March 29, 2020: A Child At Her Breast – Michael Hidalgo

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?” This is the question posed by the prophet, words placed on the lips of God. The answer of course, is “No.” But just in case, the prophet writes, “Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” The picture is obvious - God, like a nursing mother, holds Her people to Her breast and gives of Herself to nourish Her children. 

This paints a picture of tender intimacy; one that science now shows happens at the physiological level between a mother and child during breastfeeding. There is a connection between the two unlike any other connection that occurs between human beings. This is what we are invited to contemplate, and what the prophet suggests. That even in the moment when the people of Israel and suffering exile, even when it seems God is nowhere, God’s response is to remind them She is the God who tenderly holds and feeds Her children at Her breast.