Maternal and divine joy: reflections on happiness through Mary
Maria, the Source of Joy
In the Bible, we witness God’s sorrow over human sin. In Genesis 6:6, we read that “The Lord regretted having made man on the earth, and it grieved Him deeply.” Yet, in His merciful love, God seeks to liberate humanity from evil. He offers an unmistakable sign of His love’s plan: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). This sign is fulfilled through the angel’s announcement to Mary: “Rejoice, highly favored one! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28-29). In Mary, the dawn of a new humanity breaks, restoring “the smile of God.”Mary, the Source of Joy
Christians, and especially the saints, have always recognized Mary as the source of joy. In the liturgy, she is celebrated as “the cause of our joy,” “the joy of Israel,” symbolizing the world’s renewal by God. This is evident in the way Christians worldwide celebrate Marian feasts and visit her shrines. Mary is Immaculate, totally devoted to God, the source of eternal happiness. Her joy deepens further as the Mother of God’s Son, who “came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 15:11). Her “yes” makes her the Mother of the Savior, and she expresses this incomparable joy in the Magnificat: “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-55). Thus, Mary, even before Simeon’s concerning words in the temple, remains a joyful mother, testifying to Jesus’ growth “in wisdom, and in stature, and in grace before God and men” (Luke 2:40).Joy in the Midst of Sorrow
Joy and sorrow are usually seen as opposites, but not in a mother’s heart, especially not in Mary’s. She finds joy in God’s will, both for herself and for Jesus and the children (the Church) entrusted to her at the Cross. Note the popular devotion to the “Seven Sorrows of Mary,” which corresponds to the “Seven Joys of Mary,” from the Annunciation to her Assumption. This fusion of joy and sorrow is seen at Christmas in Bethlehem, at Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple, in their flight to Egypt, in Jesus’ encounters in the Temple, in his trials, triumphs, and finally, in his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.With Alleluia in Her Heart
The Resurrection of Jesus was a burst of joy for those who believed in Him. Although the Gospels do not record a meeting between the Risen Lord and His Mother, it is reasonable to believe that Mary, filled with faith, did not need apparitions to confirm the Resurrection. Saint John Paul II reflected on this on May 22, 1997, suggesting that Mary was the first to receive the news of the Resurrection. Thus, the first Alleluia of Easter was echoed in Mary’s heart, Mother of the Risen One.
Mary: Maternal Comfort and Support
In the trial of the Passion to the Ascension of Jesus, it is Mary who offers comfort and encouragement to the disciples, remaining united to Christ in faith and hope. Throughout the centuries, Mary has been a pillar of support for the disciples of Jesus, reinforcing the saving faith and the hope that does not disappoint.
Living Like Her
Mary is the supreme example for all Christians, called to imitate “our Mother in faith“. Following Mary, we learn to transform pain into love, to find joy in God’s will, and to be sources of joy and comfort for others. Mary teaches us to look beyond ourselves, as she did in her visit to Elizabeth and at the Wedding of Cana.
With Her, We Learn to Be Happy
In Mary, we learn to have a serene faith and confident hope, even in difficulties. Imitating the “Mother of Joy,” we learn to value others and find joy in loving service, remembering the words of Saint Francis of Assisi: “It is in giving that we receive.” In God’s will, we find our joy and peace.Reflecting on Mary’s unique role in the history of salvation and in the life of the Church, the reader gains a deeper understanding of her importance as a source of joy and comfort. Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our spiritual mother, emerges as an icon of hope and joy, not only in times of peace and happiness, but also in moments of trial and suffering.Mary’s life shows that true joy is not the absence of pain, but the presence of love and faith. Her ability to find joy in God’s will, even when that will led her down a path of pain and sacrifice, offers a model of faith and trust that we, as Christians, are called to follow. Mary’s smile, remembered by an elementary school student as “the most beautiful thing in the world,” reflects the joy that transcends earthly circumstances, anchored in God’s promise and His constant presence.Moreover, Mary teaches us the value of transforming our trials into opportunities for spiritual growth and deepening our trust in God. Her life is a testament that true and lasting joy is found in complete surrender to God’s will and in loving service to others.Contemplating Mary as the “Mother of Joy” and the “Comforter of the Afflicted,” we are inspired to live our own lives with renewed faith and genuine joy. She encourages us to embrace life with courage, confidence, and love, regardless of the challenges we face.Therefore, when we look at Mary, we see the manifestation of God’s joy, a joy that is not fleeting or superficial, but deep, transformative, and eternal. She is the bright sign of hope for the world, a constant reminder that even in the darkest shadows, the light of God’s love always prevails. In Mary, we find not only a mother and intercessor, but also a constant companion on our journey of faith, guiding us ever closer to the loving heart of her Son, Jesus Christ.The joy that Mary radiates is the fruit of her complete openness to God. The encyclical Redemptoris MaterPope John Paul II contemplates this joyful and maternal dimension of Mary in the history of salvation. Read the document in Redemptoris Mater (John Paul II).Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and Graduate Studies in Mariology.
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