March into April and Easter

A second glance at the photo of the “Walking Madonna,” given to me by a friend who photographed the sculpture while in Salisbury, England, revealed a surprise and deeper insights. In the background of the “Walking Madonna,” an elderly woman shuffled along the sidewalk, supported by her cane. Her stance marked a contrast to the original image of the younger “Walking Madonna” depicted on the post card I had received previously. (See the March 2025 blog.)

I wondered: which woman is walking with a greater sense of purpose and vigor—the physically strong, striding woman or the vulnerable shuffling one? How could I measure? Is it important to be able to measure inner vitality and progress on the path to God?

…I realized that maybe what is important is that I persevere and keep putting one foot in front of the other rather than being able to see great strides toward my goals. Even a slow pace is movement. Perhaps the emphasis needs to be on purposeful compassion and whatever efforts I give to bring love more fully into my experiences even when I don’t feel I’m doing much or see results. I am courageous even when my fear, discouragement and fatigue try to tell me I am not. Counter to many societal norms, when I admit my need and ask for help in my work, I am expressing inner strength, even when I falter in my asking. Prayer and solitude are fruitful, though they may not produce immediate tangible results in tasks performed. Giving hospitality does not always need to feel easy to be genuine. Inner vitality is marked by my commitment to see and give to Christ in people even when I don’t feel generous. Both women in the photo speak to me of walking through my daily experiences with intention, faithfulness and responsibility for God’s purpose, even when I feel fainthearted. ¹

I wonder how these and similar actions bring us into the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. We walk with the qualities of both “Walking Madonnas.” We walk through life the best we can, entrusting the fruits of who we are and what we do to participate in God’s design for creation. We experience and bring to the world the life Jesus brought from the tomb so we can all live his purpose and glory in our daily lives.

Mary Reuter, OSB

Photo by Kristjan Kotar on Unsplash.

¹ Quotation from Running with Expanding Heart: Meeting God in Everyday Life, Mary Reuter OSB. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2020, 23, 25.