May 2011: “The Love of a Most Tender Mother”
When I first returned to the Church in 1992, a well-intentioned friend told me that men are made in the image of God, and women are made in the image of men. I don’t remember how many months it took me to learn that that was not true, but, anyway, thanks be to God, that I now know that all people (men and women; fathers and mothers; boys and girls, etc.) are made in God’s image. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him: male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).
For the month of May, I would like to share with you some Scriptures, and also some excerpts from St. Faustina’s Diary, that reflect on the maternal qualities of God’s Heart—for you to ponder and pray about. By reading and reflecting on them, I believe that I have experienced a deeper sense of my gift of being made (as a woman, wife, and mother) in God’s image. God’s tender love radiates from our Mother Mary’s Heart (“My soul magnifies the Lord…), and every mother’s love (every woman’s love) is a small portion of the gentle love of our God.
“Jesus, You are my Mother, You are my all! It is with simplicity and love, with faith and trust that I will always come to You, O Jesus! I will share everything with You, as a child with its loving Mother, my joys and sorrows—in a word, everything.”
(Diary #230)
“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast;
like a child that is quieted is my soul.”
(Psalm 131:2)
“Jesus, I trust in You! Jesus, I love you with all my heart!
When times are most difficult, You are my Mother.
(Diary #239)
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion
on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
(Isaiah 49:15)
O God, how much I desire to be a small child. You are my Father,
and You know how little and weak I am. So I beg You, keep me close by Your side all my life
and especially at the hour of my death. Jesus, I know that your goodness surpasses
the goodness of a most tender mother.”
(Diary #242)
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
(Isaiah 66:13)
O my Jesus, the Life, the Way, and the Truth, I beg you to keep me close to You
as a mother holds a baby to her bosom, for I am not only a helpless child,
but an accumulation of misery and nothingness.”
(Diary #298)
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you!
How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers a brood
under her wings, and you would not!”
(Matthew 23:37)
All my nothingness is drowned in the sea of Your Mercy. With the confidence of a child,
I throw myself into Your arms, O Father of Mercy, to make up for the unbelief of so many souls
who are afraid to trust in You. O how very few souls really know You! How ardently I desire
that the Feast of Mercy be known by souls! Mercy is the crown of Your works;
You provide for all with the love of a most tender mother.
(Diary #505)
When I first returned to the Church in 1992, a well-intentioned friend told me that men are made in the image of God, and women are made in the image of men. I don’t remember how many months it took me to learn that that was not true, but, anyway, thanks be to God, that I now know that all people (men and women; fathers and mothers; boys and girls, etc.) are made in God’s image. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him: male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).
For the month of May, I would like to share with you some Scriptures, and also some excerpts from St. Faustina’s Diary, that reflect on the maternal qualities of God’s Heart—for you to ponder and pray about. By reading and reflecting on them, I believe that I have experienced a deeper sense of my gift of being made (as a woman, wife, and mother) in God’s image. God’s tender love radiates from our Mother Mary’s Heart (“My soul magnifies the Lord…), and every mother’s love (every woman’s love) is a small portion of the gentle love of our God.
“Jesus, You are my Mother, You are my all! It is with simplicity and love, with faith and trust that I will always come to You, O Jesus! I will share everything with You, as a child with its loving Mother, my joys and sorrows—in a word, everything.”
(Diary #230)
“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast;
like a child that is quieted is my soul.”
(Psalm 131:2)
“Jesus, I trust in You! Jesus, I love you with all my heart!
When times are most difficult, You are my Mother.
(Diary #239)
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion
on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
(Isaiah 49:15)
O God, how much I desire to be a small child. You are my Father,
and You know how little and weak I am. So I beg You, keep me close by Your side all my life
and especially at the hour of my death. Jesus, I know that your goodness surpasses
the goodness of a most tender mother.”
(Diary #242)
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
(Isaiah 66:13)
O my Jesus, the Life, the Way, and the Truth, I beg you to keep me close to You
as a mother holds a baby to her bosom, for I am not only a helpless child,
but an accumulation of misery and nothingness.”
(Diary #298)
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you!
How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers a brood
under her wings, and you would not!”
(Matthew 23:37)
All my nothingness is drowned in the sea of Your Mercy. With the confidence of a child,
I throw myself into Your arms, O Father of Mercy, to make up for the unbelief of so many souls
who are afraid to trust in You. O how very few souls really know You! How ardently I desire
that the Feast of Mercy be known by souls! Mercy is the crown of Your works;
You provide for all with the love of a most tender mother.
(Diary #505)
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