PHOTO: Mary van Balen The homily at Mass yesterday included a reference to the pelican and the stained glass window depicting a pelican feeding her young. I first encountered this image in an old university building housing the school of theology. Intrigued by the old ceramic tile with the image of a pelican and her young, I made a rubbing of it in my journal and later asked about it.
According to legend predating Christianity, when food was scarce and starvation threatened, the mother pelican would peck at her breast and feed her chicks on her blood, saving them though perhaps dying herself. Christians used the symbol to represent Jesus Christ, who sacrificed his life for all of us.
Often the case with legends, its origin is unknown, though it may have come from the pelican’s habit of pressing its bill to its breast to more completely empty its food pouch. No matter. The image is powerful and an appropriate one to use on Mother’s Day, focusing as it does on the feminine face of God. This day provided me with much to ponder from divine motherhood, the joy of my daughters, and national and international issues that face women and girls around the globe.
Blessed with three daughters who each helped me celebrate the day in their unique ways, I am often reminded that God is our Mother as well as our Father.
After a wonderful, long conversation with my middle daughter, I woke on Mother’s Day to find an e-card from her in my inbox, an unusual event. She had honored me with a donation in my name to the Girl Effect, an organization that addresses issues that prevent young girls from developing in a healthy way into young women who can contribute their gifts to the world. I encourage you to look at the website and view their short video. God’s compassion and demand that we protect and nurture all on our planet, particularly the most vulnerable who are most often girls and women.
My oldest daughter took me out to dinner after my day at work. We talked, laughed, and shared her recent escapades on a small motorcycle race course. Then we watched a movie and laughed some more. We have had many adventures here and abroad, and she always brings a unique blend of common sense, humor, and challenge. God’s stubborn “being with” and propensity to surprise.
When I pulled open the storm door after returning from the movie, I saw a box and two cards balanced on the threshold. One card was from my youngest daughter. A thank you for a “lifetime of love,” it contained an AMC gift card and encouragement to treat myself, even to theater popcorn if I’d like. I smiled. She had been in a wedding on the beach all day and when she tried to call, I was working. Still, she managed to send not only a card, but also the reminder to indulge in something fun and life-giving. God’s desire for each of us to care for ourselves as she does, making sure we are as generous and kind to ourselves as we are to others.
The box and other card? From my “adopted” son, a young man who became part of the family when he and my oldest were in fifth grade. A blessing in countless ways to all of us, he had delivered the cards and box filled with New Orleans pralines from his recent vacation. Sorry I missed his visit, I figured he must have been home in Ohio to spend time with his mother. I confess to enjoying my first Aunt Sally’s creamy praline before going to bed: Heavenly.
After eating the candy and reflecting on my day, I checked my email. There I read an editorial on the House of Representatives alternative to the Senate passed bill renewing the Violence Against Women Act. The Senate version added protection for gay and transsexual persons, increased visas available to undocumented aliens who are abused, and allow prosecution of non-Indian abusers in Indian territories.
Some House Republicans have crafted their own bill, omitting these three new provisions. We must protect women from domestic violence, and women include lesbians, transsexuals, and Indian women abused by non-Indian men. God weeps.
What mother does not want to protect all her children?
Like the pelican of ancient legend, our Divine Mother gives all, her own life, rather than acquiesce to religious and social norms of the day. Every life is important. Every life should be lived free of oppression and harm. In this world, that seems impossible, but we have been charged by Jesus Christ, by the Maker of All, by Divine Mother and Father, to do our best to make it happen.
“Happy Mother’s Day” can be simply sentimental, or it can be a reminder of the great work we have been given to reflect our Mother God’s love into our world.
related links:
The Fight To Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act
Backward on Domestic Violence
Speak Your Mind