SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Today, as we reflect and honor Mary, we can
say to her, at least in our hearts without the use of words, "My
Mother," and feel that she is protecting us and encouraging us to begin
this New Holy Year 2014.
How
often have we contemplated Mary with the Child in her arms? And, Christian
piety has inspired the countless works of art that represent the feast we
celebrate today - Mary's Divine Motherhood. Mary is our Lady, full of grace and
virtue, conceived without sin. She is the Mother of God and our Mother, who
dwells both body and soul in heaven. Sacred Scripture refers to her as the
blessed one, the most honored among women, full of grace, she whom all
generations shall call blessed.
In the
second reading, we read Paul's Letter to the Galatians, "When the fullness
of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to
ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons"
(Gal 4:4-5). Jesus did not suddenly appear on earth. He became truly man, like
us, taking on our human nature in the most pure womb of the Virgin Mary.
Insofar as He is God, Jesus is generated, not made, by God the Father from all
eternity. Insofar as He is man, He was born, was made, of Mary.
Our
blessed Mother is loving and consoling. She truly is our Mother in that she
continually gives birth to the supernatural life within her. She conceived,
brought forth, nourished Christ and presented Him to the Father in the temple.
Mary shared in her Son's sufferings as He died on the Cross. Her obedience,
faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Savior provided a means of
supernatural life in our souls. For this reason she is a Mother to us in the
order of grace.
Jesus
gave Mary to us as our Mother when, after He had been nailed to the Cross, He
addressed her in these words: "'Woman, behold your Son.' Then He said to
the disciple, "Behold, your mother" (Jn 19:26-27). From that day
onward, the whole Church has her as Its Mother. And all human life has her as
Mother.
In the
Gospel, we hear that "Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in
her heart" (Lk 2:19)! The heart of Mary; to know what goes on inside the
heart of another is an intimate knowledge. Often, we don't even know what transpires
within our own heart. But Mary knew. She knew that God had entered her life
with a special calling - to conceive and bear Jesus. As we know from subsequent
history, both joy and sorrow filled Mary's inner life.
Like
the shepherds who were also graced with a special revelation, Mary glorified
and praised God for Who He was in her life. We have here one the highest forms
of prayer. Unlike the prayer of thanksgiving or the prayer of petition or the
prayer of forgiveness, all which involve a huge portion of "self,"
the prayer of praise focuses on the mystery of God. It is prayer of
self-forgetfulness and recognition of God's majesty.
Mary's
heart was large. It contained not only reflections of God's marvelous deeds,
but it also housed all she met. The shepherds were offered hospitality, as were
the disciples whom Jesus would later call. Neighbors received a warm welcome as
did strangers at the well. Mary's heart was more than reflective, it was a
haven for all who needed to experience God's love.
Today,
as we reflect and honor Mary, we can say to her, at least in our hearts without
the use of words, "My Mother," and feel that she is protecting us and
encouraging us to begin this New Holy Year 2014.
May God
continue to bless us in His mercy!