Jesus became fully man while remaining fully God. He took on all of our weaknesses, except sin. (Phil 2:6-8; Gal 4:4-5) Often when thinking about Jesus, I am inclined to think about His miracles: walking on water (Jn 6:19), turning water into wine (Jn 2:7-9), healing the sick and commanding both demons and nature (Mt 8). Signs of great power and majesty worthy of the Son of God. I often forget the times he was hungry (Lk 4:1-2) or the times he was afraid (Mt 26:37). The Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help reminds me of two great Truths.

First, Christ was feeble in His Humanity. Here the Child Jesus sees a vision; the cross and the lance, carried by the archangels Michael and Gabriel. A vision of His Passion. Christ wept at the thought of His death as an adult in the garden. As a child, would he not be terrified? The iconographer shows Christ’s sandal dangling from His foot, the straps coming loose as he madly dashes to the embrace of His Mother. The King of Heaven, God of All, seeks comfort.

It is part of human nature to be comforted when we know that someone else has gone through or is going through what we are experiencing. We take solace from the fact we are not alone. In my times of darkness and of doubt, it is tempting for me to think; “God could never have experienced what I am going through, not to the extent I am. What would Jesus know of the fear I feel seeing my child addicted, of hearing my spouse curse at me and threaten to leave, of seeing my own parents going through dementia and forgetting who I am?” Here is Christ, showing Himself as vulnerable, as needing someone to reassure Him. Every terror that we experience, Christ experienced that same terror and sought comfort from it. This is a second Truth that can be gleaned from the Icon.

Christ never wished for us to go through the challenges of life alone. Christ was frightened. Here he clutches the hand of His Mother with both of his own, staring back over his shoulder at the instruments of his impending torment. Mary’s own hand is open, her face towards us, towards you, inviting you to clutch onto her hand as well. This is Our Mother of Perpetual Help. She will always help us, as she is God’s greatest instrument, the greatest of our race. Christ knew what it felt like to be alone, to be frightened and scared and to have doubts. And he sought the help of His Mother.

Mary, in turn, will not always protect us from every challenge or adversity, for she could not protect Christ from His Death. But her help comes as strength and fortitude in the midst of trials, strength that comes from having known sorrow. Follow the example of Christ and run to her. For Mary has been given to us for that reason. To be a Perpetual Help to us, and to draw us closer to Christ, her Son.

Open for those who need food and for those who want to donate.

1250 Easton Road, Roslyn, PA
Because of the current situation, call ahead to check on hours.
267-318-0607

Regular hours for donating Wednesday-Thursday & Saturday 10am-1pm
Regular hours to get food Monday 5:30-7pm and 
Wednesday-Thursday & Saturday 11am-1pm
But again, call 267-318-0607 ahead to be verify they are open.