I recently read about a 16 th century shipwreck that was explored off the coast of France. At over a mile and a half under the sea, it was reachable only with very special equipment that could endure the pressure while operating ever so gingerly. Hauled up to the surface ever so slowly were some jugs and plates along with a euphoria that such a treasure is even reachable today. I remember doing some deep dive exploring at the behest of my mother. Going into my mother’s handbag was in some ways like a deep dive into the deepest, darkness ocean depths. Oh, the treasures waiting to be discovered! I would never dare to dive in on my own; it was far too dangerous and scary for a young boy. Besides, I might get a spanking. No, it would only ever happen at my mother’s request. A delicate probing hand was needed. That handbag contained all kinds of treasures long unseen by the light of day. There were mints and hard candies to stave
off famine in a hungry boy. There were tissues for runny noses and cough drops for sore throats. In fact, that bag contained a whole triage darn near comparable to any M.A.S.H. unit. There were pens and papers along with various lotions, lipstick, and lip balm. It was the sewing pins and scissors that a young explorer had to be especially careful of. My mother’s handbag had it all. She was ever so well prepared. I suppose that’s just the nature of being a mom. Our Blessed Mother is the same. I bet that Mary too, had some kind of a bag that she carried so as to always be prepared. I can picture a young, hungering Jesus fishing out some olives or nuts when He and His mother were out and about somewhere. I imagine that there was even a cloth to wipe a little Savior’s runny nose. A mother’s handbag gives insight to the mystery of motherhood. Every mother takes care to provide for her children and anticipate their needs. This is even truer of the Blessed Mother. No, my mother’s handbag didn’t contain everything a young boy could ever possibly need or want at any given moment, but Mary’s does. It contains treasures unseen and unheard of. We need only ask her request to put our hands gently into her bag and then begin to explore as her own Son did many years ago. It is then that we discover that Jesus put more things into Mary’s bag than He took out. It is these treasures that await Mary’s children today. It’s Mother’s Day and it’s time to start exploring. What treasure will you find? Happy Mother’s Day!
Peace!
Fr. Wilson