“Each of us is willed; each of us is loved; each of us is necessary.”  Pope Benedict XVI, Homily, April 24, 2005

His little boy eyes watched her adoringly as she moved from chore to chore around the simple room, fixing food, mending clothes, greeting a neighbor through the doorway.  Her eyes were the first that His had gazed into, her smile the first that He had returned.  His eyes had studied her at prayer, at work, at play.  He drank from the example of her faith, hope and endless charity.  She had been His wonder and delight in Bethlehem and Egypt, and continued to fascinate Him in Nazareth.  

What more could He want than such a mother?  She could only be described in superlatives: most pure, most chaste, fairest flower of our race.  She had provided all for Him for the nine months before their eyes met.  He was secure in her providence, safe in her love.

What more could a boy want than this perfect mother?  She would carry, then lead, then abide with, and finally, follow, even to Calvary.  Her heart was one with His, her prayers were His prayers, His death would be her death, mystically but truly.  Perfect disciple, who else could He need for His life and growth and work here on earth?

The little boy eyes looked back to the piece of wood in His hands, and a puzzled look came into them.  He looked again at His perfect mother, and realized she was not everything He needed.  Holding the unfinished wood up to the man of the house, Jesus said, “Daddy, show me.” 

Show me how to fix and create and work.  Show me how to care for animals and gardens and customers.  Daddy, teach me how to pray with the other men.  Daddy, teach me how to be a man.  And Mary, perfect but finite mother, silently appealed for help with a look at Joseph, her other and necessary half.