Mother of Pearl: Quarantined with the Mother of God

How are you handling quarantine? Have you asked your Mom for help? Today, Jeff shares some insight on the imagery of a pearl, and Mary as the mother of pearls. As we continue to have our lives altered and interrupted by the Coronavirus, Jeff offers some practical advice on how to lean on the support of our Mother, who knows all our sufferings.

How are you handling quarantine? Have you asked your Mom for help? Today, Jeff shares some insight on the imagery of a pearl, and Mary as the mother of pearls. As we continue to have our lives altered and interrupted by the Coronavirus, Jeff offers some practical advice on how to lean on the support of our Mother, who knows all our sufferings.

Snippet from the Show

“Connection is more important than perfection.”

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“A beautiful pearl can come from this confinement.”

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Shownotes

3 Types of Pearls

1. Natural Pearls – form when an irritant works its way into a mussel or clam, and the organism defends itself through a certain liquid that over time forms a pearl
2. Cultured Pearls – very similar process, however the irritant is actually implanted into the organism, called a “mother of pearl”
   1. These pearls require special care and about 3 years to form
3. Imitation Pearls – these are other sediments or rocks that are smoothed and coated to appear as pearls

Pope St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Mater

John 2:1-11 – “On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”

Redemptor Mater, p. 21 – “But it has a symbolic value: this coming to the aid of human needs means, at the same time, bringing those needs within the radius of Christ’s messianic mission and salvific power. Thus there is a mediation: Mary places herself between her Son and mankind in the reality of their wants, needs and sufferings. She puts herself “in the middle,” that is to say she acts as a mediatrix not as an outsider, but in her position as mother.”

John 19:25-27 – “So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag′dalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

4 Quick Tips for Embracing Your Mother During Quarantine

1. Cry out for help
2. Pray the rosary
3. Thank her for interceding at the foot of your cross
4. Make a list of your wants, needs, and sufferings, and ask for her intercession

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Resources

• Email us at tjcs@ascensionpress.com 
• Text “jeffcavins” to 33-777 to subscribe and get added to Jeff’s shownotes email list!
• A video message from Jeff Cavins
• Learn about more of what Ascension is doing during the coronavirus here.
• The Pearl by John Steinbeck
• How to Pray Like Mary by Sonja Corbitt

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