I talk often of how I feel I’ve been called to be a wife and mother — for the most part, I embrace it whole heartedly. Sometimes, however, I get discouraged by the mundane tasks of marriage and motherhood. I need to ‘keep it simple’, and remember that imitating Christ begins at home.
Matthew 25:34-40
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the king will answer them, “Truly, I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
Instead of complaining inside, about the drudgery of my household tasks, I need to focus on these corporal works of mercy. Feeding my children and husband, packing sippy cups for a road trip, dressing my sweet babies after a bath, and taking care of my sick baby boy somehow mean so much more after reflecting on this passage.
This week, I’m also highlighting one of my favorite Marian apparitions: Our Lady of Lourdes. She is one of my favorite depictions of Our Lady — I even stopped by our local OLOL parish to pray, before I married Brett. (I was a nervous wreck!)
In 1858, Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, a peasant girl, outside Lourdes, France. She revealed herself to be the Immaculate Conception, and asked that a chapel be built there in her honor. A spring that arose there still flows today, and the waters have been thought to have healing powers. Lourdes is the most famous modern shrine to Our Lady today, with over 5 million visitors each year.
Link up, join in, and share some of your favorite Saints and Scripture. We’re heading into Lent, so stay tuned!
Sometimes when we think of corporal works of mercy, we think of the extraordinary stuff to do out in the world. I like the reminder that it applies to the sippy cups and the perpetual dishwasher, meals and snacks and requests for drinks when they’re supposed to be sleeping, the mountain of laundry… the special care when they’re sick. Nice post!