Mary, Tower of Ivory, Mary: Day 152

Mary, Tower of Ivory

The popular term “ivory tower” refers to a disinterest in, a disconnectedness with, the world. But as Blessed John Henry Newman explains, calling Mary the “Tower of Ivory” means something quite different from that, for it sym- bolizes her strength and beauty.

A tower is a structure which rises higher and more conspicuous than other objects in its neighborhood. Thus, when we say a man “towers” over his fellows, we mean to signify that they look small in comparison to him. This qual- ity of greatness is displayed in the Blessed Virgin.

Though she suffered more keen and intimate anguish at our Lord’s pas- sion and crucifixion than any of the Apostles because she was his mother, yet consider how much more noble she was amid her deep distress than they were. When our Lord underwent his agony, they slept for sorrow. They could not wres- tle with their deep disappointment and despondency; they could not master it; it confused, numbed, and overcame their senses. And soon after, when St. Peter was asked by bystanders whether he was one of our Lord’s disciples, he denied it. Nor was he alone in this cowardice. The Apostles, one and all, forsook our Lord and fled, though St. John returned. No, still further, they even lost faith in him, and thought all the great expectations which he had raised in them had ended in a failure.

In this courage and generosity in suffering she is, as compared with the Apostles, fittingly imaged as a tower. But towers, it may be said, are huge, rough, heavy, obtrusive, graceless structures, for the purposes of war, not of peace; with nothing of the beauty, refinement, and finish which are conspicuous in Mary. It is true: Therefore she is called the Tower of Ivory, to suggest to us, by the bright- ness, purity, and exquisiteness of that material, how transcendent is the loveliness and the gentleness of the Mother of God. —Blessed John Henry Newman, Meditations and Devotions

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Mary’s extraordinary strength was most clearly revealed in her powers of long- suffering and endurance. In what ways am I being called even now to exhibit these virtues in my life? Have I asked for Mary’s help to be strong as she was strong?

CLOSING PRAYER
Mary, Tower of Ivory, just as you stood strong beside your Son as he died on the Cross, now stand by me in my trials, and grant me a share of your courage, which is beautiful to behold.

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