Sheila Sims Iding
Let me say right up front that I didn’t really get it. Being a convert, I admit I didn’t really understand all these feast days of the Catholic Church. I didn’t really understand all the ta-do about Mary. I certainly didn’t understand a Holy Day of obligation where I HAD to go to church.
Well God must have laughed a bit as I tried to figure it all out. He is so clever to know I would need Tim in my life for just such things. Tim explains these thing in such a gentle, simple way that the reasoning passes right through logic and goes straight to your heart. The way he explains it is so meaningful that it doesn’t feel like a day of obligation where you HAVE to go to church but rather a day of honor where you want to go to church.
The more I learn about Mary the closer she comes to my heart. The more Tim teaches me about her trials, her courage, her faith, the more I want to spend time with her. So I wondered what it would be like to sit and have a cup of tea with Mary. Or perhaps a glass of wine. She did order more wine at that wedding in Cana. Wine or tea, tea or wine…it really wouldn’t matter. What would matter is that she would sit with me and I could ask her all those things I wondered about in her faithfilled life.
I wonder when the angel first appeared and said “be not afraid”, could Gabriel already see the fear in your eyes?
I wonder when you said “yes” was it an instant answer or are you like the rest of us and have to really think about God’s will in your life?
I wonder when you told Joseph was he mad or was he just sad...or merely confused? What did your parents say and whose doubt hurt you the most?
How did you handle the town’s people and their reaction? You didn’t really blame them did you?
When Joseph came back to you with his “yes”, were you overjoyed or did you just cry?
When you went to Elizabeth’s house, was the walk long and difficult? Was it special to share pregnancy stories with her?
As you waited for this special birth, did you even know you were the first tabernacle for the body of Christ?
When you had to go to Bethlehem on that donkey wasn’t that unsettling? Nine months pregnant? On a donkey? Traveling far? I got uncomfortable riding in a nice car to Detroit late in my pregnancies.
Was Joseph really frustrated when he couldn’t find a room for you? He had to be so worried. Were you worried too?
Was your faith so sure that you never worried about this baby being born healthy? I mean don’t all moms in waiting worry too much? And to be born in a barn…was it even more worrisome or did you just accept it all as God’s plan?
When you held that newborn baby and saw the face of God, did you know you were inventing the first Adoration?
I was wondering when Joseph held Jesus, did your eyes well with tears like ours do when dads hold their child for the first time?
And Holy Night…oh my stars…how amazing was Holy Night? Was THE star really that bright? Were the angels’ singing really that glorious? And when the Magi came…how humbled were they to kneel before the king?
So…how scared were you when you heard a king wanted to kill your baby? Did the alternate route frighten you? Did you hold him tighter? Did you pray longer?
When you held this newborn baby and he wrapped his little fingers around yours…did you know that nails would pierce that hand?
When you kissed his face as he fell asleep, did you know that a betrayer would kiss his face too?
When you covered his little feet, could even imagine that those feet would lead and we would follow?
When you presented Jesus to Simeon and he whispered that prayer, is that when you truly realized the power of this little life?
I won’t even ask about him being lost when he was a child…I am a mom. All moms know the panic of that feeling.
What about the miracles? Were they really awesome to witness? And how special did you feel that his first miracle was because of your request?
Did you know his apostles? Did you have a clue about Judas? And…you can tell me…was John your favorite one too?
I know Holy Week had to be hell for you. I can picture you as you watched him carry that cross to his death. What I can’t fathom is what it had to be like for your eyes to meet his and not be able to help him? When children are hurt, suffering and dying…isn’t it just a mother’s nature to comfort and help. And all you could do was watch…how did you do that?
How much faith did it take for you to walk the way of the cross with him? How much courage did it take for you to stand at the foot of that cross?
When he was on the cross and he asked John to take care of you did that bring you any comfort or were you consumed with sadness?
When he took his last breath on that cross, did you allow any doubt of faith to creep in?
When they took him off the cross and you got to hold him after he died, were you the least bit angry at God?
If I could only ask one question…this might be it…what did you do on Holy Saturday? Did you just weep? Did John take care of you? Did God speak to your heart? Did you wonder where is the angel that says “do not be afraid”?
Okay…now the fun question…when you first saw him after the resurrection? Did you yell out “OH MY GOD”…literally? How amazing was that? How many moms wish for a dead child to come back? It is probably their only wish…even just for 40 days.
And when he went back to heaven, were you scared? Sad? Mad? You just got him back and he left again. That couldn’t be easy.
And today…this feast day of the assumption…what was that like? When the angels came to get you did they whisper “do not be afraid”? Did you know you were going home?
When you got to heaven, how was that first embrace with Jesus? What did you do when you saw his face? And…Joseph…was he so happy to see you?
And when you were crowned Queen of Heaven, did the angels and saints celebrate? There had to be some sort of party.
And the most important question, but I think I already know the answer…do you really hear our prayers? Do you really sit next to God and intercede for us?
Do you watch moms who struggle with children being lost, children being threatened, children being sick, children dying? Do those mom’s have a special place in your faith-filled heart? I like to think they do.
And…from my teacher’s heart…do you love when the children pray the Rosary for you? Do you love when they go to the Rosary Garden on September 8 and sing Happy Birthday to you? Do you love how their little voices sing Hail, Mary, Gentle Woman? I hope it touches your heart as much as it touches mine.
Lastly, do you know how much I love spending time with you. Your mother’s heart, your understanding of pain and suffering, your unending faith saved many days for me and helped me follow your Son more closely. Blessed are you among women.
Thank you for spending time with me and just one more question about that cup of tea…one lump of sugar or two? Or…better yet red wine or white?