plenty of relatives who would've been only too happy to look after Her in His stead.   No.  He's actually doing two things much more magnificent than than the words would indicate.

In saying, "Woman, behold thy son" it dawned on me that He was giving Mary the entire human race to be Her spiritual children.  Talk about responsibility!  For thirty-three years She had faithfully tended and nurtured Him, finally turning him free to fulfill His destiny.  She had proved Her humility, responsibility, and obedience.  Now She had a whole bunch more kids to look after!  And we?  When He said, "Son, behold thy Mother" He was telling us that not only would She tend our skinned souls, put bandaids on hurt hearts but that WE OWE HER EVEN MORE OBEDIENCE AND LOVE THAN WE DO OUR OWN MOTHERS!

I can't help but wonder what our precious Lord thinks of those who ignore Her, who denigrate Her and the work He gave Her to do.  After all, He obeyed His commandment and honoured His Mother.  Being God, I'm sure He did so perfectly.  Catholics just imitate Jesus!

Now of course I had to share this blinding insight with some friends at Tilma.  Did they hang on my every word?  They did not.  One woman gave me a "duh" look and said, "Where have you been?"  I still think it was kind of neat.