In Revelation we see a no-holds-barred contest between the Dragon and a Woman.
The Woman has generally been interpreted as being Mary as she gives birth to a child (Jesus) who the Dragon (Satan) wants to kill.
Later scholars have seen the Woman also as a symbol of the Church, but both meanings are likely.
The idea of Mary in deadly combat with the Dragon fuelled medieval imaginations and I recently came across some images of Mary that I found surprising, delightful and also quite moving.
In these images Mary is not meek or mild, rather she is ‘Masher Mary’, the Dragon-buster.
In the image above from a prayer book created in 1240 and illustrated by the Warwickshire manuscript illuminator William de BRAILES, Mary is shown punching the Devil in the face .
In another medieval dating from around 1275 ‘Martyrologe-obituaire de l’abbaye Notre-Dame des Prés de Douai’ Mary hits the Devil over the head with a club .
In a third book Sarum Book of the Hours from around 1330, Mary is shown in a grappling contest with the Devil while a baby Jesus is praying for her, held by an angel.
These images can be better understood if we remember an event that happened during Jesus’ crucifixion.
Dying on the cross Jesus spoke to his Mother, Mary and the disciple Jesus loved (John).
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
John 19:25-27
This has been understood by some to indicate that Mary has a special role within the Church. That she is, in some sense, the Mother of all Christians.
When we understand that Mary is a symbol of the Church who is our spiritual mother, then some of these more combative images of Mary take on a new significance.
Whilst many images of Mary show here being beautifully nurturing we only have to think of a lioness and her cubs to realise that there is another side to motherhood too. A feisty side, a ‘don’t mess with my children side’.
It is good to remember that the Church, in her prayers and worshipping life is working for the protection of her children.
Those who have received baptism are in a particularly spiritually advantageous position as being under the protection of the Church and benefiting from the prayer of Mary.
As you think of mothers on Mothering Sunday you might want to hold these images alongside the cherishing, nurturing ones.
Take comfort in the fact that Mary, your Mother, has your back.
And no one messes with her children!
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