NBVM Novena Day 7: Mary’s Graceful Ageing–Lessons from a Universal Mother
The Most Holy Theotokos the Unburnt Bush icon
On day 7 of the Novena with the focus on senior citizens, the evergreens, Fr John Paul shared about his experience at Mary’s Well in Nazareth. While taking a walk there, he came across a man who belonged to the Orthodox Christian tradition. He was explaining about the icons there to his child.
One of the remarkable icons is the “Unburnt Bush Icon,” an iconographic depiction of Mary based on the miracle of the burning bush. Tradition understands the Unburnt Bush in the book of Exodus as being a type (meaning, a prefiguration) of the Virgin Mary: just as the bush was burning without being consumed, the Virgin gave birth to Christ while remaining a virgin.
This invites us to contemplate Mary as the evergreen, ever-virgin, and ever-young woman who remained untouched by the presence of God. At the temple in Jerusalem, Mary was given a prophecy by Simeon that a sword will pierce her heart. Despite her difficult experiences, she aged gracefully as a hardworking woman in the little, unimportant village of Nazareth.
Mary’s life was a tapestry woven from diverse experiences, and we must find the thread that connects them to appreciate how she gracefully aged. She carried the presence of God and shared it with the world as a redeeming presence. At various times, she was a life-giving presence to various people: Mary paid a life-giving visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary was also an example for faith formation. When Jesus questioned, “Who is my mother?” and “Who are my brothers?” Mary is used as an example that it is those who listen to the Word of God and keep it like she did who are Jesus’ mother and brothers.
Mary had the experience of providing strengthening visits. In the fourth station of the Way of the Cross, she sees Jesus in agony and comforts him. At the 13th station, she was declared as the universal mother. Here is a lesson for all of us: Mary was not just the mother of Jesus. Mary was the mother of all those supported Jesus—Simon who helped carry the cross and Veronica who wiped the face of Jesus and Mary also was the mother of those who scourged Jesus, those who shouted “Crucify him! Crucify him!”, and the soldiers who placed the crown of thorns on Jesus’s head. Mary is the mother of both the good and the evil; she is the universal mother.
When we look back at our lives, are there going to be memories of life-giving, redeeming, and strengthening experiences? When I look back at my life do I see negativity or do I see God’s presence in my life that helps me age gracefully? As I look ahead, do I believe that I have something more to give? How much more am I going to be life-giving, redeeming and strength-giving to others? It is these qualities that makes one ever green.
Celebration of Rev Fr Nelson Joseph’s 25th Sacerdotal Anniversary during the Mass.