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 cannot comprehend the title “Ever Virgin” for a 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 questions are answered in today’s readings.
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). Mary, as the mother of the church, refers to her role as the mother of all who believe in the divinity of Jesus, not just 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. Mary remains the mother of those who have no regard for her, so long as they believe that Jesus is God. To say that Jesus is God (and He didn’t jump down from heaven) is to acknowledge that Mary is your mother.
The Book of Revelation 12:17 revealed this fact: “Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.” Anyone who holds the testimony of Jesus is a child of Mary.
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 displeased with the fall of Adam and Eve, He had in mind the need to save humanity, and Mary would play a crucial role in fulfilling this plan.
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 bringing 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.
Again, another reason Mary is rightly called the Mother of the Church is the role she played from the moment she consented to the Angel’s announcement. Mary, together with Joseph, raised Jesus, and you would agree with me that they both did an excellent 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 the other disciples. She was always present at their gatherings. Mary was with Jesus in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit descended upon the church at Pentecost, and she remains present in the church today. History is replete with countless miracles crediting Mary’s intervention in our daily lives.
We are not giving Mary too much praise by celebrating her as Mother of the Church; instead, 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: Almighty, ever-living God, may your Mother intercede for us both now and at the hour of our death. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Mary, Mother of the Church Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Genesis 3:9-15,20, Ps. 87, John 19:25-34).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu