I - Acts 3: 9-15, 20
II - Jn. 19: 25-34
MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH (Feast)
Because of one woman, sin entered the world and because of one woman, salvation came to the World. Because of Eve, the Paradise was lost and because of Mary, the Paradise was regained. The feast of Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church is celebrated on the Monday after the Pentecost. It was established by Pope Francis in 2018. Mary conceived Jesus by the Power of the Holy Spirit and the Church was born by the Power of the Holy Spirit when Mother Mary was with the disciples in the upper room. Mary, full of Holy Spirit is involved in both: the birth of Jesus and the birth of the Church. Therefore it is befitting that Mary, the Mother of God is also celebrated as ‘Mother of the Church’ on the day after the Pentecost, the birthday of the Church.
In the Gospel passage we read that Jesus on the cross gives Mother Mary as ‘Mother’ to John. John under the foot of the cross represents the Church and through John Jesus entrusts the entire Church, the mystical body of Christ into the motherhood of Mary. Today let us thank God for the gift of Mother Mary as ‘Mother of the Church’ and pray for the Church that she may battle against all odds in defending her supremacy in this corrupt world. Pray for also every Christian called to be the Church of God that they may be courageous in bearing witness to the Gospel vales of Christ. Mary our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Mary, Mother of Church, Pray for us”.
