Ave Maria! Our Lady of Velankanni Pray for us!: Motherhood and Bravery

Motherhood and bravery are inseparable qualities. In the natural world, the women is gentle as she can be until she becomes a mother. Once a woman has attained the motherhood, a great gift of God to the nature, she becomes very brave, as protective role begins for her children. There is no match for a mother in nature in protecting her children, this quality applies to all types of culture, irrespective of the structure and norms of the culture, whether it be matriarchal or patriarchal. It  is a saying that God gifted a mother for everybody to care like Him to His creation. It is very true in the normal natural world. There are always existence of those exceptions to the norm and deviations to the norm, in any situation. Whereas, a mother is brave for her children.
In this so call post modern world, where there is no clear distinction between ethical boundaries, where relativism has taken root and control of every human authentic ideas, understanding, association, relations, and responsibilities; where there is blurring of boundaries upon which human discernment is challenged; where the compromises are made in the gentle and appealing names of individualism, individual rights, individual privacy, and so on so forth as the fruits of hedonistic utilitarianism. In this context, natural motherhood is being altered, defiled, degraded, underestimated, undermined, and even abolished in many cultures, as a victim. If I may say that motherhood is traveling towards its extinction due lack of it bravery to protect her womb, in our times. That in turn resulting in the horizon of extinction of humanity slowly and steadily lack of love, determination, responsibility, commitment, and bravery of the mothers of our time. This is not a overstatement, it is an iceberg statement about the current status of human motherhood, which has evolved from the alteration of human family structure, roles, and functions. Attack on the families on rise from the garden of Eden in the mystical realm, it is more in the natural realm in our days.

Mother and motherhood are the foundation of any family. Motherhood transforms a woman into the roles of co-creation, co-protection, and co-providence. A child without a mother may undergo many trials and testings, and sufferings in growing up. The child is safe when a mother is nearby. In my opinion, becoming a mother and transforming into the roles of motherhood takes man, woman, and God. Any one of the component in this equation is altered, then the motherhood may not be able to attain its potential purpose in life.The structure of a family is Man, woman, and God. They are called as essential forms of a family. Their functions and roles are distinct in nature, uncompromising in importance, and irreplaceable by other. Although, this is the structure God planned in the garden of Eden, we have invented many things to alter the structure of the family by conforming to the world standards. Although Holy Family structure is applicable to the whole world, although motherhood is a common phenomenon for all nature, to be precise, Christian motherhood is the fruit of this triune structure. Christian motherhood is sacred, sanctified, and serves as an example to the world, as it shines within the structure of Holy Family. It is the faith and the gifts of Holy Spirit which lives within the family shines as a witness through family life. Living a call of family life in this world, in our times, is a major challenge.



Mary the mother of God was brave in becoming the mother of God. Her family life was within the structure of Holy family  including, Joseph, Holy Spirit and she. There is abundance of real authentic joy within the family life, which is guided by God. However, there is many roads of suffering, sacrifices, endurance, at times survival, self denial, and humbling journeys are common along the family life. Mother of God was not exception from this natural truth. In fact, her pain was even more than any human family, as she was a mother of the savior. There was a constant pain in her womb and heart that came from the truth that her son is the Messiah. She knew by her faith about the life of the Messiah. She was pondering her call throughout her life. The pain and sufferings from her very call to become a mother of the savior is heavy enough for her life. Above that she also underwent the natural sufferings that would come from the natural motherhood. Wherever there is a responsibility of committed love there is a risk of getting wounded like a warrior and a constant demand for forgiveness. Likewise, mother of  God's  transformation life of motherhood was not easy at all. The first challenge came from her very dear Joseph himself.  It began as a doubt from Joseph. Mary maintained her pondering faith, humility, and obedience through absolute trust in God, as Joseph was working on his call of Fatherhood, which was his call. Mary was brave to undergo this suffering to maintain the holy family.


The following is a poem written as if interviewing Joseph's faith:
I went to see Joseph the foster father of Jesus
Interviewing his faith in leading the holy family
He in his speaking
Reflecting and recounting:
I was an ordinary man
When I heard the news of incarnation
Doubts prevailed over me
Shame of betrayal all over me
Humiliation threatened within me
I died within myself
Questioning the will of God
In accepting Mary
Who had virgin incarnation
Nightmares were my sleeps
Fighting restless heart
But in that moment in silent
In that moment
Only thing crossed my mind
I knew my God
The God I love and serve
I knew His mercy
I knew my God would
Never let me down
As He knew my heart’s desire
If this is His will
His name will be glorified
In my humility
In this faith
I made decision to obey
God’s will in leading Holy family
When I was clarified
My genuine understanding
Through Holy angel
There I saw He put His angels
In charge of me

Poem Source: Creative Life: A Contemplation: Annapoorna Mary