If Mary Were Alive Today

If Mary were alive today, what would she be like?

Would we love her the way we think we do? 

The scriptures record her as a very real woman 

with a very real past. 

I’m not so sure she’d be at the top of everyone’s social list. 

Don’t get me wrong,

I think it’s lovely that people like her now; 

it’s just that I’m not so sure they loved her then 

as much as we do now. 

Women weren’t particularly thought of that highly anyway.

In fact, there were probably many reasons 

that she didn’t quite fit inside the parameters 

of the roles of women of her day

And she was, more likely than not, 

left out more often than included.

Of course, we never treat women that way today.

We have grown, have we not—beyond 

jumping to conclusions and making judgments? 

Today we understand that life is a journey 

and that our many experiences prepare us to serve in the world.

We allow all people latitude on their journey

And we practice grace in our relationships with others. 

Well, in lieu of accomplishing total acceptance 

at least we honor those who are dead,

like saints and such.

So if Mary were alive today, 

I wonder how she might see the world

and how we might treat her?

Perhaps we might use our love for her 

and our understanding of her life 

to learn how to love and accept others. 

In reality, what we love about Mary 

is that she represents us all.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus. 

Completely whole. 

Fully loved.