Mary’s authority and stature in the Christian faith is rooted in her role as the mother of Jesus.  We know little about Mary as a person.  The gospels, after all, are not history but a retelling of the “good news” of Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us Mary is praised for her great faith.  Mary believed what the angel Gabriel told her -- that she would give birth to a child, Jesus, who will be the “Son of the Most High ”--  and therefore she is blessed.

There’s a Spanish saying “an ounce of mother is better than a pound of clergy.” If you had a loving mother, then you may agree with that proverb. No matter what kind of earthly mother she was, mothers are models for the spiritual life. 

Once a certain abbot was visiting the Russian Saint Seraphim of Sarov (1759-1833).  The visitor asked Seraphim’s advice about how to direct the monks under his care.  Father Seraphim has this advice: 

“Let every Abbott become and remain as a wise mother.  A mother who loves her children and lives not to satisfy herself but to satisfy her children.  The infirmities of her infirm children she hears with love: those who have fallen into filth she cleans, washes them calmly, cloths them in new white garments, puts their shoes on, warms them, feeds them, looks after them, com-forts them and from all sides strives to pacify their spirit so that she never hears the slightest cry from them; and such children are well disposed to their mother.  Thus should every Abbott live not to satisfy himself but to satisfy those subject to him.

He should be condescending to their weak-nesses; bear with love the infirmities of the infirm; heal their sinful diseases with the plaster of mercifulness, raised with kindness those who have fallen into transgress-sions...keep constant watch over them; by every means comforting them, and from all sides defend their peace and repose to such an extent that the slightest cry or murmuring will never be heard from them; and then they will zealously strive to procure for the Abbott peace of repose.”   (from Spiritual Instructions of St. Seraphim)  

This description of Abbott as mother figure seems both impossibly idealistic and also true. As a mother and pastor, it’s love for my children and my parishioners that is a guiding force in my life.  Yet Seraphim seems to have an extremely exalted view of mothers.  Yes, there are many times that mothers perform selfless acts of love for their kids.  Yet mothers can get too entang-led emotion-ally in the lives of their children, and stultify their children’s growth.  A mother’s giving can come with a hidden price -- the expectation that she will get affection, attention, love, etc. in return -- and she may feel bitter if that price isn’t paid in full.

Mother Mary is a spiritual leader for us.  She trusted in God’s Word, when it was spoken to her through an angel.  When we hear or read God’s Word for us, do we take that Word to heart?  Do we listen to scripture with the same openness that Mary received Gabriel’s message?

Let Mother Mary be your spiritual guide today.  Let her show you how to receive God’s Word into your heart.