Árdís - 01.01.1953, Page 42

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ÁRDÍ S
Messiah. She was to bear, nurture and care for the Son of Man.
What higher honor could be bestowed on womanhood!
Mary, true to her time, was brought up as submissive and
obedient as any other girl, but from the moment of Gabriel’s
Annunciation she began to change. The ensuing months were not
without pang and ofttimes the young girl’s courage faltered,
at her position in the community, but the knowledge of her Divine
mission sustained her. One can readily imagine the young man
Joseph may, at first, have presented a problem to Mary, but the will
of God prevailed, and before long all was well between the
betrothed couple. Joseph became a tower of strength to the young
mother. It was Mary who became Christ’s first teacher. She it was
who taught Him His first words, supported His first hesitant steps,
dried His baby tears when something caused Him sorrow. Mary,
alone knew of His divine destiny, of His majesty and greatness.
She saw Him grow to beautiful manhood, praying that His life on
earth be a long and happy one. It was she who suffered most keenly
of all that day on Calvary.
Let us consider a moment what kind of son Jesus was to His
mother. He was dutiful and did all He could to help His widowed
mother bring up her young family. He worked diligently at the
carpenter’s bench, and did many many other needful chores. During
those happy unclouded early years, He talked with Mary about
many things. As He grew older and waxed in wisdom, He delighted
in answering and encouraging her questions. He never let His
Divine personality overshadow that of His mother nor did He
overwhelm her with His greatness. He sought her advice on many
occasions and often followed her suggestions. In fact, it pleased
Him greatly to see the mind of His mother develop and blossom.
He never checked her desire to know more of the Kingdom of
God. When He left home, Mary’s mother heart was grieved and
troubled but she knew He must follow His destiny. She had done
her allotted task of guiding and helping the Great Life prepare
for the work ahead. A woman had been given responsibility from
which she did not shirk. Mary had taken the first step in raising
womanhood from the ranks of serfdom to a position of importance.
Mary remains the only woman really educated by Christ and the
thirty years of intimate association with Jesus, had caused in her,
growth of spiritual graces and made her self-restrained and dignified