Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
I like this passage. It became a simple way for me to reconcile my evProtestant uncomfortable-ness with the importance of Mary, by title "Theotokos" (Bearer of God), in my life as an Orthodox Christian. So many of my ev-Prot friends get really ansy at the thought of the Theotokos. They take her out and dust her off at Christmas but the rest of the time she weirds them out something fierce.
When my mom died (Jan 1995), I was really bereft. Mom was my anchor to all things real for me. It really wasn't until I took the Theotokos into my home and heart that I was able to (a) truly grieve her loss and (b) realize that losing my earthly mom did not mean I was "motherless". Just as Christ gave His mother to the disciple He loved, He had also given her to me. How cool is that? He gave me His mother to pray for me and for me to ask for her prayers and to tell all those wacky things I used to tell my mother.
Through understanding that His intent was not to create a goddess but give me a mother also helped me realize that my mom is also always praying for me and I can ask for her to pray for me, too. That went such a long way toward healing my heart as well. She didn't die, go to heaven and forget about me! How hurtful is that? Knowing that my mother and grandmother always pray for me before Christ's throne simply brings to tears to my eyes. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? (I Corinthians 15:55)
And I can use all the prayer I can get.
So a happy Mothers' Day to you, Holy Theotokos! Happy Mothers' Day to you mom! Happy Mothers' Day to you Suggie! Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for me and please know that when I fall it is not because of your failings, but when I get it up it is only because of your intercession for me. Thank you!
O Lord God Almighty, Who wast pleased that Thine Only-begotten Son be incarnate of a woman that had not known marriage, and be made man for our salvation, and Who didst send Thine Angel Gabriel to the holy Virgin Mary with the good tidings of His conception, for that Thou hadst determined from before all ages that she should be the instrument of so great a Mystery! By her prayers, and those of all Thy Saints, announce to our souls the good tidings of forgiveness of sins, through Thy Grace, and joy that shall never be taken away; bespeak peace unto Thy people; make known to us the path by which we shall be well-pleasing unto Thy goodness, and set our feet on the way to Thy heavenly Kingdom.
Through the mercies and love for mankind of Thy Son, our Lord and master, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine All-holy, and Good, and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen!
Lord have mercy on me, a sinner!
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