Mary - a mother consoled

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Bishop David Walker

Good Morning

Newborn, she had held him to her breast. Weaned, she had watched him grow steadily to manhood. She’d enjoyed those next three decades, surrounded by her growing family, even after Joseph had died. Yet always she had remembered the words spoken by that old man in the temple, that a sword would pierce her own soul too. And now it had. The one she had embraced at his birth, Mary had embraced again, as his body was lowered gently from that cross on which he had been so cruelly executed.

Just as she had cared for him in childhood, so too he had cared for her in her old age, commending her into the keeping of his beloved friend John, even as his breath was being dragged out of him, on the tree.

Yet now he was back again, something that old temple prophet had not foretold. The sword that had pierced her heart no longer pained her, any more than the marks of crucifixion seemed to be impairing him. And whilst soon she would see him on Earth no longer, she would find her place among his followers, and live her remaining years to the full, until she could be forever united with her beloved son, in that kingdom he had spoken of so passionately.

Lord Jesus Christ, you consoled your mother Mary with your risen presence. May the recognition of your nearness be my consolation in times of sorrow and of loss. And may the knowledge of that place you have prepared for me, spur me on to be your faithful servant here on Earth, until I too am united with those I have loved and lost, in your heavenly kingdom. Amen.