Journal of Sacred Work

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Mother Mary 2018Mother Mary has comforted the hearts of many throughout the ages. My mom loved to tell us stories about my grandmother, Catherine Carter Lawler and her love of Mary. Mom’s tone of voice rose at least two octaves whenever she shared that “grandma prayed to Mary and oh how she listened!” She interceded on her behalf and her prayers were always answered.

My Grandmother kept a small plastic statue of Mary by her bedside. This visual image was a powerful symbol of unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness.  After my grandmother died, my mother placed that little icon of Mary at her bedside to help focus her prayerful intentions.  Now I am the keeper of the statue. Mary is by my bedside and I treasure this meaningful keepsake as blessing.

This love for Mother Mary has been passed on through the generations worldwide. Some years ago, I discovered the “Rosary of Divine Union” as a contemplative form of prayer that offers great solace and peace. Fr. John Keating shared this insight,” A Mother sees flowers where others see stones. Mother embraces. Mother unifies. Today’s world is a world in need of Mother, and many people look and seek for birthing of a spiritual life, of Divinity within themselves. As Mary birthed Divinity within herself, she stands as Universal Mother—ready to assist all who come to her in birthing Christ within themselves.”

Mother’s Day is a tradition that celebrates and acknowledges the many faces of Love. We celebrate the richness that our diversity encompasses, the blessings of our unfolding journey and our universal connection within the frailty and resilience of the human heart.

We celebrate the joy of new life, accept the sadness in leave taking, while embracing the gifts revealed in Loving.   

Blessing The Mothers
by Jan Richardson

Who are our
first sanctuary

Who fashion
a space of blessing
with their own being:

With the belly
the bone and
The blood

Or,
If not these,
then with the
durable heart
that offers itself
to break
and grow wide,
to gather itself
around another
as refuge,
as home.

Who lean into
the wonder and terror
of loving what
they can hold
but cannot contain.

Who remain
in some part of themselves
always awake,
a corner of consciousness
keeping perpetual vigil.

Who know
that the story
is what endures
is what binds us
is what runs deeper
even than blood

and so they spin them
in celebration
of what abides
and benediction
on what remains:

a simple gladness
that latches onto us
and graces us
on our way.

 

This reflection is offered in loving memory of Molly Chapman and all mothers & grandmothers who are no longer here on this earthly plane but who continue to offer a wellspring of love and guidance to help "ease our way".

Liz Sorensen Wessel
Mother Mary by ~liz

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8 responses to “Days 134-135 … “And Graces Us Along Our Way””

  1. Maureen McDermott Avatar
    Maureen McDermott

    What a wonderful connection to your mother and grandmother Liz and to Mary who also mothers us. Joan Chittister writes that the Irish call today, ‘Mothering’ Day and how appropriate as there are so many people who mother us into wholeness. May we like Mother Mary and our mothers who poured out their love for us be bearers of love to a world so desperate for the tenderness, wisdom and love of mothers.

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  2. erie chapman Avatar
    erie chapman

    Deep thanks to you for offering this gorgeous essay and painting of Mother Mary in honor of my mom who, although called Molly, was actually named Mary.
    There are so many moving lines in your writing and Jan Richardson’s striking poem. Your work provoked such touching comment from Sister Maureen including her finally exhortation that we “like Mother Mary” who “poured out their love for us be bearers of love to a world so desperate for the tenderness, wisdom and love of mothers.”
    This is such a fine post, Liz. A tribute not only to your mom and her mom but to YOU for being a mother beyond mothering your own sons to the loving care you have given to hundreds and hundreds across your career.
    I imagine that plastic statue of Mary beside you – blessing your hands and heart and life.

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  3. Jolyon Avatar
    Jolyon

    Connections.
    I have always been a fan of the old James Burke show “Connections”. It dealt with how events happened and the way they happened but those events may not have happened if something else did not occur first and it usually was an obscure occurrence. Liz’s plastic statue is our connection…
    As I started to read Liz’s reflection this Saturday I was listening to music randomly, the music changed and now playing was “Ave Maria To Thee Holy Virgin” by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
    When we celebrate Mothers Day most of us celebrate it as Mother’s Day. But we really honor all Mothers.
    We all have a long lineage to mothers. Most religions venerate a Holy Mother. Liz celebrates with her mothers that long lineage of Love and Faith from her mom Elizabeth and her mom Catherine, all the way back to Saint Anne (Hannah) and Mary of Nazareth. We are all connected through Love and Mother.
    Peace be with you all.
    Thank you Liz…

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  4. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Thank you Maureen for the way you bless us with your presence and offer a loving blessing to us all and may we carry that Love forth to bless others!

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  5. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    Thank you Liz, such a gentle tribute to all Mothers, and to the one Mother who was the greatest of all.

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  6. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Wow, I did not know that your Mom’s birth name was Mary, the connection makes dedicating this remembrance to her even more meaningful!
    I agree, Maureen’s loving intention is a prayer of great heart and received as blessing.
    …and thank you for blessing me, Erie!

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  7. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Thank you, Jolyon for weaving the threads of connection in such a beautiful way. Each of the comments today have enhanced this reflection of Mother’s Day tenfold and I am so grateful to each of you for the loved poured out in these pages.

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  8. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Amen, Julie and blessings to you!

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