Ladybugs are named after Our Lady. The tradition dates back to the Byzantine era when the Virgin Mary was traditionally cloaked in red in iconography.
Some ladybugs are also covered with seven spots, which were taken to represent the seven joys and seven sorrows of Mary. Farmers were particularly fond of the ladybug and remain so today as they often devour parasitic pests which can damage crops. For them, the ladybug is a gift from above.
The Marigold flower is one of many species of plants that are named after the Virgin Mary. Monasteries once kept marigold gardens to honor her. The poor who could not afford to leave gold coins as an offering often left marigold blossoms instead. There are possibly thousands of plants named after the Virgin Mary or closely associated with her, including ladyslippers, Lilly of the valley, and many others. Of course, the most famous flower of all, the rose, is also associated with the Virgin Mary, although it is not named for her.
The Mercedes automobile is taken from the Spanish name for an order of monks who once followed Our Lady of the Mercies. The order Mercederian Order was founded in 1218, made a practice of ransoming slaves from the Moors. Its name was taken as inspiration by Emil Jellinek, an Austrian diplomat who invested in the development of the automobile. He contracted Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler to design and build a car in 1901, which was named after Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes. And Mercedes was named after the Mercederian Order, which took their name from Our Lady of the Mercies. So, in a roundabout way, the Mercedes is named after Our Lady.
In fairness, you knew this one. However, Mary has been one of the most popular names in history, and is popular globally. The name is taken from Hebrew, and it means "bitter." But many people associate the name Mary with the Virgin Mary, which is a much sweeter inspiration. Mary also exists in many forms, Marie, Maria, & etc.. In the past decade, the name has declined in popularity in the United States. It was the 127th most popular name for girls in the U.S. in 2016.
The city of Los Angeles, or L.A. for short, is named for Our Lady. Even most Los Angelenos (natives of the city) don't know this fact. Most people assume the city is named for the Angels, and call it the "city of the angels," but this is not technically correct.
The official and original name of the city of Los Angeles is, "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles del Rio Porciúncula," which in English means, "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Angels of the River Porciuncula."
The Porciuncula river is called the Los Angeles river today. That river is dry most of the year, and now flows though a large, usually dry canal that cuts though the middle of the city. It is a well-known location and the scene of many movies.
Because the city's name is commonly truncated, or even abbreviated to just "LA.," most people don't realize that it is named after Our Lady.
Mary
Before Christ
Young but willing to do God’s will
In preparation for motherhood
she didn’t understand everything that was happening to her, but when God calls her she was willing.
Any future mother here will learn that you won’t understand everything but you can still be willing to be used by God.
She was afraid
She was called to be a mother
Mary’s pregnancy was very much “unplanned” and maybe even unwanted yet she proceeded with the plan, because God was with her.
Confirmation of Her Call
Luke 1:42 NIV
42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
Blessed among women
Blessed is the child
Expectant mothers should be honored
God should be praised for the child (Luke 1:46)
STRONG WOMEN
Teenager, pregnant, traveled by horseback, gave birth in a stable, outside,
I’ve heard of the hashtag #strongwomen given to strong women who have had to overcome adversity, who accomplish great things in spite of their circumstances.
Mary would qualify for the hashtag...
Truly every woman should have that because to do the things that women do, they must be strong
Strong women stand up for themselves and for those put under her care.
Who don’t say no to God and even though not understanding go through with his plan. In the end, ?she is blessed and we are still talking about her til this day.
DAYS OF AMAZEMENT
Visit of the Shepherds (Luke 2:19)
Mary keeps these moments to herself
Simeon recognizes Jesus (Luke 2:25)
Parents marveled? (vs. 33)
vs. 34-35 Mary will suffer
Many a parent think of the potential suffering of our kids
imagine that only after 8 days of birth an old man tells you that this child will break your heart
Mary kept all of this to herself
At the Temple (Luke 2:41)
Jesus is 12 (12 years later)
Mary has done a lot of raising
She and Joseph are not just engaged, but married.
There are more brothers and sisters
Looking forward to the feast in Jerusalem, Jesus’ first time
Jesus is a young man, he’s knowledgable about the scriptures.
Mom couldn’t be prouder
on the way back home she realizes that Jesus is not with them.
she’s afraid, she’s blaming herself, or Joseph :)
she would call the cops if she could, Jesus didn’t have a cell phone.
on the way back to Jerusalem, she’s probably remembering Simeon’s words
“this child will pierce your heart”
?
Luke 2:51 NIV
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Humanity and Divinity
John 2 - Wedding Feast at Cana
- Rejoicing at social occasions
Proud of her son
she knew he could do something
“Just do whatever he says” - Mary
She probably wanted him to prove who he was
a little confirmation maybe?
Jesus says, “it’s not my time”
“Oh bless your heart son...” do this favor for your mom won’t you?
But mom!
Days of Concern
A. Jesus’ popularity arises and with tath his enemies also
she hears great things about her son but she has concerns for her son
she hears of the great things he has done and also the confrontations with the leaders
She raised him to respect authority
?
Luke 8:19–21 NIV
19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd.
20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”
21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
She comes to Jesus.
She can’t get through the crowd
Sends word to Jesus that she’s around
?
Mark 3:21 NIV
21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Maybe his brothers and sisters forced Mary to come along with them to talk ahold of Jesus and bring him home.
But had to be “about his father’s business”
Jesus was starting a new family and that was hard for Mary to accept, but she would later understand.
PIERCED HEART
?
John 19:25 NIV
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
She stood at the cross
John was entrusted with caring for his mother
Making sure she was taken care of
She’s there while he’s bleeding
she hears him say, “I’m thirsty”
what do you think she wanted to do?
Was she too sad to go to the tomb?
She had to have heard of the resurrection
If John was taking care of her I’m sure she was there too.
Jesus spent 40 days after the resurrection and I’m sure he spent time with Mary.
Jesus most likely had a one-on-one explaining everything that Mary didn’t understand
IT ALL MADE SENSE
Post-resurrection
?
Acts 1:14 NIV
14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
She took up her son’s cause
Who knew him better than her?
For almost 30 years he lived with her
Disciples only 3 years
She saw Jesus live the exemplary life
She heard all the things Jesus taught
Mothers are amazing.
Mary didn’t have the technology, the conveniences, even the finances, but she has shown us all why God chose her, from her young teenage years, widowing years later, and seeing her son murdered while she was only in her 40’s.
Her life didn’t end there, she devoted herself to the cause of Christ.
At first she was called to be a MOTHER,
after Jesus died, she became a follower of Jesus.
