1 Thess 2:7 we were gentle among you, even as a nursing mother cares for her children…(NAB)
Isaiah 66:14 As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you (NAB)
At Mass one morning, there was a young mother in the pew in front of me with her little boy. He had thick blond hair, somewhat tousled, and was doing his best to be quiet and attentive. He looked to be about five or six, and was standing on the kneeler and squirming a bit when he slipped back and bumped his head on the pew bench. His mom instantly caught him, cradled his head in her hand, and bent low to hold him and comfort him. We had been singing one of the responses, and my voice caught, tears coming to my eyes as I envisioned Mother Mary so gently offering the same comfort to her little boy. I could see His thick black hair with her slender fingers cradling His head, drawing Him close to her heart and comforting Him. The scene from the Passion of the Christ played in my imagination, when Mary rushed to gather up her little boy and comfort Him after He had tripped and bruised His knee.
How our Father in Heaven longs to comfort us in our pain and sorrow, and how He has sent Mother Mary so often to our side when we need a mother’s gentle touch, a mother’s embrace and the assurance of her unconditional love. Watching the little scene played out before me in church spoke to my heart of God’s attentiveness to ourevery need, even the small bumps and bruises we incur on our earthly pilgrimage.
I attended an Advent Day of Reflection given by Liz Kelly where she shared some insights on the Anima Christi that speak to me of this heavenly comfort. The phrase “Passion of Christ, strengthen me” in Latin is “Passio Christi, conforta me.” Our natural desire is to be comforted, and with the translation we recognize that comfort does indeed strengthen us. It strengthens us to do what is right, what is pleasing to God. And with this strength and comfort come responsibility, to exercise the gifts given to us to be witnesses to the Good, the True and the Beautiful.
Receiving the loving and gentle tender care of Mary must have been part of the building of compassion that characterizes Jesus. When we receive such love, it transforms us to become more and more like Him, and to treat others with that same kindness and care.
Lord God, may my heart be attentive to others as we trip and stumble along this path of life, always ready to quickly offer compassion, to build each other up to be the authentic witnesses the Lord desires us to be. Passio Christi, conforta me…
Spiritual Sun Pennies 