In this beautiful image, we see Eve sad and down trodden, the serpent, the epitome of evil, is wrapped around her leg signifying the human family is still chained to the trappings of this world. As Eve clings to the apple with her right hand, her face has an expression of great sorrow. Mary, our Blessed Mother comes to Eve with a sweet smile, She raises her right hand and places it on Eve’s face to comfort her. Our Blessed Mother standing on the head of the serpent as Genesis 2:15 shows us, signifying through Her and Her Son satan has been defeated. Our Blessed Mother, through Her “yes” to becoming God’s vessel, Christ Jesus redeems the world.
Rich in symbolism, there is yet another layer of meaning that may be glimpsed through the actions of our Lady in this image. It has long been known that in the Christian mystical writings of the Saints, the actions of the left and the right hands of God are often mystical signs that point to a richness of meaning even beyond the image itself.
As the mother of our Savior places her Right hand upon the face of Eve, could she be inferring that the power of the Right hand of God was flowing through her at that very moment, conveying to Eve a taste of the redemption of all humankind by her Son, Jesus the Christ? And that this singular grace would be made possible one day through Mary’s own personal cooperation with that grace, which would come to be known only much later as Mary’s Fiat?
Mary then takes the left hand of Eve and places it on her belly. The left hand of God is often used in the Scriptures to signify the blessings and mercies of God. It is interesting to note that the left hand is placed upon the belly of Mary where the Christ child resides. Could it be that Eve was being given to understand, through the infused knowledge of the power of God’s left hand, the future miracle of grace that would one day even forgive her own sin, which caused the suffering of so many of God’s children until the miraculous redemption of humankind that would begin with the miracle residing in the womb of the Blessed Mother Mary?
St. John Paul II tells us, that “our suffering is supernatural because it is rooted in the divine mystery of Redemption of the world”. Mary, our Blessed Mother comes to us Her children, bringing Eve our first mother, and us hope and to guide us to Her Son, Christ Jesus. “Suffering is also deeply human because in it we discover ourselves in our humanity, our dignity, and in our mission,” says St. John Paul. Mary reassures us that it is through Christ Jesus that we have been fully redeemed, and for us to cling to hope in these trying times. Christ Jesus and our Blessed Mother will always be right by our side when we welcome them into our life. Have a most blessed week
Written by: Theresa & Mark
Hermits of the Holy Cross
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – For over a Century and a Half, the good Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration kept faithfully to the promise of their Foundress; to practice Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 24 hours a day, which means to also practice through the night hours. Only recently did they have to alter that promise as they themselves could no longer continue with it.
The Lenten Season is an open invitation by God to grow closer to the Sacred Heart of Christ Jesus. As Jesus was thrust into the desert for 40 days and forty nights, God calls you and I to enter into the desert of our heart, seeking emptiness, allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and guide us, and to learn how to place others first. The word sin has really gotten a bum wrap here in America. The word Sin in the original Greek means, “to miss the mark” I picture a bow and arrow with the target a couple hundred feet away. The aim is to shoot our arrow to hit the bullseye. The target we strive to focus on in the spiritual life is our love relationship with God. God seeks only relationship. The Father as His children, Christ Jesus as our brother, and to be the spouse of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we “miss the mark” when we stray from this relationship, settling for a more tangible limited love instead. The foundation to all our longing within our heart and soul is based in love. Unfortunately, at times this love is more limited and transient. I invite you this Lenten Season to examine your heart and see what it might be that keeps you from “hitting the mark” and cultivating your love relationship with God. The Lenten Season is a season to explore and restore. Allow this time to embrace you. It is a special time to listen for that “still small voice” the prophet Elias sought out in the desert of silence. Put aside the many distractions that keep you from hitting the mark, the Sacred Heart of Christ. It sounds impossible, but with Gods grace all things are possible. And as St. Padre Pío use to say, “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”, God’s door is always open. Have a very blessed Lent. If you are in need of intercessory prayer please email the Hermits of the Holy Cross with your intentions. We are here for you and we love you. Our email address can be found on our website.
