I wanted so badly to sleep in today.
A day off of work? ✅
No school car line to sit in? ✅
A warm and cozy bed? ✅
It was all looking good for me.
UNTIL IT WASN’T!
As my mother’s needs have increased, I keep my ears open for when she might start to rise. I try to be as helpful as I can with the “girl stuff”, like helping her shower and dress for the day. While my life assisting her isn’t exactly an exile, and I deeply respect and appreciate her, the truth is that caregiving can naturally become burdensome. I know it is a privilege to have this opportunity, but it doesn’t come without occasional and shameful twinges of resentment and frustration.
So, as I laid in bed, half-asleep and heard her moving around downstairs, I knew my time had come to help. I gladly did.
If you’re on my Mondays with Mary text message list, you received a text this morning about Our Lady of Exile, a title that reflects the belief that after the death of Jesus, the Virgin Mary lived part of her life in exile, either in Ephesus or Jerusalem, under the care of St. John the Apostle. This part of her life is not detailed in the Bible but comes from Christian tradition and early sources, which tell of Mary’s vital role in the early Christian community, providing a maternal presence and spiritual support in her time in Ephesus.
As I help Mom with her daily routines, fighting my own feelings of grief, frustration, and sorrow, I try my best to stop and think of Mary. I imagine her, far from everything familiar, in a land not her own, grieving for her Son yet continuing to nurture those around her.
It’s something any of us can understand. We often find ourselves in unexpected roles—roles we never planned for but grow into, finding our own ways to give comfort and support.
So, whenever we feel worn out or overwhelmed or spiritually drained, let’s turn to Our Lady of Exile. Ask her to help us see the beauty in our service and to give us the strength to face each day with love and patience, just as she did. Let her be our guide and inspiration, helping us to find patience and strength in our care for others and reminding us of the bigger picture—the spiritual journey we are all on.
Blessed Mother, be with all who feel far from their spiritual home, and guide us through the challenges of life. Help us to see with the eyes of faith and to cherish the roles we find ourselves in, trusting that you are with us every step of the way. Amen.