Discover Mary’s Spiritual Motherhood

Pat Gohn and Sarah Christmyer discuss how Pat came to know Mary as a spiritual mother only after she became one herself. Pat also explains how she came to rely on Mary as intercessor in her struggle with breast cancer and in learning to mother her children.

Pat Gohn is a Catholic writer and speaker as well as founder and host of the Among Women podcast. She is the author of Blessed, Beautiful, and Bodacious and contributed two reflections on Mary and portraits of the “bent-over” woman and Lydia to the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible. Learn more about her books and ministry at patgohn.net.

Take Pat’s Favorite Scripture to Your Next Holy Hour

Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today.

Read the Word: Psalm 23

(Read it in your own Bible to get the context, and so you can make notes.)

A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Ponder the Word: Read several times, lingering where it touches your heart. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you?

Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard, and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care.

Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?