Reflections on Mary

Good Evening.  No church visit or pictures this post.  One of my fellow bloggers who is on the same social network as I am, has convinced a group of us to write a reflection on Mary, Mother of God.  I'm tempted to post the visit of the church named Mary, Mother of God, but that I think is not the point.

My mind is all over the place with this reflection, so bear with me.

Really, the first thing I think of when I think of Mary is Marian hymns.  I remember in grade school learning all kinds of Marian hymns.  Some of the most notable are "Bring Flowers of the Fairest; Bring Flowers of the Rarest"  and "On This Day"  I have nightmares about these songs.  I like "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman" the best.   Now that I think about it, you don't hear very many contemporary aka rock n roll songs about Mary.

When I think of Mary, I think of a mother.  I remember Sister Mary Anne, in grade school, telling us to pray to Mary to get Jesus to do something for us, because good boys, and Jesus is a good boy, always listen to their mothers.

When I think of Mary, I think of a wife.  She married Joseph.  I wonder what their life was like.

When I think of Mary, I think of a woman wearing blue.  Nearly every picture and statue I have seen of Mary depicts her in blue.  The only exception I can think of is Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where she is dressed in black.

But we know so little about Mary's life, other than wife and mother.  I wonder if what her activities she liked to do.  I wonder is she had a favorite food.  What is her favorite color?  Was she well known for something, like knitting or cooking?  Did she have a secret ingredient that made some dish the talk of the neighborhood?

When we look at these images of Mary, we see a perfect young maiden.  I wonder if Mary had pimples? If she had any scars from illness or accidents?  I think about her hands.  Were they rough and calloused? Were they elegant?

I also wonder about all of Mary's various titles.  She has so many different names.  How did she get them?  I know Mary is called the Star of the Sea.  Why?  I'm guessing Mary never  really saw the Sea, or  maybe she did on the Flight into Egypt.

I suppose, in reality, I'm not a very good Catholic.  I don't have this deep devotion (or any devotion really) to Mary like others seem to have.  I see Mary as a wife and mother, neither of those vocations I feel called to at this particular time.  I know Mary is a woman, but we know so little of her life outside of wife and mother, it doesn't really speak to me.

I guess when I think of Mary, I think of the mother I wish I had.  Mary is so idealized that it is hard to really identify with her.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

 that never was it known

 that anyone who fled to thy protection, 

implored thy help, 

or sought thine intercession 

was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence,  

I fly unto thee, 

O Virgin of virgins, my mother; 

to thee do I come, 

before thee I stand,

 sinful and sorrowful. 

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, 

despise not my petitions, 

but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

Mary, Queen of Heaven

St. Anthony of Padua

(I think...)