Can I Call You Mommy?

It’s such a powerful name. Mommy means “I trust you.” Mommy means “You will protect me.” Mommy is for shouting when you need someone dependable and for laughing with when you are excited; Mommy is for crying on and cuddling with when you are sad or giggling and hiding behind when you are embarrassed. Mommy is the fixer of boo-boos and the mender of broken hearts. Mommy is a comfort place, a safe place. Mommy means you are mine and I am yours and we are family.

Katie Davis starts chapter 5 of her book, Kisses from Katie, with these words. She describes her journey of becoming a mommy to 14 little girls in Uganda, whom she adopted. However, this can also be a beautiful reflection when we consider the motherhood of Mary, and how the child Jesus may have related to her. Can you picture Mary kissing Jesus’ “boo-boos”…Jesus hiding behind Mary’s dress…or shouting “mommy” in excitement and joy?

More importantly, “mommy is a comfort place, a safe place.” As we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, we can also reflect on Mary as our mother, our place of refuge and comfort. Because “Mommy means, I trust you. Mommy means, You will protect me. Mommy means you are mine and I am yours.” When we have this relationship of trust with Mary, we can be assured of her love and protection of us, of her tender merciful love.