chris@mcdonnell83.freeserve.co.uk         Previous articles by Chris May 22, 2013         Chris McDonnell, UK  Open Hands

There are numerous depictions of the Christ-child with his Mother. Of all of them, this image by Jacob Epstein, ranks high in my personal affection.  It is sited in Cavendish Square in London, a figure that has a brooding serenity high on a stone wall.  

The hands of Mary, down-turned and open, the arms of the Child in contrast, cross-like, stretched wide in front of His Mother’s body speak so clearly of service, of Mary offering us her Son and his acceptance of us.  

What do images give us, how do they support and nurture faith or how in some instances might they get in the way?  

Made of plaster, stone, metal or wood, they are, of themselves, of no material significance yet we respond to them at a totally different, spiritual, level. Statues make us stop in passing, draw us to reflection and can offer us a real focal point for prayer. Our sensitivity is touched and something in that reflection holds our attention. Often it is wordless for the image speaks beyond words.  

On other occasions, the image we see does not touch us at all, sparks no emotional response and in no way helps us into the presence of the living Lord. It can in fact be a positive hindrance.

Maytime has traditionally been a month of Mary and through prayer we seek to honour the Motherhood of the Christ-Child. With processions, the recitation of the Rosary and the crowning of statues the Church has, and does, celebrate her unique presence in the story of our salvation.  

But apart from the month of May, we should take time in the stillness of prayer  to reflect on the significance of Mary and allow our own favourite image to instil in us the tranquil peace and, at the same time, challenge, that Epstein achieved in his Mother and Child.  

I wrote this in the mid-Nineties.

Mary Mother

Mary Mother, standing

by the Lord’s high-held Cross

took John to be her son:

In taking him, took me.

Mary Mother, walking

with the Risen Lord to Galilee

cared for his bewildered friends:

in caring, care for me.

Mary Mother, waiting

for the Lord’s own Spirit descending

patient in their company:

in patience, pause for me.

Mary Mother, praying

that I to the Lord may hasten

passing the wood of Calvary

listening to the spirit calling:

                                           in simplicity

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