Monday | May 20, 2024
John 19:27
Then [Jesus] said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Mary, Our True Mother
Today, we celebrate the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, a feast established by Pope Francis in 2018. It recalls that Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus, but she is also the Mother of the whole Church. But, at first glance, today’s readings don’t seem very celebratory. Rather, they are permeated with darkness and evil. Adam and Eve have flagrantly disobeyed God. When confronted, Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent. What’s to celebrate in that?
The Gospel, too, paints a horrific scene: Jesus dying on the Cross. Mary watches helplessly as her son is brutally executed by forces far beyond her control.
These stark readings remind us that Mary is our Mother not because she was preserved from trials, anguish and the effects of evil. She is our Mother because she is truly one of us.
Mary, our loving Mother, help us to be men and women of faith as we face the adversities of life.
- Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
Genesis 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14 • Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7 • John 19:25-34
