Love In Action: A love that is lived

White statue of Mary holding the child Jesus beside a leafy plant near a window.

A Thought to Begin

“Goodness works quietly, the power of love is expressed in the unassuming quietness of daily service.”

—St. John Paul II

Scripture

“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste… Mary remained with her about three months.”

—Luke 1:39, 56 (NABRE)

Reflection

I received a beautiful Waterford statue of Mary as a bridal shower gift.

I loved it for its beauty, but at the time I did not yet understand the role Mary would come to play in my life or how deeply I would rely on her love and guidance.

That understanding came later.

After our daughter Caitlin died at three months old, I began turning to Mary in a new way.

Mary knew what it was to love a child completely. She also knew what it was to watch her child suffer and to remain at His side when she could not take that suffering away.

I found comfort in not needing to explain my pain to her. She understood a mother’s love and a mother’s grief. I turned to her daily, praying for the grace to live my life in a way that allowed me to feel not only God’s love, but also the enduring love of my precious daughter Caitlin. In time, this prayer led me to seek ways to reach out to others in love and service.

For many years, I most often pictured Mary standing at the foot of the Cross. Her presence comforted me because she understood both a mother’s love and a mother’s sorrow.

But when I reflect on Mary through the lens of Love in Action, I am reminded of the Visitation.

After receiving life-changing news, Mary did not keep to herself. When she learned that Elizabeth was expecting a child in her old age, she went “in haste” to be with her—to share not only her love, but Jesus.

She did more than speak words of love or promise prayer. She made the journey. She showed up and remained with Elizabeth for about three months.

She showed her love by living it.

What may have seemed like a simple visit was, in truth, an incredible act of love: one woman choosing to be present to another.

Mary has taught me, and continues to teach me, that love in action means going wherever love calls us.

It means offering an extra hand.

It means sharing joy, celebrating with another person, and helping them recognize how deeply they are loved and accepted.

It means staying when we cannot remove another’s pain.

It means listening when there are no words that can bring true comfort or reassurance.

It means praying, sitting quietly, sharing hugs and tears, and reminding someone that they are not alone.

Sometimes we are called to go. Sometimes we are called to stay.

Both are acts of love.

Although the original Waterford statue was later broken, the crystal statue of Mary I have today carries the same meaning. It reminds me not only of Mary’s presence during one of the most painful seasons of my life, but also of the kind of love I hope to live each day.

A love that notices.

A love that is willing to journey.

A love that remains.

A love that is lived.

Something to Think About…

“Today God loves the world through you and through me. Are we that love and that compassion?”

—St. Teresa of Calcutta

How might God be asking me to become His love and compassion for someone today?