IT’S A STORY:

OUR MOTHER OF 
PERPETUAL  HELP

It’s a story – everybody’s story – a child is scared and runs to his mother and then is scooped up into her arms – almost losing his sandal in the running.

It’s a story – everybody’s story – a mom holding her child – calming him down – and then looking out to see if there is anybody else who needs help.

It’s a story – everybody’s story – hands that are held and hands that are held onto – the need to hold and be held by another – the need to stay close to each other.

It’s a story – everybody’s story – sometimes people have eyes that look right into our soul and sometimes people have eyes that are looking elsewhere.

It’s a story – everybody’s story – that there are angels – messengers who bring us cues and clues about life. In the picture of Our Mother of Perpetual Help they are named Michael, on the left looking out – and Gabriel, on the right looking out. Who have been the angels in our life?

It’s a story – everybody’s story – that these messengers, these angels, sometimes tell us of the reality of future suffering in our life – showing us the cross of death we’ll have to face when our way of the cross leads to our Calvary – as well as the sharp spears that stab us in the side and the sponges filled with bitter vinegar that we have to taste.

It’s a story – everybody’s story – the beauty and dignity of women and children.

It’s a story – everybody’s story – to be a strong wall of protection and security for all – especially children.

It’s a story – everybody’s story – to become holy, saints, bathed in halos of light, to become light to the world because of Jesus: The Light of the World.

It’s a story – everybody’s story – to read the handwriting on the wall – the handwriting on the pictures of our life, to study them carefully. It may be Greek to us, but in the famous picture of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, the writing tells us: Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is Mother of God – and Jesus is the Christ – the Anointed One.

It’s a story – everybody’s story – to have their picture put in a prominent place – to be honored, respected, remembered and loved.

© Andrew Costello, CSSR