The Teachings of Mama Mary

Serenade is the tradition unique in the Philippines. It is commonly done by a man courting a lady in provinces; but on last Wednesday, I went to Mass and witnessed for the first time a serenade for Mama Mary (Harana Para Kay Maria, the title in Filipino) in celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Prior to the Mass, different choirs sang to honor the woman who gave birth to Jesus our Savior.

“Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23

Just as many religions there are so is the conception about Mary resulting to debate online or offline. But I wouldn’t add up to the crowd with disagreement; rather I want to emphasize the teachings of Mary we ought to emulate though hard. We can gradually possess and make the following lessons part of our everyday life:

Obedience

The prophecy was fulfilled because Mary accepted God’s will as portrayed in the Annunciation, the first mystery of the rosary. With our ability to think and reason, it’s human nature to ask and demand explanation. But without a doubt Mary said, “Thy will be done.” Amidst the uncertainty of what lies ahead can we become obedient and fulfill a task whether small or great?

Faith

I’ve read before that obedience is the best manifestation of faith to God. Because of Mary’s unwavering trust to God, she was chosen to beget Jesus Christ and she remained faithful even in front of crucified Jesus. Faith doesn’t promise us to live a life without hardship, sorrow, and tragedy; instead, it is the source of our strength as we our reminded that God never forsake us. Through it all, He works in ways too great for us to imagine.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.”   Hebrew 1:1

Humility

When angle Gabriel appeared and heralded the good news, Mary didn’t regard herself as someone of high rank; humility flows naturally as Mary humbles herself being the servant of God. In our society everyone seems racing to the top, the position some assumed that gave the authority to belittle others. Forgetting the fact that whatever we have comes from God. Therefore we cannot boast of anything. To keep our feet on the ground, let’s think of the things we possess or what we’ve become or still trying to achieve that these are all “For the greater glory of God.” It is the motto of St. Ignatius of Loyola we ought to bear in our mind then we can fight the temptation to be proud.

For a moment, detach yourself from worldly concerns and make self-examination. What is the level of your obedience, faith, and humility: is it increasing, stagnant, or sadly diminishing? Mary has shown these lessons thousands of yeas ago and she is still reminding us every time we pray the rosary. Experiences and great personalities can teach and change our perspective, but let’s not forget the lessons of the woman, the mother, who committed her life to our Creator.