MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
First Reading - Acts 1:12-14
Gospel - John 19:25-34
The gospel passage reminds us of the maternal care of God through the Blessed Virgin Mary. Hanging between heaven and earth on the cross, Jesus entrusts his mother to the care of his beloved disciple and, on the verge of his earthly life, fulfills his duty towards her as her beloved son. The beloved disciple takes Mary into his home, traditionally believed to be John. However, some scholars suggest that the beloved disciple remains anonymous because he can represent every believer in the Church or the Church at large. Thus, Jesus entrusts his mother to his beloved Church as her mother.
The first reading speaks of the company of the Blessed Mother with the disciples of Jesus after the resurrection. Her presence demonstrates the maternal care of God through her. She accompanies and prays with the disciples as instructed by Jesus in preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Dear friends, the feast of Mary, the Mother of the Church, reminds us that the Blessed Mother Mary has been given to us as our heavenly mother who accompanies and prays for us, just as she accompanied the disciples of Jesus and prayed with them. This feast also assures us of Mary's constant assistance as her sons and daughters, as she helped the budding Church in its hardships and difficult moments through her companionship and prayer. Jesus has given us in Mary the assurance of maternal care for every believer.
The gospel tells us that the beloved disciple took Mary into his home. Similarly, we must welcome Mary, our heavenly mother, into our lives and our families through the prayer of the Rosary and other Marian devotions. Her presence in our lives will guide and help us combat the negative influences encroaching upon us.
Let us pray that we may always give due place to our Blessed Mother in our lives and our families.
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