Next on our review of examples of absolute faith on the ‘Bible on the Road’ comes our Blessed Mother, Mama Mary.
Luke’s Gospel relates when the Archangel Gabriel came to the young teen girl. An Archangel’s countenance would be awesome and probably of itself alone, strike terror in most hearts. Mary was awed by the message the angel shared, “Hail, full of grace.” It was the archangel who was in awe of Mary. He uplifted her spirit, telling her, “do not be afraid.” Then, proceeded to give the message from God that all Israel dreamed of. She would be the virgin foretold by Isaiah (7:14) who would bring the Messiah to man.
Her response was in simple and humble faith, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.” The most momentous announcement in all mankind, next to “He is risen” is one of total faith and trust in God. If God says so, then, yes. “For nothing is impossible with God” Luke 1:37
The Blessed Mother then showed her absolute faith in her son, Jesus, in Cana. Mary told Jesus of the problem, then in total faith, she turned and walked away, simply telling the servants, “do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). Not knowing what Jesus would do, she knew He would take care of the situation.
In faith, Mary stood beside her son as she watched Him be scourged and beaten and mocked. She stood silently aside as the crowd cried out to murder her son. She knew Jesus is God’s Son, the Archangel told her. So, she understood fully what the crowd was doing – more than killing her son, they were begging to kill the God. Mary climbed to Gol’Gotha, carrying her own cross alongside her baby boy.
Mary stood beside the cross as they drove the nails through the hands she played patty-cake with and the feet she had tickled. Watching the blood drip from the crown over the face she played peek-a-boo with.
Then, having watched her son raised on that cross, standing with John and some other women, she heard Him say, “Woman, behold your son.” Mary immediately became John’s mother in that moment. And in that moment, this woman of absolute faith, became our mother.
From that moment on Calvary, Mary has shown her faith to us, uplifted us when our faith falters and given us hope to persevere and the faith to surrender. Fatima, Lourdes, Guadeloupe and more.
Look to and lean upon the Blessed Mother Mary. She is truly the strongest example of faith that we could ever find. I know in this post, i didn’t do justice to her faith. So, study her as an example of true, unwavering faith. Follow her example in your faith. And, when the fear of the moment overwhelms you upon your place of the skull, turn to Mama. She will hold your hand and guide you through the darkness to her Son’s side. Then, pass your hand into His.
If you haven’t already, consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary. She knows Jesus and trusts His love. She knows you as her child and will bring you closer to Jesus than you can alone.