Monday, 20 May 2024. Readings: Genesis 3:9-15,20, Ps. 87, John 19:25-34
“When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’” (John 19:26-27)
Today, the church commemorates Mary as “Mother of the Church.” The Blessed Virgin Mary has many titles; some are easy to understand, while others, such as “Mother of God” or “Ever Virgin”, sound controversial. To say God has a mother is like saying a woman is greater than God, but that is not what is meant or intended by that title. Our immoral generation can not comprehend perpetual virginity for a girl above 16, let alone virginity for a married woman whose husband, Joseph, was alive and healthy and shared the same roof with her. The more we study Mary, the more we realise that all things are possible with God. Mary, far from being a goddess, is God’s creature, yet in her, we see what we can become if we allow God to work in us.
Today, we focus on the title “Mother of the Church”. What do we mean by this title? Are there any scriptural backings for it? Aren’t we praising Mary too much by calling her the mother of the church? These are some of the questions we shall examine in today’s lessons:
1. Meaning: When we say Mary is the Mother of the Church, we mean that she is the Mother of all who profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and God. The church goes beyond a building (made of bricks and stone); it is a collection of human beings (believers). This is where it gets interesting; Mary, as mother of the church, means that she is the mother of all who believe in the divinity of Jesus, not only those who are devoted to her. Some children grow up not knowing their mothers, some have no respect for their mothers, some have abandoned their mothers and so on, but nothing can take away the fact that those women are their mothers. Even if you have no regard for Mary (or feel offended by those who do), as long as you believe that Jesus is God and didn’t fall straight from heaven, Mary is your Mother.
2. Prophecy: Today’s First Reading teaches us that it was not by accident that Mary became the Mother of the Church. Mary is that woman God spoke about when He said to the serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15). We believe the woman is Mary and her offspring, Jesus Christ defeated satan (represented by the serpent) through His death and resurrection. As much as God was unhappy with the fall of Adam and Eve, He had in mind the need to save mankind, and Mary would play an important role in fulfilling this plan.
3. Responsibility: In today’s Gospel passage, St. John narrates what happened at the foot of the cross just before Jesus died: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own home.” John took care of Mary as his mother. As God’s children, we are also responsible for taking Mary home. We call her “Mama” and pray with her because we know she is very dear to God’s heart and emulate her virtues. Some Christians call their pastor’s wife “Mama”, but for us, Mary deserves such honour.
4. Presence: Again, another reason Mary is rightly called Mother of the Church is the role she played right from the moment of consenting to the Angel’s announcement. Mary, together with Joseph, raised Jesus, and you would agree with me that they both did a wonderful job. Mary was with Jesus throughout his hidden years of formation and public ministry. She instigated Jesus’ first public miracle, turning water into wine, which saved the day for the couple in Cana. When John took Mary home, Mary transferred her motherly care to John and other disciples. She was always present at their gatherings. Mary was with Jesus in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit descended on the church at Pentecost, and she is still present in the church today. History is replete with countless miracles crediting Mary’s intervention in our daily lives.
Conclusion: We are not giving Mary too much praise by celebrating her as Mother of the Church; rather, we are only recognising the honour that God gave to her by taking flesh in her womb. Mary is the Mother of the Church because she fulfilled the prophetic declaration in Genesis. She was present at all key moments in the development of the church, and as her children, it is our responsibility to take her home.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may your Mother intercede for us both now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Remember, amid all challenges, choose to be happy. Live with a positive mindset and believe in God’s plan for you. God bless you abundantly. (Mary, Mother of the Church. Bible Study: Genesis 3:9-15,20, Ps. 87, John 19:25-34).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
Today, the church commemorates Mary as “Mother of the Church.” The Blessed Virgin Mary has many titles; some are easy to understand, while others, such as “Mother of God” or “Ever Virgin”, sound controversial. To say God has a mother is like saying a woman is greater than God, but that is not what is meant or intended by that title. Our immoral generation can not comprehend perpetual virginity for a girl above 16, let alone virginity for a married woman whose husband, Joseph, was alive and healthy and shared the same roof with her. The more we study Mary, the more we realise that all things are possible with God. Mary, far from being a goddess, is God’s creature, yet in her, we see what we can become if we allow God to work in us.
Today, we focus on the title “Mother of the Church”. What do we mean by this title? Are there any scriptural backings for it? Aren’t we praising Mary too much by calling her the mother of the church? These are some of the questions we shall examine in today’s lessons:
1. Meaning: When we say Mary is the Mother of the Church, we mean that she is the Mother of all who profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and God. The church goes beyond a building (made of bricks and stone); it is a collection of human beings (believers). This is where it gets interesting; Mary, as mother of the church, means that she is the mother of all who believe in the divinity of Jesus, not only those who are devoted to her. Some children grow up not knowing their mothers, some have no respect for their mothers, some have abandoned their mothers and so on, but nothing can take away the fact that those women are their mothers. Even if you have no regard for Mary (or feel offended by those who do), as long as you believe that Jesus is God and didn’t fall straight from heaven, Mary is your Mother.
2. Prophecy: Today’s First Reading teaches us that it was not by accident that Mary became the Mother of the Church. Mary is that woman God spoke about when He said to the serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15). We believe the woman is Mary and her offspring, Jesus Christ defeated satan (represented by the serpent) through His death and resurrection. As much as God was unhappy with the fall of Adam and Eve, He had in mind the need to save mankind, and Mary would play an important role in fulfilling this plan.
3. Responsibility: In today’s Gospel passage, St. John narrates what happened at the foot of the cross just before Jesus died: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own home.” John took care of Mary as his mother. As God’s children, we are also responsible for taking Mary home. We call her “Mama” and pray with her because we know she is very dear to God’s heart and emulate her virtues. Some Christians call their pastor’s wife “Mama”, but for us, Mary deserves such honour.
4. Presence: Again, another reason Mary is rightly called Mother of the Church is the role she played right from the moment of consenting to the Angel’s announcement. Mary, together with Joseph, raised Jesus, and you would agree with me that they both did a wonderful job. Mary was with Jesus throughout his hidden years of formation and public ministry. She instigated Jesus’ first public miracle, turning water into wine, which saved the day for the couple in Cana. When John took Mary home, Mary transferred her motherly care to John and other disciples. She was always present at their gatherings. Mary was with Jesus in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit descended on the church at Pentecost, and she is still present in the church today. History is replete with countless miracles crediting Mary’s intervention in our daily lives.
Conclusion: We are not giving Mary too much praise by celebrating her as Mother of the Church; rather, we are only recognising the honour that God gave to her by taking flesh in her womb. Mary is the Mother of the Church because she fulfilled the prophetic declaration in Genesis. She was present at all key moments in the development of the church, and as her children, it is our responsibility to take her home.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may your Mother intercede for us both now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Remember, amid all challenges, choose to be happy. Live with a positive mindset and believe in God’s plan for you. God bless you abundantly. (Mary, Mother of the Church. Bible Study: Genesis 3:9-15,20, Ps. 87, John 19:25-34).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
Fr,u are doing well,thank you. I use this for my mental prayer every day. It’s very enriching
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