When the Blessed Mother says her historic, momentous, earth-shattering “yes” to God in today’s gospel reading, she probably had little idea that she would become the spiritual mother to all of God’s children. Whoever calls the Father “Abba,” becoming an adopted brother or sister of Christ, is taken into Mary’s maternal heart forever.
As my own children were growing up, it seemed that materialism, immorality, and noise surrounded us on every side. The more I helped my children navigate the world, the more I worried for their happiness and safety. I began experiencing significant anxiety about it, so I turned to the Blessed Mother in a new and fervent way. I began prayerfully imagining our family in a garden, the garden of Mary’s heart. In this figurative garden, even though we would remain actively engaged in the world, we would also be protected, especially spiritually. I would pray, “Mother Mary, we want to live always in the garden of your Immaculate Heart.”
Coincidentally, the year I began praying this way, our family started to experience significant hardship. My husband was unemployed, I was suffering a debilitating physical problem, and my father was dying of cancer. I clung to God like a limpet. Eyes shut, battling against despair, stubbornly hanging on. Our seven-person family was living with my parents during this time. I struggled to recall and believe that our true home, no matter what the circumstances, was the garden of our Mother’s heart.
As Christmas approached that year, we knew it would be a modest celebration. In the days leading up to Christmas, my husband took our five young children to buy me a present at a small-town gift shop. When the gift was presented to me with some pomp and my children eagerly watched me tear off the wrapping paper, they were delighted to observe that their gift had moved me to tears. The plaque they had chosen read, “A mother’s heart is a garden of love.” Yes, it moved me that they felt nourished by the love they received from me, but even more moving was the fact that, through my children’s thoughtful gift, I received new hope. Jesus was confirming the fact that His Mother really was my mother too. Mother Mary was truly sheltering us, giving us a beautiful place in which to undergo this painful, purgative process of transformation, change, and growth.
Whether things are going well, or we are in over our heads, our Blessed Mother was given to us by God Himself to be the kind of mother that is always there for her children, in good times and bad. When she said yes to being the mother of Jesus, she said yes to you and to me. Her maternal heart will forever be a garden of love for all of her offspring (see Rev 12:17).
Cuando la Santísima Virgen dice su histórico y trascendental “sí” a Dios en el evangelio de hoy, probablemente no tenía idea de que se convertiría en la madre espiritual de todos los hijos de Dios. Todos los que llaman al Padre “Abba”, haciéndose hermanos o hermanas adoptivos de Cristo, son acogidos dentro del corazón materno de María para siempre.
Mientras mis propios hijos crecían, parecía que el materialismo, la inmoralidad y el ruido nos rodeaban por todos lados. Mientras más ayudaba a mis hijos a navegar por el mundo, más me preocupaba por su felicidad y seguridad. Empecé a sentir mucha ansiedad a causa de eso, así que volví a nuestra Madre Santa de una manera nueva y ferviente. Comencé a imaginar en la oración a nuestra familia dentro de un jardín, el jardín del corazón de María. En este jardín figurativo, aunque permaneceríamos partícipes activos en el mundo, también estaríamos protegidos, especialmente espiritualmente. Rezaría: “Madre María, queremos vivir siempre dentro del jardín de tu Inmaculado Corazón”.
El mismo año que empecé a rezar de esta forma, por coincidencia nuestra familia empezó a experimentar dificultades significativas. Mi esposo estaba desempleado, yo sufría un problema físico debilitante y mi padre se estaba muriendo de cáncer. Me aferré a Dios como una lapa, con los ojos cerrados, luchando contra la desesperación, aguantando obstinadamente. Nuestra familia de siete personas estaba viviendo con mis padres durante este tiempo. Luchaba por recordar y creer que nuestro verdadero hogar, sin importar las circunstancias, era el jardín del corazón de nuestra Madre.
A medida que se acercaba la Navidad de ese año, sabíamos que sería una celebración modesta. En los días previos a la Navidad, mi esposo llevó a nuestros cinco hijos pequeños a comprarme un regalo en una tiendita de regalos. Cuando mis hijos me entregaron el regalo con cierto orgullo y me observaron ansiosos mientras quitaba el papel de regalo, se alegraron al ver que su regalo me había conmovido y hasta se me salieron las lágrimas. La placa que habían elegido decía: “El corazón de una madre es un jardín de amor”. Sí, me conmovió que se sintieran nutridos por el amor que recibían de mí, pero lo más conmovedor fue que, a través del atento regalo de mis hijos, recibí una nueva esperanza. Jesús estaba confirmando el hecho de que Su Madre era realmente mi madre también. La Madre María realmente nos estaba cobijando, dándonos un hermoso lugar en el cual atravesar este doloroso y purgante proceso de transformación, cambio y crecimiento.
Ya sea que las cosas vayan bien o sentimos que nos estamos ahogando, Dios mismo nos dio a nuestra Santísima Madre para ser el tipo de madre que siempre está presente para sus hijos, en las buenas y en las malas. Cuando dijo que sí a ser la madre de Jesús, dijo que sí a ti y a mí. Su corazón materno será para siempre un jardín de amor para toda su descendencia (cf. Ap 12,17).
Christine Hanus currently lives in Upstate, NY. Though she enjoys writing and her work as a catechist, Christine is primarily a wife, mother, and more recently, grandmother!
Feature Image Credit: TOMOKO UJI, unsplash.com/photos/Oq6Mdb4o6vA
Mike Karpus is a regular guy. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduated from Michigan State University and works as an editor. He is married to a Catholic school principal, raised two daughters who became Catholic school teachers at points in their careers, and now relishes his two grandchildren, including the older one who is fascinated with learning about his faith. He also has served on a Catholic school board, a pastoral council and a parish stewardship committee. He currently is a lector at Mass, a Knight of Columbus, Adult Faith Formation Committee member and a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity organization. But mostly he’s a regular guy.
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and seven grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is 
Susan Ciancio has a BA in psychology and a BA in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, with an MA in liberal studies from Indiana University. For the past 19 years, she has worked as a professional editor and writer, editing both fiction and nonfiction books, magazine articles, blogs, educational lessons, professional materials and website content. Thirteen of those years have been in the pro-life sector. Currently Susan freelances and writes weekly for HLI, edits for American Life League, and is the executive editor of Celebrate Life Magazine. She also serves as executive editor for the Culture of Life Studies Program—an educational nonprofit program for K-12 students. You can reach her at 
Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works full time, is a guest blogger on 
Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, speaker, radio personality, wife, and mother of seven children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mental health and human services from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is the co-founder of 
Elizabeth Tomlin is the author of Joyful Momentum: Building and Sustaining Vibrant Women’s Groups and contributing author to the Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers. She is General Counsel for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Elizabeth is an Army wife and mother of three and currently lives in the DC area. She blogs at 
Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy. 
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