St. John the Evangelist bravely stands vigil alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary at the foot of the cross. In the most incredible act of love, Jesus strains to fill His lungs with air, and with just a few words, gives Mary to the world and institutes her spiritual motherhood when He proclaims from the Cross, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He says to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27a).
This incredible gift of Mary as a mother is not only for John but for every disciple. For you and for me. At that moment, each disciple becomes a beloved son and daughter of this woman who epitomizes every virtue and is full of grace. Mary, chosen by God to be the Mother of His only Begotten Son, is then beautifully given in an act of sheer love to be the Mother of every one of us. Her life, an example of trust and faith, illustrates the goodness and fidelity of God. Her portrait of holiness provides each of us a reason to hold on to hope. She is indeed the Mother of Hope, the Mother of Expectant Hope.
New life springs forth at the end of winter; it is not by accident we find Easter amid this season. As we emerge from the cold, dark, barren winter, especially here in the Northeast, every harbinger of warmer weather and longer days brings lightness and a glimmer of the joy of rebirth. Even on the coldest, darkest night, we do not despair as we remember the temporary nature of each day, knowing soon enough, we'll once again bask in the sun. Lent can hold a similar quality of bleakness, an air of endlessness for anyone longing for their sacrificed pleasure or singing of the Alleluia once again.
Perseverance is rewarded when Easter arrives, reminding us how Jesus brings new life to our world, our Church, and our hearts—not only in the redemptive work He accomplished on the Cross 2,000 years ago but by His glorious workings still today. Our hope in Jesus is never misplaced. He always keeps promises, the greatest of these being our redemption and the hope of heaven.
In the nearly twenty years I've worked in women's ministry, I have been blessed to meet many incredible women. Women typically go on retreat with hearts filled with many questions hoping this time of stepping away and listening to God will help them find answers. Some arrive anxious, filled with doubt, and even on the edge of despair. They've come seeking some spark of wisdom or a word to restore their brokenness or sustain them on their spiritual journey.
My retreats often begin with the Rosary—a meditation on the joyful mysteries and a look at Mary's incredible example of trusting in God's plan. Of relying on God's promise to bring good, even when unsure what it will look like or how it will be accomplished. Whatever follows during the retreat, we believe this special time in prayer with the Blessed Virgin Mary has laid a foundation for retreatants to receive whatever graces the Lord has prepared for them that day.
We pray with expectant hope for the plan of sheer goodness God has for us. We pray with our spiritual Mother, whose maternal care never fails to lead us from sorrow to joy. We pray to be, as Mary—trusting, obedient, humble, and hopeful. Spring brings new life and new beginnings.
We can behold with Mary the joy of Jesus' Resurrection shared in the Easter season and how this refreshes and strengthens our resolve to remember that He has overcome every trouble this world may bring. Holding the Rosary as if we are holding Mary's hand, we emerge from the darkness of Lent into the Light of Easter with our hope renewed.
