Today’s memorial, Mary the Mother of the Church, began with the decree released on February 11, 2018, by Cardinal Robert Sarah while he was still the head of the Congregation of Divine Worship. Pope Francis called for the Church to celebrate this memorial on the Monday after Pentecost. Not only is Mary the Mother of Jesus, but since we as the People of God participate in the life of Jesus as members of the Body of Christ, she is our mother too.
The New Testament records time and again how Mary reveals by word and action that she is the model of discipleship.
Mary answered Gabriel’s request to conceive and bear Jesus, with her response, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). Mary then went with haste to share the good news with Elizabeth and to assist her in her pregnancy of John the Baptist. Mary, after the birth of Jesus, is visited by the shepherds and upon hearing their news from the angelic host, she “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Lk 2:19). Mary and Joseph cared for, protected, and guided Jesus in the Jewish faith as he matured and grew into a young man.
Mary was also present at the beginning of his ministry when she said to the servants at the wedding at Cana, “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). Mary was also present at the crucifixion, as recorded in today’s reading from the Gospel of John: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home (Jn 19:26-27). Mary was pierced with sorrow when the centurion’s lance was thrust through the side of Jesus, her son, as blood and water flowed. Mary was then present as the Church was birthed at Pentecost during the coming of the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14).
Mary is the mother of Jesus, the Mother of the Church, and so she is also our mother. We do not worship Mary but seek her intercession and guidance as we might our own earthly mothers. We also look to her as a model for living as disciples of Jesus. We too are to ponder the wonders and mysteries of God working in our lives. As with Mary, who stood at the foot of the cross, may we too not run from suffering but embrace it so that we also can then receive her son, Jesus, whose arms are wide open to receive us in the midst of our pain, so that he may bestow upon us his consolation, comfort, and healing.
Mary too could have run, could have turned away from the excruciating agony of watching her son die such a humiliating and horrific death. Did the words of Simeon prepare her, “and you yourself a sword shall pierce” (Luke 2:35)? Mary not only saw and experienced the piercing of the lance right into his heart, but she experienced the persecutions and criticisms of religious leadership as well as their own home town folk turning on Jesus. Mary did not run, she remained steadfast by her son’s side.
Mary, who it appeared that Jesus was denouncing when he said, “Who is my mother?” lived out Jesus’ directive better than anyone: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Luke 8:21). Mary did just that! May she lead us to do the same. As we are faced with challenges, may we ponder with Mary the options that God is offering us, when facing anxiety and fear, may we allow Mary to embrace and encourage us, and when we experience grief and sorrow, may Mary help us to remember, Jesus conquered death and has the final answer. May we do whatever Jesus tells us to do to make his Church relevant and vibrant in our time.
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Photo: May we, as did John, receive Jesus’ invitation to receive Mary as our mother and take her into our home.
Spiritual Stepping Stones 