Entrustment to Mary = Different than Imitating Mary

I was at a retreat this summer and the theme was about Blessed Mother and her role in our life. The priest drew our attention to the words of Jesus Christ while on the Cross, “Behold, your mother” (Jn 19:27). He mentioned how these words have the potential to be understood deeper and deeper every time we hear them. If we seek, then we shall find the deeper meaning.

Imitation of Mary

This same priest gave one of the most helpful analogies I have heard shared to help understand what entrustment to Mary means. He said to imagine a mother with two children. The first child is very brave, while the second one is not.  Both children watch as their mother enters a dark room. The brave child sees her enter and thinks, “Since my mother can do it, then I can do it too.” That child desires to and is able to follow the example of the mother, and enter the dark room. This is the example of imitating Mary.

Communion with Mary

Meanwhile, the other child thinks, “Yes, I saw my mother enter that dark room, but I am too afraid to go by myself. I will only be able to go in if my mother is present with me.” This child desires to enter the dark room, since his mother is there, but cannot follow her on his own. He needs the awareness of the presence of his mother to enter. He prefers to say “WE (mom and I) are going into the room together.” This is the example of entrustment to Mary or, another way to say it, communion of life with Christ through Mary.

The above analogy speaks volumes to me. I am definitely the cowardly child who wants/needs Blessed Mother’s presence in my life! Sometimes, I am not even brave enough to desire to follow her. That is why I beg for the graces that She will carry me. I like to envision myself as a child on her back, in a papoose sleeping while She carries me through all the adventures of my days. Therefore,  I can say “WE (Blessed Mother and I) are together caring for my children, washing the dishes, reading Facebook posts, going to Holy Mass, receiving the Holy Eucharist, talking to my ‘difficult neighbors,’ mourning the loss of my father, loving my husband, etc., etc. ”

Since being on that retreat, I have been contemplating the significance of being carried in the arms of Mary. It is easier to remember that I am carried the more I remember how truly God and Mary love me. In the example above, the two children wanted to follow their mother. Why? Because they were convinced of her love! They beheld their mom and wanted to be with her.

How much more crucial it is in my life to desire to be with the Blessed Mother! The more I desire this, the more She has been convincing me that I am loved as I am. The awareness of being loved as I am is helping me to be more and more grateful for Mary’s presence in my life. It is a lovely circle of discovering God’s mercy and love.

I’m curious – for those reading this blog – which child do you relate to most? Please leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!