Mary is indeed the Mother God, but she is our mother as well. As she stood at the foot of the cross, overwhelmed with grief, Christ looked down and spoke the words we know so very well, “Son, behold they mother, mother behold they son”. At that moment Christ gave His mother not only to John, but to all of us. Mary became the mother of the whole human race. She lived the human virtues to perfection. Could there be any better model for those of us blessed with the responsibility of raising or caring for children than our beautiful Mother Mary?
The care of children can be a great challenge. Our Mother Mary, although she was perfect and free from any form of temptation or sin, still suffered for her son, Jesus. At the presentation in the Temple, she learned that Jesus was to be the cause of the rise and fall of many in Israel and her heart too a sword would pierce. Joseph and Mary both experienced fear and misunderstanding when Jesus was separated from them for three days as He went about doing His Father’s business. At the foot of the cross Our Lady suffered the greatest pain imaginable – the death of her child. Although she suffered greatly, her fortitude, trust and divine filiation enabled her to carry out the will of God in her life.
There is no question that raising a family today is a challenge. However some parents find the task so overwhelmingly difficult, that rather than tackle the problems, they retreat to passivity and allow their children to “go with the flow” and succumb to current philosophies and practices. Regardless of the challenges that face parents today in the rearing of children, we have an obligation to honor God by living our faith and instilling in children the virtues of faith, hope, and charity as well as generosity, kindness, patience, perseverance, fortitude, courage and purity to mention a few. St. Josemaria, said, "Some people bring children into the world for their own benefit, to serve their own purposes, out of selfishness. They forget children are a wonderful gift from God for which they will have to render a very special account…” (The Furrow, #845.) Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and teachers are called upon to set good example for their children by living all the Christian virtues, particularly Holy Purity. St. Josemaria said, “When we were little, we kept close to our mother in a dark alley or if dogs barked at us. Now, when we feel temptations of the flesh, we should run to the side or Our Mother in Heaven, by realizing how close she is to us, and by means of our aspirations. She will defend us and lead us to the light” (The Furrow, point 847.) The custom of reciting three Hail Mary’s at bedtime is recommended to protect one’s purity. The following short prayer to Our Lady will help us flee dangerous situations.
We Fly to Your Patronage
We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities but deliver us from all dangers, O ever-glorious and blessed Virgin.
Recommended Reading:
The Mystical Rose, by John Henry Newman –
The following books by James B. Stenson:
Anchor – God’s Promises of Hope to Parents
Compass – A Handbook on Parent Leadership
Father, The Family Protector
Upbringing
All available from: www.scepterpublishers.org
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