“Mary’s throne, like that of her Son, is the Cross.” (Saint Josemaría, the Way, 508).
I have been reflecting on the Blessed Virgin – on the Mother of Our Blessed Lord – and OUR HEAVENLY MOTHER, MARY, over the last few weeks.
You see, recently I have had occasion to speak with several mothers to whom God has provided the cross to bear the pain of witnessing their children’s trials, as their children have additional needs. For some of these mothers, their children’s additional needs relate to their physical health and can endanger their lives. For other mothers among them, their children’s additional needs relate to their spiritual and emotional health and can disrupt them mentally and emotionally (and even at times physically).
These mothers are very dear to my heart, because in them I can the presence of the Blessed Virgin – Our Heavenly Mother whos is Queen of Heaven – herself.
You see, it is a terribly heavy cross for a mother to have to bear witness – OFTEN IN SILENCE – to the suffering of her child, whether it be suffering caused by physical anguish, or suffering caused by emotional or spiritual anguish… In many ways such suffering is more heart breaking for those mothers than if they were asked to endure their child’s suffering in their own bodies and minds instead of witnessing it in their children…
And yet, there is no way that we can transfer the suffering of one soul to another – even from a child to their mother… And nobody understood that better than the Blessed Mother. And yet, God provided mothers with much opportunity for GRACE through such a cross. You see, nobody can share in the suffering of a soul as a mother shares in that suffering.
Saint Josemaría wrote in his book, “The Way” at 508, “Mary’s throne, like that of her Son, is the Cross. Marvel at Mary's courage: at the foot of the Cross, with the greatest of human sorrows – there is no sorrow like her sorrow – filled with fortitude. And ask her for that same strength, so that you too can remain beside the Cross.”
And I have been reflecting on this throne of the Blessed Virgin – for she is Queen of Heaven. And she was awarded such a throne, because she stood in silent witness to the suffering of her Child…
And I have come to realise, that when a mother silently witnesses the suffering of her child, she can – through Grace – share in the throne of the Blessed Virgin. And if that is the case, it only makes sense to say that such mothers have the opportunity to become Princesses of Heaven. For they are the handmaids of the Handmaid, who silently accept God’s Will – “Be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38).
And that is why I pray especially for such souls as these – for it is no easy thing to sit on a throne such as that, and yet, without such a throne, such mothers could never become like the Queen of Heaven. And when you really think about it, what greater ambition could we have in this lifetime, than to become Princesses of the Most High?
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.