May 20, 2024 - Mary, Mother of the Church (replacing Mon. of 7th Week in Ord. Time)
May you continue to look to Mary, the Mother of the Church, and follow her example of being a disciple of her Son, Jesus.
On March 3, 2018, Pope Francis approved and announced the new celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. It is a universal, required Memorial to be celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost. I have always respected Mary as an excellent role model of what it means to be a loving mother, a devoted woman of faith, a disciple of Jesus, and a servant to others. It seems appropriate that this celebration of Mary being the Mother of the Church, the Body of Christ, is celebrated on the day after Pentecost, the “Birthday of the Church.” In scripture and tradition, Mary has been seen as the person to whom the early Church looked in proclaiming the GOoD News of Jesus after His ascension into heaven. Let us celebrate with the worldwide Church this day when we call upon Mary as the Mother of the Church.
May you continue to look to Mary, the Mother of the Church, and follow her example of being a disciple of her Son, Jesus.
On March 3, 2018, Pope Francis approved and announced the new celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. It is a universal, required Memorial to be celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost. I have always respected Mary as an excellent role model of what it means to be a loving mother, a devoted woman of faith, a disciple of Jesus, and a servant to others. It seems appropriate that this celebration of Mary being the Mother of the Church, the Body of Christ, is celebrated on the day after Pentecost, the “Birthday of the Church.” In scripture and tradition, Mary has been seen as the person to whom the early Church looked in proclaiming the GOoD News of Jesus after His ascension into heaven. Let us celebrate with the worldwide Church this day when we call upon Mary as the Mother of the Church.
Readings can be obtained from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052024.cfm
Saint Bernardine of Siena: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-bernardine-of-siena
Readings: Genesis 3: 9-15, 20 or Acts 1: 12-14; Psalm 87: 1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7
John 19: 25-34
Nota Bene: On March 3, 2018, Pope Francis formally announced that the from that year on, the Monday after Pentecost would be the Required Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church with the readings listed above.
Our readings remind us of the role of Mary in the life of not only Jesus, but also of the Church. We see Mary’s role in giving birth to the One Who would defeat evil by His dying on the cross, the platform from which He gave His mother to His disciple (and to all disciples) and also gave His disciple and all members of the Church to His mother. We also have a glimpse of Mary’s role with early Church as she prays with them.
In the reading from Genesis, after the sin of Adam and Eve, GOD speaks
of the tension that will exist between the offspring of the serpent (the devil) and offspring of Eve (humans). One of Eve’s descendants will give birth to a Son Who will battle with the offspring of the (d)evil and He will be injured in the battle, but will win the ultimate victory over (d)evil.
The other alternate First Reading (from the Acts of the Apostles) gives us one view of Mary’s participation in the beginning of the Church. She gathers with the apostles and other early disciples and prays with them.
The Responsorial is “Glorious things are told of you, O City of GOD.” Mary has been linked to the City of GOD because in her dwelled the GOD-Man, Jesus. As the psalm says, “One and all were born in her, and the One Who established her is the Most High GOD.”
The Gospel is the account of Jesus’ death on the cross from St. John’s Gospel. As Jesus looks down from the cross He sees His mother and His beloved disciple. He gives them to each other. This symbolizes Jesus giving His mother Mary to the Church and the Church to Mary.
With this festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, we are reminded of Mary’s role in bringing forth the Savior of the World and her position in the Church. I am reminded of a movie which was co-produced by Jon Kondrath of ReKon Productions and ODBFilms. The film is entitled, Full of Grace. The writer of the script spent a lot of time researching the part Mary played in the early Church and how she must have had a positive effect in the Church’s growth. The apostles, especially St. Peter, went to Mary and listened to her advice on the early spread of the faith. Mary was respected in her role of bringing Jesus into human existence and guiding His early upbringing. She is also sought out for her thoughts on how the early disciples needed to guide the young Church in its early years.
The Church has always respected and honored Mary. Believers have called upon Mary to intercede with her Son, Jesus, since she has always been close to Him. It is the teaching of the Catholic Church that Mary was assumed into heaven with both her body and soul and is ever at Jesus’ side, and she presents her motherly concerns for all who believe in her Son and for all people.
We are blessed to be able to celebrate this new Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, on the day after Pentecost. How fitting is it that on the day after the celebration of the beginning of the Church and the descent of the Holy Spirit, that we gather and ask Mary to continue to guide us, the Church, in fulfilling our role of proclaiming the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, using words. Mary is a great example of one who did just that. As a priest I know reminds his parishioners, we only have four times in the Gospel where Mary speaks, but her actions model what it means to be the first disciple of the Lord Jesus. We can learn from the four occasions of her speaking out.
The first time Mary is quoted is during the Annunciation when she says, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1: 38). In this she humbly submits to GOD’s will of being the Mother of the Savior. She does not fully understand what it entails, but she is willing to do what GOD is asking of her.
The Visitation is the second time Mary’s voice is heard. After a short dialogue between herself and her aging cousin, Elizabeth, Mary then proclaims the beautiful prayer called the Magnificat. In the prayer she exclaims, “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord and my spirit rejoice in GOD my savior. . .” (Luke 1: 46-55). She declares how great is GOD and she gives thanks for all that GOD is doing in her life. She also demonstrates her gratitude to GOD and her profound sense of humility by staying and helping Elizabeth for three months. She who is to be the Mother of the GOD-Man – Jesus, focuses not on herself but on assisting someone who needs her help.
The next time we hear Mary speak is when her youthful Son stays in the Temple in Jerusalem while Mary and Joseph look for Him for three days. Her words to Jesus are: “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety” (Luke 2: 48). She demonstrates her loving concern for Jesus and willingness to help Him look intently on what He needs to focus.
Mary’s last quoted words in the New Testament are at the wedding feast at Cana. There she simply mentions that there is no more wine. She then speaks to the servants saying, “Do whatever He tells you” She knows that Jesus will assist and that the servers need to do what is asked of them by Jesus” (John 2: 5).
Mary’s words and her actions throughout the life of her Son, Jesus, demonstrate her connection with Jesus and with those to whom He ministers. She is filled with humility and loving actions. These virtues continue to be manifested throughout the New Testament as we hear in today’s readings. And they do not stop there. Mary is still interceding for the Church – Body of Jesus – her Son and all who are joined to Him. Thus, we can call upon Mary as the Mother of Church as we celebrate today.
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, for in Your Divine plan, You chose Mary to be the Mother of Your Son, Jesus. She is the model of discipleship-servant-leadership in her willingness to do Your will and provide loving care for Jesus. From the cross, Jesus gave Mary to John, and all His disciples and all believers to Mary. We honor Mary as the Mother of the Church and call upon her to intercede on our behalf so that we can be faithful followers of Jesus. Help us look to Mary and her loving care and follow her example of humility, obedience, and acceptance of Your will. We make this prayer to You in the name of Jesus, Your Son and the Son of Mary, and through the intercession of Mary. To You, loving Abba-Father, through Jesus, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honor, glory, and praise; for You, the Most Blessed Trinity, are our one and only GOD for ever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bGR6OiZySQ&t=2s
Ave Maria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvNf0xg_OPY
Magnificat - Mary’s Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_iixWJo-7k
Video of the Day: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bGR6OiZySQ
Pope Francis establishes a universal feast day for Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church:
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/03/03/pope-francis-establishes-universal-feast-day- blessed-vi rgin-mary-mother-church
St. Bernardine of Siena: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG_-KCeJTrg
One site from which you can download and watch the movie, Full of Grace:
https://www.amazon.com/Full-Grace-Noam-Jenkins/dp/B07G522CXG
© rjk, 12-13-22
Saint Bernardine of Siena: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-bernardine-of-siena
Readings: Genesis 3: 9-15, 20 or Acts 1: 12-14; Psalm 87: 1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7
John 19: 25-34
Nota Bene: On March 3, 2018, Pope Francis formally announced that the from that year on, the Monday after Pentecost would be the Required Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church with the readings listed above.
Our readings remind us of the role of Mary in the life of not only Jesus, but also of the Church. We see Mary’s role in giving birth to the One Who would defeat evil by His dying on the cross, the platform from which He gave His mother to His disciple (and to all disciples) and also gave His disciple and all members of the Church to His mother. We also have a glimpse of Mary’s role with early Church as she prays with them.
In the reading from Genesis, after the sin of Adam and Eve, GOD speaks
of the tension that will exist between the offspring of the serpent (the devil) and offspring of Eve (humans). One of Eve’s descendants will give birth to a Son Who will battle with the offspring of the (d)evil and He will be injured in the battle, but will win the ultimate victory over (d)evil.
The other alternate First Reading (from the Acts of the Apostles) gives us one view of Mary’s participation in the beginning of the Church. She gathers with the apostles and other early disciples and prays with them.
The Responsorial is “Glorious things are told of you, O City of GOD.” Mary has been linked to the City of GOD because in her dwelled the GOD-Man, Jesus. As the psalm says, “One and all were born in her, and the One Who established her is the Most High GOD.”
The Gospel is the account of Jesus’ death on the cross from St. John’s Gospel. As Jesus looks down from the cross He sees His mother and His beloved disciple. He gives them to each other. This symbolizes Jesus giving His mother Mary to the Church and the Church to Mary.
With this festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, we are reminded of Mary’s role in bringing forth the Savior of the World and her position in the Church. I am reminded of a movie which was co-produced by Jon Kondrath of ReKon Productions and ODBFilms. The film is entitled, Full of Grace. The writer of the script spent a lot of time researching the part Mary played in the early Church and how she must have had a positive effect in the Church’s growth. The apostles, especially St. Peter, went to Mary and listened to her advice on the early spread of the faith. Mary was respected in her role of bringing Jesus into human existence and guiding His early upbringing. She is also sought out for her thoughts on how the early disciples needed to guide the young Church in its early years.
The Church has always respected and honored Mary. Believers have called upon Mary to intercede with her Son, Jesus, since she has always been close to Him. It is the teaching of the Catholic Church that Mary was assumed into heaven with both her body and soul and is ever at Jesus’ side, and she presents her motherly concerns for all who believe in her Son and for all people.
We are blessed to be able to celebrate this new Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, on the day after Pentecost. How fitting is it that on the day after the celebration of the beginning of the Church and the descent of the Holy Spirit, that we gather and ask Mary to continue to guide us, the Church, in fulfilling our role of proclaiming the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, using words. Mary is a great example of one who did just that. As a priest I know reminds his parishioners, we only have four times in the Gospel where Mary speaks, but her actions model what it means to be the first disciple of the Lord Jesus. We can learn from the four occasions of her speaking out.
The first time Mary is quoted is during the Annunciation when she says, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1: 38). In this she humbly submits to GOD’s will of being the Mother of the Savior. She does not fully understand what it entails, but she is willing to do what GOD is asking of her.
The Visitation is the second time Mary’s voice is heard. After a short dialogue between herself and her aging cousin, Elizabeth, Mary then proclaims the beautiful prayer called the Magnificat. In the prayer she exclaims, “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord and my spirit rejoice in GOD my savior. . .” (Luke 1: 46-55). She declares how great is GOD and she gives thanks for all that GOD is doing in her life. She also demonstrates her gratitude to GOD and her profound sense of humility by staying and helping Elizabeth for three months. She who is to be the Mother of the GOD-Man – Jesus, focuses not on herself but on assisting someone who needs her help.
The next time we hear Mary speak is when her youthful Son stays in the Temple in Jerusalem while Mary and Joseph look for Him for three days. Her words to Jesus are: “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety” (Luke 2: 48). She demonstrates her loving concern for Jesus and willingness to help Him look intently on what He needs to focus.
Mary’s last quoted words in the New Testament are at the wedding feast at Cana. There she simply mentions that there is no more wine. She then speaks to the servants saying, “Do whatever He tells you” She knows that Jesus will assist and that the servers need to do what is asked of them by Jesus” (John 2: 5).
Mary’s words and her actions throughout the life of her Son, Jesus, demonstrate her connection with Jesus and with those to whom He ministers. She is filled with humility and loving actions. These virtues continue to be manifested throughout the New Testament as we hear in today’s readings. And they do not stop there. Mary is still interceding for the Church – Body of Jesus – her Son and all who are joined to Him. Thus, we can call upon Mary as the Mother of Church as we celebrate today.
- The personal question/action for today: How do I see Mary’s role as the Mother of the Church? What qualities of Mary do I seek to emulate: humility, servant attitude, praying for others, loving concern, obedience to the will of GOD, another quality not listed? For what do I seek Mary’s intercession with her Son?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, for in Your Divine plan, You chose Mary to be the Mother of Your Son, Jesus. She is the model of discipleship-servant-leadership in her willingness to do Your will and provide loving care for Jesus. From the cross, Jesus gave Mary to John, and all His disciples and all believers to Mary. We honor Mary as the Mother of the Church and call upon her to intercede on our behalf so that we can be faithful followers of Jesus. Help us look to Mary and her loving care and follow her example of humility, obedience, and acceptance of Your will. We make this prayer to You in the name of Jesus, Your Son and the Son of Mary, and through the intercession of Mary. To You, loving Abba-Father, through Jesus, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honor, glory, and praise; for You, the Most Blessed Trinity, are our one and only GOD for ever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bGR6OiZySQ&t=2s
Ave Maria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvNf0xg_OPY
Magnificat - Mary’s Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_iixWJo-7k
Video of the Day: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bGR6OiZySQ
Pope Francis establishes a universal feast day for Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church:
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/03/03/pope-francis-establishes-universal-feast-day- blessed-vi rgin-mary-mother-church
St. Bernardine of Siena: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG_-KCeJTrg
One site from which you can download and watch the movie, Full of Grace:
https://www.amazon.com/Full-Grace-Noam-Jenkins/dp/B07G522CXG
© rjk, 12-13-22