The sisterhood of the Mother of God

By Colleen Constable

On January 1 we observed the feast of Mary, Mother of God. In his homily the priest referred to the role of women in society and in the Church. He emphasised the significance of the feast day on the first day of the new year: that it requires us to be as courageous and faithful as our Holy Mother, willing to conquer the unknown.

After Mass I went to the botanical garden to meditate and to pray the rosary. I offered the rosary as thanksgiving to God for a woman who contributed to the salvation and redemption of the world. It was Mary’s fiat that allowed God’s plan to manifest. When she stood at the foot of the cross God’s plan for humanity was further emphasised: The Mother of God also became our mother: a combination of biological and spiritual motherhood.

I pondered on the joyful mysteries and became inspired by the Mother of God’s role of love of neighbour. Her visit to her cousin Elizabeth carries significance. In a world influenced by modernism, where values and morals have become outdated while individualism, exploitation, greed and materialism flourish, her visit offers much to reflect on.

The Mother of God established a new bond of sisterhood among women. Her visit to Elizabeth was an act of love for God. This visit created a powerful statement of sisterhood, which in today’s terms is almost lacking among women. Although much has been done to promote fellowship, the powerful bond of spiritual sisterhood observed between Mary and Elizabeth is almost non-existent. It is something women do not want to acknowledge.

Can the visit of the Mother of God more than 2000 years ago encourage post-modernism today? What benefit does it hold for women in a contemporary world?

Elizabeth was surprised by the visit and directed a question to the Mother of God: “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:43). The Mother of God responded by a song of praise, glorifying the Almighty. (Lk 1:46-55).

The Mother of God’s visit broke down barriers of class, status and culture. She encouraged respect for the creation of God, for human dignity and promoted the virtue of humility, a characteristic of leadership.

Unfortunately today our self-made barriers are still visible and rooted in modernism. There is a need to embrace a post-modern approach: a culture of creating social cohesion, building unity to achieve a sustainable community, positive values, morals and principles. Post-modernism provides opportunity to rebuild the social fabric of our society. It requires spirituality to be integrated into everyday life: from home to church, to the work place, to socialising.

The sisterhood of the Mother of God should facilitate women’s responses, leading them towards a God-inspired life, with Jesus at the centre. It should eliminate self-made barriers. Women should unite, bonded in the love of the Holy Trinity. The visit of the Mother of God serves as a symbol of love, obedience, respect, hope, unity, compassion, humility, fellowship, selfless service and leadership. It is an authentic gesture to acknowledge the Spirit of God in another human being. It is an act of collaboration, allowing God to work through her to her cousin, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth’s response is an indication of how receptive we should be during encounters with another person. Today, more than ever, God needs the willingness of women to convey his message and become a pencil in his hand.

The sisterhood facilitated by the Mother of God focus on teamwork and leadership, encourages group cohesion, support mission accomplishment and promote shared vision. It combines action and contemplation, “doing and being”. This framework of sisterhood should become part of our daily activities, inclusive of parish work.

Let us ask the Mother of God to intercede for us in this New Year that we may put the love of neighbour in action as a gift of selfless service and an act of love for the Holy Trinity.