Mystery. That was a word that filled my childhood regarding anything that was just not understood or explainable. Mystery. That was what Mary, Mother of Jesus was for me as a child. As I grew in my understanding and reading of scripture, I began to have glimpses into who Mary was and who she is in my life today. The question always remains, “Who is this Woman?”

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28)

Puzzled by this visit and wondering how this could possibly be happening to her that she would bear a child sent by God. “And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31)

In trust and acceptance Mary responds, “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word,” (Luke 1:38)

Hearing of her relative Elizabeth also being with child in her old age Mary visits her and, “when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary,the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’” (Luke 1:41-42)

This wondering, accepting, caring woman, Mary brings her child to the temple to present him to the Lord. She and Joseph are met by Simeon and Anna. “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary , ‘Behold this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” (Luke 2:34-35)

The pondering, taking all that has been said and done, “treasured up all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51)

And the journey continues. “On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no more wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come .” His mother said to the servant, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:1-12)

The faithful woman walks with her son even to his death. “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman behold your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” (John 12:26-27)

Who is this Woman? This is the woman who moves from wondering, even questioning, to acceptance of God’s grace and action within her. This is the woman who shares this gift with family and all she meets. This woman walks in uncertainty hearing the words of Simeon and yet trusts in God’s power and grace within her son. This is the woman who stands at the cross in sadness and pain yet lives on in hope for the mission.

This woman’s life has much to teach me, to teach each of us about what it means to follow Jesus.

We celebrate her home in heaven and the fullness of God’s life, love and grace within her.

– Netty Johnson, SSND