Exalting Mother Mary and praying to her is rather easy. What is the most difficult and challenging part is to imbibe her virtues and be like her.
I've not dared make this reflection so blunt and direct in person every time I have shared this insight. To look upon Mary as the perfect model of obedience and humility and what not, is good. But for once, think of Mary as a woman, a young lady. A simple village woman who must have had some plans for her life too - however, small or petty. Of such a woman, God ask something he has asked of no one, ever! And Mary accepts! She confirms and lives out that Divine request knowing well the risks involved (even death by stoning) and/or the shame and social stigma attached to being an unwed mother.
To make it more hitting and powerful, I invite the listeners (and readers) to imagine the annunciation scene, the first encounter with Joseph, the initial days after the annunciation and those related aspects, with our own mother or sister, instead of Mary. What if my own mother or sister or sister-in-law, comes to me and says, "I'm going to be the mother of the saviour! God himself has made this known to me through his messenger!" What would be my response to that sharing by someone I know and love.
This imaginary replacement of Mary with some woman dear to me, radically transforms our perspective on Mary. Reverence towards her hits a different note. From her we are inspired THROUGH HER OWN LIVING OUT of the virtue of discerning the Divine will amidst the numerous messages we are constantly bombarded with every day; and then the COURAGE to live by that message, joyfully and generously.
