THE MOTHER OF GOD
Jesus gave Mary as our Mother when, after He had been nailed to the
cross, He addressed her in these words: "Woman, behold your Son." He
said to John, "Behold your mother."
How often have we
contemplated Mary with the Child in her arms! And Christian piety had inspired
the countless different works of art which represent the feast we celebrate
today - the Motherhood of Mary.
Mary is our Lady,
full of grace and virtue, conceived without sin, who is the Mother of God and
our Mother, and who dwells both body and soul in heaven. Sacred Scripture
refers to her as the most exalted of all creatures, the blessed one, the most
honored among women, full of grace, she whom all generations shall call
blessed.
In the second
reading in this Octave Day of Christmas we heard the following. When the
fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, both under the
law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons
and daughters.
Jesus did not
suddenly appear on earth out of heaven. He became truly man, like us, taking on
our human nature in the most pure womb of the Virgin Mary. Yet as the Second
Person of the Trinity, He is begotten, not made, by God the Father from all
eternity.
That Mary is truly
our mother is loving and consoling. Mary conceived, brought forth and nourished
Jesus. She presented Him in the temple, and participated in her Son's
sufferings as he died on the Cross. She cooperated by her obedience, faith,
hope, and burning charity in the work of the Savior in restoring supernatural
life to souls. For this reason she is a Mother to us in the order of grace.
Jesus gave Mary as
our Mother when, after He had been nailed to the cross, He addressed her in
these words: "Woman, behold your Son." He said to John, "Behold
your mother." From that day onward the whole Church has her as Mother. And
all human life has her as Mother.
In the Gospel: Mary
treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart!
The heart of
Mary---To know what goes on inside the heart of another is an intimate
knowledge.
Points to Pray and Ponder: Today, as we 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 2016.
During this year of mercy, may God continue to bless us in His mercy!