Born of the Virgin Mary

In this Christmas season, I have discovered that my heart is hardened to the idea of Mary. Mary, Jesus' mother, her deity and how the catholic church adores her, that just doesn't sit right with me. I was thinking tonight as my stand partner in orchestra told me that she was pregnant, how excited I was for her, but just last week I felt my heart hardened to one of my sorority sisters pregnancy news. The difference is that my stand partner is married and my sorority sister isn't. But that got me thinkin' about Mary, she was an unwed mother, the mother of our Lord was unmarried when she got pregnant. Why in my heart do I not rejoice at my sister's baby, but for my stand partner, I do rejoice. If I had known Mary in her time would I have rejoiced with her? This makes my heart hurt, not rejoicing with our Lord's mother at the birth of our Savior. I know God's at work here, working on my compassion and how to see this world with merciful eyes. Ave Maria Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.