http://sanctepater.blogspot.com/2009/03/purgatory.html
http://immaculataconceptio.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/14-via-crucis-on-mount-carmel/

Some thoughts...

The Blessed Virgin did not return after the Sabbath with Mary Magdalene to anoint Jesus’ body. She knew that He was simply busy doing His Father’s will, and would rise the third day.

Mary's example of ultimate, unerring faith in God (and therefore her Son) is an example for all of us. At the wedding at Cana, Jesus mightn't have performed his first miracle if she hadn't stepped in. Someone described the scene like this:

Jesus: Woman... (a respectful title) [and then, like people who just have a look in their eyes and they tell you something that way, He would have told her:] Right now, you are simply the mother of Jesus. I am simply your son, a carpenter's son... But if you would have me do this, you will become the Mother of Sorrows. (And you yourself a sword shall pierce. A perfect mother must have the most perfected agony for her son! Christ made Mary perfect, just for Himself. In The Passion of the Christ there is a moment where Jesus falls on the road to Calvary. Mary sees and has a flashback to when he was a boy, and fell down while playing; she ran to him then, but she can't run to him now. Imagine how mothers would feel in that situation! Now multiply that feeling by infinite.)

Mary's response?: Do whatever he tells you.

That's the last we hear of her...And she is constantly telling us that. While offering us her Son, she tells us to do whatever Christ tells us. And when Christ, being completely selfless, gave us his mother while he was dying on the cross (Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother)... He knew exactly what he was doing. He was giving the most perfect mother in the world--for He created her without sin, without blemish, the new Ark of the Covenant to carry the Word (Christ is the Word). He created her for Himself, and for us.

When things get hard and Satan is pounding you to the earth - call "Mommy!"

You can bet that the woman who crushes Satan's skull, who gets whatever she asks from her Son...She will come running. And Satan can't stand her. He hates her above all other created things.

And I hear Mary bakes cookies. Who knew?

Mary is Queen of Heaven. This is not because she's higher than God. This is not because she is a god(dess) like many believe. We do not worship her. We honor her. How can we not honor her as Christ honored her?

In ancient tradition, such as that of Solomon and David and beyond, the King was the head of the kingdom. No duh. But their mothers, the Queen Mothers, were extremely powerful as well. The King would bow to her before ascending his throne. He would do whatever she asked. She was so honored, it's amazing. And Jesus, being the heir of David, etc., and Christ the King, honored mother as well. That's where we get the titles of Queen of Heaven, Queen of Angels, etc. It's not because she's higher than, or even equal to God. It's because God Himself lifted her up above all creation, above all created beings.

How can we not honor her?

And I for one don't need to explain this to myself. Mary has been present in my father's life, in so many other peoples' lives...and sometimes I can just know that she's watching out for me, too (along with Michael, and some other saints I'm sure. And my Guardian Angel... Not to mention God, no DUH. :D I'm a daughter of the King!). This stuff just reinforces what I already know. This just shows me how beautiful our faith is.

(This was originally supposed to be about Purgatory...but I'll skip that. Just go read the article, they're very good.)