“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 

The Virgin Mary was chosen by God to be an example to us of a total surrender to the Will of God irrespective of the price.  In her example we see total trust in God and an unwavering faith and commitment to His Will.  This Blessed Woman, God’s Heart’s Desire, will endure the greatest suffering as she sees Her Son, Our Redeemer Jesus Christ, crucified for the sins of humanity.

God reveals the Virgin Mary in the Bible long before she is born in the Book of Genesis

After the original sin of Adam and Eve, God speaks to Satan about how God will destroy evil.  God says to Satan:  “And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15)

To understand this prophecy we need to understand that the woman in this passage is the Virgin Mary and the word “seed” refers to her “offspring” or “children”.  Jesus is “the seed of the woman” or “the Son of the Woman, that pays the price of our sins, crushing the evil of Satan. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23) “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men” (1 Timothy 2:5)   Mediators resolve disputes and reconcile differences and it is the great sacrifice of Jesus that makes reparation to Divine Justice opening the gates of heaven to us.

To further understand this prophecy we need to understand that “enmity” is a force of opposition.  The only way the woman can oppose the evil of Satan is with the holiness and love of God.  The “enmity” between the woman, Mary and Satan is a result of Mary’s perfect obedience to God.  If she were not faithful there would be no enmity.  So already, before the Virgin Mary is born God prophesies about the woman who will be His faithful servant assisting Him in His plan of salvation.

The Virgin Mary is chosen by God and is highly favoured and this is how the Angel Gabriel greets her

“And the angel came to her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”  Luke 1:28

With perfect trust and confidence in God the Virgin Mary accepts her mission to serve God, becoming Mother of Our Redeemer Jesus

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”  Luke 1:38

Mary praises and gives thanks to God and so too must we be mindful of God’s providence.

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”  Luke 1: 46-49

Mary is charitable and courageous

Upon hearing of her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy she immediately heads off to assist her. “Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.”  Luke 1:56. At this time the Virgin Mary was expecting Jesus.  She could have been afraid to venture off to see her cousin fearing that she might be stoned for being pregnant and unmarried, but instead she goes to her trusting in God’s protection.

Mary intercedes for those in need

At the wedding of Cana she intercedes for the bridal couple that have run out of wine telling Jesus of their need.  She instructs the servants to  “Do whatever he tells you.”  John 2:5 and Jesus performs His first public miracle turning water into wine.

As we pray the prayer “Hail Mary” and the “Holy Rosary” we pray for the Virgin Mary to intercede for us and pray for us.

Mary endures the greatest suffering witnessing the murder of her Son Jesus

Can their be any greater pain for the Virgin Mary than seeing Her Son tortured and crucified?

“Come, all you who pass by along the road, look and see whether there is any pain like my pain.” (Lamentations 1:12) The Virgin Mary meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary “His appearance was so marred beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men—so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him.” (Isaiah 52: 14-15) Mary understood the reason for this great divine sacrifice, yet our Heavenly Mother’s heart breaks at the sight of Her Son, True God, True Man.

Jesus honours His mother while dying on the Cross speaking to her and to us in His final moments

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”  Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.  John 19: 26-27

Death by crucifixion is a brutal, agonizing death.  Hanging on the Cross dying, Jesus would have been struggling to breathe, enduring the most terrible pain.  So these words “Behold your mother!” have great meaning.  Jesus is giving the apostles a spiritual mother who will assist them in their mission to evangelize and spread the Gospel message of love and forgiveness.

Let us pray…

Holy Mother of God you were chosen to give birth to Our Saviour Jesus Christ. Exalted above all women, God filled you with His grace and now all generations acknowledge your blessedness.  You endured the greatest suffering, giving up your Son Jesus so that we could be redeemed by His Sacred Blood.  Always faithful, always trusting in God, Jesus honoured you in His final dying moments giving you to His disciples as Spiritual Mother.  Help us through your prayers, most gentle Mother, to give Jesus the trust He so desires.  Help us to surrender to His holy will and be witnesses of His love, mercy and justice.  Help us to forgive one another.   In Jesus Christ’s name we pray that you will continue to intercede for us and help us to love Jesus Our Lord so that we too can one day receive the crown of life that God gives to all who love Him!  We love you Holy Mother of God!  You are Our Spiritual Mother and Queen of Heaven and Earth!  We love You Holy Jesus, Our Lord and Our God!

Please keep stopping and praying at 3pm (in your local time or another time zone) to remember the great sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Pray at this time for the redemption of all souls and for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God.