In the Catholic Church, the Monday after Pentecost Sunday, is the “Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.” This celebration was declared, in the words of Pope Francis, “to help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God.”
What vivid images to reflect on; “Anchored” to the Cross, the Eucharist, and the Blessed Virgin Mary who is both “Mother of the Redeemer” and “Mother of the Redeemed.”
The Gospel chosen for this memorial presents to us the image of the Blessed Mother standing before the Cross of her Son (John 19:25-34). While standing there, she heard Jesus say the words, “I thirst.” He was given some wine on a sponge and then declared, “It is finished.” Jesus’ Blessed Mother, the Mother of the Redeemer, stood as a witness as the Cross of her Son became the source of the redemption of the World. As He took that last drink of wine, He completed the institution of the New and Eternal Passover Meal, the Holy Eucharist.
Just prior to His dying, Jesus declared to His mother that she would now be the “Mother of the Redeemed,” in other words, the mother of each member of the Church. This gift of Jesus’ mother to the Church was symbolized by Him saying, “Behold, your son” to Mary, and to John, “Behold, your mother.”
As we celebrate this memorial within the Church, it should make us ponder our relationship to the Cross, to the Eucharist and to our heavenly mother. If we are willing to stand by the Cross, gaze at it with our Blessed Mother, and witness Jesus pour forth His precious blood for the salvation of the world, then we are also privileged to hear Him say to us, “Behold, your mother.”
When I think of Mary, I imagine how gracious she must have been. There must have been so many who sought her out, for advice, for comfort, for counsel, for wisdom, and guidance, or just to be near this beautiful woman who radiated love. Who else besides Joseph spent as much time with Jesus, learning the secrets of Love from the source Himself? She must have been that relative, friend and confidante that everyone wanted to be close to. She was always thinking of others; I remember her roles at the wedding at Cana, and her visit to Elizabeth. I imagine how she would greet visitors with a smile, kind words, something to eat or drink, and of course patience, even if she was interrupted from her daily tasks. I imagine she treated everyone like family, ready to serve or help. She was simply present for them with love.
“Behold, your mother!” (John 19:27)
Catholic Tradition tells us there is more to this directive from Jesus than simply handing His mother over to John. Looking at just the Scripture, it reads as if He said it emphatically. How important they must be! This is not something Jesus would have had to tell John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. Of course John would have taken care of Mary as he would his own mother.
Because of our human nature, we tend to think of things in our own extremely limited way. God can help us see in His way, which is always unlimited. This God who can do all things, and has given us everything He had to give, even to give up His life for our salvation, has also given us His mother!
“Enraged at her escape, the dragon went off to make war on the rest of her offspring…” (Revelation 12:17)
From the perspective of our limited human minds and hearts it may not seem that she could be our Mother, but if we try to understand from the mind and heart of God, His Sacred Loving Heart, then how can a God who has given us everything, hold anything back? It’s impossible for the Love of God to do that. So, Jesus was emphatically telling us in His way, “You whom I love, I have given you My all! I have but one thing left to give. Here is your Mother!”
Our Blessed Mother, a woman of unequaled compassion, tenderness, and generosity who now loves each of us as her own child. We are her offspring. Who can fathom such a gift?
“Woman, behold your son!” (John 19:26)
Jesus is really saying, “ Mother, these little ones, my children, I give each of them to you.”
This God, full of surprises, even to the very end of His life on earth, once again shattered the notions of mere men at what God can and will do for love of us.
Of course then, this God of wonder and surprises, allows us to speak to Our Mother in our prayers. From God’s perspective, why wouldn’t He? And she of course, prays for us, as He also allows her to speak to our hearts. Because our souls are encased in our physical bodies, we see the material world, and at times (if God allows), glimpses of the spiritual world, but that doesn’t mean that in the spiritual world they can’t and don’t “see” us. Let’s not put our limits on God! So, she is as present to us as she was to those in Nazareth. She is as ready to help, console, and serve as she was then, and even more so that Jesus has given her a capacity to love each of us as her own child.
Mary is our Mother, given to us by Jesus Himself. She is ready to take our hand, and always, always takes us back to Jesus. Besides Himself, she is the greatest gift that He has given us! Stay close to our heavenly mother. Seek her maternal care and protection and allow her prayers to daily draw us closer to her Son.
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