the greenest grass around

I love the song “Mary did you know?” It is a beautiful song about Mary and the part she played in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. My personal favorite version is from Pentatonix, it is breathtaking. The more and more I hear the song, it makes me ponder. What did Mary know? How prepared was she for the nightmare to come? How did she feel? How did she cope? How did Mary, a mother, deal with the events that saved us from our sins?

Getting back to the topic at hand. I do think Mary knew. I think she knew he was special, more special than a normal bundle of joy. Normal parents are not visited by angels with messages from God. So, yes in the simplest form, Mary knew how special he was.
Luke 1 states the angel, Gabriel said to Mary, “He will be GREAT and will be called the SON OF THE MOST HIGH and the LORD GOD will give him the THRONE of DAVID his father and he will RULE over the HOUSE of Jacob FOREVER, and of his KINGDOM there will be NO END.” We are coming back to this part…

Also, keep in mind that Mary was most likely between 14 and 16 years old at the time of Jesus’ birth. They were most likely poor based on Joseph’s profession as a carpenter, historical sources say that carpentry was viewed more as a religious duty than a profession. But poor does not mean unintelligent. According to the customs of the area, mothers would have put much effort into teaching their children about the scriptures and traditions. Mary had faith in God and her faith and willingness to be available to God, sets her apart. Luke 1:28 states, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” That statement alone lets us know that Mary was different and she did know the importance of her son.

Let’s look back at what Gabriel told Mary though.
He told her that her son would be great, sit on the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob Forever! We know that all of that is true but I personally think what Mary thought her son would do verse what physically happened to him are completely different. When most people think of ruling a kingdom, they think of a large palace with servants. They think of royal purple and crowns with parties and extravagance. They do not think of a baby born in a manger, leaving home and wandering around (essentially homeless), and dying a horrific death.

Let me start by saying I am no biblical scholar. But I cannot imagine what Mary went through. She watched her son grow up, learn, teach, guide others to Christ, perform miracles, and heard of him raising the dead. Then everything changed and she watched him be beaten, stripped, mocked, spit on, and finally killed a criminal’s death all in front of her eyes. Again, yes, Mary knew her son was the Lord most high but I do not think she realized what had to happen to fulfill God’s promise.

As a mother, I can’t help but think she had to think to herself at some point, “No, it wasn’t supposed to be this way.” We all think this at one point or another. We are human and we plan for our future. Mary was no different. I would assume Mary had plans and expectations for her son. Plans for him to grow and expand the Lord’s kingdom, plans for him to rule in the house of David, plans for him to be worshiped and called the Lord most high. I wonder if Mary thought that it wasn’t fair, it wasn’t right, and I wonder if Mary questioned God’s actions and judgment. I wonder if she did these things because I know I did.

I had plans for my son. Plans for him to grow and learn, plans for him to come into his own, find a career in science, and find someone to share a home with. I had plans for us to travel, ride horses, read, and eventually release him out into the world. I had my plans just like Mary did. So when my son tragically died at the age of 12, I questioned everything. I called out to God, begged God for another way, and questioned God, my faith, and my sanity. I had all these feelings about my son and an angel never told me that my son would be great or rule David’s house forever. So how did Mary feel?

I don’t know. I can’t imagine

The only other mention of Mary after Jesus’ death is in Acts 1:13-14, “They (disciples) went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. And these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

Ultimately, we have to remember that only God sees the whole picture. God knew from the beginning what had to happen for our sins to be washed clean. God knew he was sending his son to die a terrible death. But God also knew the impact Jesus would have on others until the end of time. God was the same yesterday, today, and will be the same tomorrow. We put our faith in him and trust in him and his plans. God loves you so much that he sent his Son to die for your sins (John 3:16). God also knows your thoughts and struggles. He knew Mary’s, he knows mine, and he knows yours.

Just like Mary, your life may not be turning out the way you thought it would. Just like me, you may have questioned God’s plan. I pray that you seek God and ask him for his comfort that passes all understanding.

Resources:

The North Star Catholic, The Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau, Father Leo; February 2021. https://northstarcatholic.org/ask-father-leo%E2%80%88was-mary-illiterate/

Mary and Elizabeth: Confirming Angelic Prophecy, Grace for you. March 21, 1999. https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/42-13/mary-and-elizabeth-confirming-angelic-prophecy

What Happened to Mary, The Mother of Jesus, After the Cruxifiion? Jack Wellman, What Christians Want to know. https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-happened-to-mary-the-mother-of-jesus-after-the-crucifixion/