I didn’t know what to say, and yet words of comfort seemed to come from my lips. We sat there, in the cozy Bob Evans down the street from the hospital, and I tried to keep myself from resorting to joking or bantering.
As my mother-in-law ordered her salad and coffee, I realized I was not at a table in a homey Ohio restaurant, but that I was in a time machine.
Had it already been eight years since I had picked up my mother-in-law from the hospital to take her for a bite to eat after one of the hardest mornings of her life? She had ordered coffee and soup on that October morning, and though her eyes were red, she didn’t really cry. I wanted to sob, though I didn’t really know how. Crying wasn’t my job. I was there to be transportation and lunch provider.
That morning, we had gotten the call that her daughter’s baby had died in utero. Someone had taken her down to the hospital to be there, and I was picking her up to take her home.
The rest of my column this week, reflecting on Our Lady of Sorrows, is at Today’s Catholic Woman.
Hello Sarah,
I’m leaving my comment here because I don’t have a log-in at Catholic Woman’s (yet). I really liked your colum and totally agree with the message that Mary can be an abundant source of graces and comfort when we suffer. But one little thing stood out for me. You write that Mary could not have sinned. What led you to write that? So far my understanding is that Mary was born without original sin, therefore she was unburdened by that. But Eve was born without original sin too and did sin. For me that is what made Mary different and therefore important and an example to us all. Just curious…
Ute, thanks for your comment and kind words.
When I started thinking about your question about Mary’s sin, one thing came to mind: maybe my wording wasn’t the best. It’s not that Mary COULDN’T have sinned; it’s that Mary CHOSE not to. Yes, Eve was born/made without sin, but one of the reasons we call Mary the “New Eve” is because she was the chance to redeem all that.
And I apologize that I can’t reply with more this morning, but I wanted to share this and a couple of links. Feel free to keep the conversation going, either here in the combox or via email (see sidebar).
Here are a couple of quick links:
http://www.ewtn.com/faith/Teachings/marya2.htm
http://www.ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/jp2bvm24.htm
Ute, another thing I thought of (and was actually referred to by a friend)…check out http://www.BustedHalo.com. They have a question & answer feature; all the questions come from readers who submit them on the Question Box page. The answers are very down-to-earth and short and to the point.
Hope I’ve helped a bit!
Thank you for all the references. I’ll make sure to check them out!