Mary, Mother of the Church, Monday – 06th June 2022 — Gospel: Jn 19,25-27
Through Mary to Jesus
Pope Paul VI declared Mary as Mother of the Church on November 21, 1964. On 3rd March 2018 Pope Francis approved and announced the new celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Church, to be celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost. Through Scripture and tradition, we see clearly how Mary has been “Mother of the Church” as she remains an excellent role model of 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, the Mother of the Church, which is 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 of whom the early church looked in proclaiming the good news of Jesus after His ascension into heaven.
No one was closer to Jesus than Mary, his mother. She carried him in her womb, loved and taught him as a child. She was his first disciple. Along with John and Mary Magdalene, she remained close to Jesus till the end. At the cross, Jesus gave His mother to His disciple (and to all disciples) and also gave His disciple and all members of the church to His mother. Thus, she became our mother, and wants to be with us through our joys and sufferings. In heaven, Mary is still close to Jesus. When we pray to her, she brings him our needs. If we want to grow close to Jesus, we draw close to Mary. St.Louis de Montfort wrote, “Mary is the quickest, shortest, and easiest path to Jesus.” May we continue to look to Mary, the Mother of the Church, and follow her example of being a disciple of her Son.
