Men's Rosary

What love and strength we find in our mothers!  Growing up, my mom was always there to take care of us, nurse us, listen to our problems, the list goes on and on. We were always placed before her wants and needs.  And then, as I grew into a man with a family of my own, she was there to support me, and to help my wife and I as we breached the realm of parenthood!

Then I saw these same qualities emerge as my wife became a mother.  The needs and ambitions of the children always superseded hers.  Our house was made into a home.  The compassion and love ran very deep.  “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.  She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.  She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, as he praises her.” (Proverbs 31:25-28)   It made me stop and think about how I respond to others.  I never had that level of compassion!  I loved, but I did not have the level of compassion she or that my mother had.  I was, and still am to a certain extent, a “get up and brush it off” type of guy! She caused me to pause and reconsider how I treat others and how to live more humbly.

Why do I say all of this?  Well, it is to share what I have come to learn about a mother’s example. To love others above yourself and to walk humbly with God. Also, the reality that Jesus gave us His mother! Our Blessed Mother’s example is a more complete way to love another.  This means that we have an earthly mother and our heavenly Mother to seek an example on right relationship with others.  To ponder what love and dedication the Blessed Mother had for her son will beg the question of how much and how completely we love Christ.  And, as we know, the best way to love God is to love neighbor. How much and how completely do we love others?

Remember also, that just as we might go to our earthly mother for advice and help, Mary is always there for us.  We are her children.  Pray for her intercession to love well, to love completely and to serve.  Pray that we may have a servant’s heart.  This will not make us weak, rather it will make us complete.

“Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with perfect confidence.”   (St. Francis de Sales)