MARY, MOTHER OF GOD AND WORLD DAY OF PEACE

Scientists of human development, psychology and neuroscience are all in agreement that the loving gaze from a mother to a child is a vital part of one’s growth into a healthy integrated human person. There is something about that long, loving look into the eyes of another human being that deeply affects our brain. And, if the eyes are, indeed, the window to the soul, then a loving gaze also affects our soul. Is this insight perhaps at the root of the beautiful image from today’s scriptures of God’s face shining upon us in love?

Another commonly observed fact about human beings is that trauma, neglect or even poor childhood experiences tend to be cyclical. Those who are not given the care that is required in their earliest days, grow up to be poor caregivers themselves. Often, they have problems developing healthy relationships in other areas of their lives as well. In other words, hurt people, hurt people.

To the degree that we are insecure, that we have unresolved angers, fears and resentments, we can act aggressively or harmfully towards others. We are more likely to blame groups of people for the problems we experience – racial groups, class groups, nations. Any group will do when we are feeling vulnerable. To the degree that we are secure, grounded, centred and free, we are able to act with a generosity of spirit, to be kind to the stranger and not threatened by them, even to love our enemy. Fundamentally, if we want to have a peaceful world, we need to be peaceful people. There is a well-known teaching from the Confucian tradition which says:

“If there is to be peace in the world,
there must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
there must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
there must be peace between neighbours.
If there is to be peace between neighbours,
there must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
there must be peace in the heart.”

And where does such a peaceful heart come from? It comes from one who knows they are deeply, unconditionally loved. For most people this experience comes first from a mother and a father.

It is no coincidence then that we celebrate World Day of Peace and the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God on the same day. For those of us who are Christian, we may also experience that soul-nurturing love from Mary, Mother of Jesus and mother of all who call him brother. I suspect that placing ourselves regularly before this loving motherly gaze may also convey to us a sense of how deeply cherished we are. The more profoundly we sense this love, the more profoundly we believe it. And from such a sense of security, we can manifest a similar gaze of love toward our brothers and sisters. This is vital for peace in our hearts and peace in our world.

Christine Way Skinner is a doctoral student at Regis St. Michael’s at the Toronto School of Theology and has been a lay pastoral minister for more than 30 years. Together with her husband, Michael, she has parented 6 wonderful children. She has written a number of books for Novalis on living the Catholic faith for both adults and children.