“Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19.)”
This was said of the Theotokos at the time of Christ’s birth. In the stillness of the night angel voices rang out in songs of praise saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace goodwill towards men.” The shepherds who were near, said to one another, “Let us go now to worship and see what has taken place which the Lord has made known to us.” They went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and the newly born Christ child who was lying in a manger. When they beheld the glory of this night, the sweetness of the new Mother, the strength of Joseph, the Betrothed, and the Glory of Christ the Son of God born as a baby, they scarce could take it in. The shepherds returned home glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard as it had been told to them. Luke 2:19” Mary taking in all that had taken place that night, kept these things and pondered them in her heart.
The Theotokos became the keeper of these things. She is the keeper of virtues. Wrapped in her personhood are the virtues of humility, obedience, simplicity, grace and purity of heart and soul and those virtues are evident in all aspects of her life. Her humility and obedience were ever present when the Angel Gabriel came to her and announced, she would conceive and bear a son, the Son of God even though she had not known a man. “Behold, the servant of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.” And Mary became the mother of God. Her simplicity, grace and purity of heart and soul would be lived out in her daily activities. She kept the Jewish laws as a woman, honored her Betrothed and loved her Son and our God tremendously. By her example we must strive to obtain these virtues.
The Theotokos became the keeper of her home. She made the clothes they wore and kept them clean. She gathered water and ground grain and would make bread every morning. She went to the marketplace to purchase food. She cooked and cleaned the home. She tended to the needs of her Son and would teach Him the things of the Jewish faith. St. Cyril of Alexandria wrote, “Mary would take hold of Jesus’ hand and lead Him along the paths saying ‘My darling, walk a little way.’ And he clung to her with His little hands, stopping now and then and hanging on to her skirts until she would lift Him up, in her arms to carry Him.’” She attended Temple worship and kept the rituals of the Jewish feasts. By her example, we must become the keeper of our home.
The Theotokos became the keeper of memories. We are not privy to much of Jesus’ childhood. I believe though the Theotokos has all of those childhood memories tucked away deep within her heart. She has precious memories of His childhood, His ministry, the healings He performed, memories of His disciples and friends, His teachings, what made Him happy and what made Him sad and His relationship with the Father. As mom’s we have these memories of our childhood, memories of our spouses and of our children. We keep them hidden in our hearts and pull them out to remember.
And by her example we become the keeper of the memories.
The Theotokos is the keeper of tears. Our children can be our greatest joy and our greatest sorrow. “O most Holy Virgin and mother – hearing the prophecy of the Righteous Simeon, “A sword shall pierce through your own soul,” you kept all these sayings in your heart, understanding that the joy of a mother’s heart over her children can be accompanied with much grief in this world. (Taken from the Akathist To the Theotokos – Joy of all who Sorrow.)”
She bore the blasphemies that were hurled against her Son and our God. She walked with Him on the road to Golgotha and witnessed Him being mocked, beaten and crucified. She kept all these things in her heart. Her tears flowed so freely as she witnessed His suffering. “Oh, my Jesus, O my Savior, Mary cried to Him, ‘Oh my Son how can I lay you in a grave? The prophecy of the elder Symeon finds fulfillment; for the sword whereof, he spoke has now pieced my heart, rendering me with sorrow, Oh Emmanuel. (Lamentations)” The Theotokos bore His three-day entombment and waited grief stricken for His resurrection.
Her tears were turned to joy at the rising of her Son. His resurrection ended her intense grief and filled her with the knowledge that her Son had become the Savior of the world. “Grant unto Your church peace by Your Resurrection to Your flock, salvation. (Lamentations)”
By example we must become keepers of our tears. Like Mary we carry tears of intense joy and of intense sorrow for our children, our family and friends, for unforeseen illnesses, of births and deaths, of marriages and graduations.
Finally, my dear ones, and probably the most important, Mary the Theotokos is the keeper of us. God gave her to us as an advocate. She prays for us unceasingly. We know she imitates God’s love for us because of her intercessory prayers. We can run to her with our joys, our heartaches and our dreams with confidence she will listen and take them to her Son on our behalf.
“Steadfast protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the Creator: despise not the cries of us sinners, but in your goodness, come speedily to help us who call upon you in faith. Hasten to hear our petitions and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you. (Taken from the Canon of the Theotokos).”
