DAILY HOMILIES #Mother of the Church

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. Even if you have no regard for Mary (or feel offended by those who do), as long as you believe that Jesus is God and didn’t fall straight from heaven, Mary is your Mother.

Just as John took her home upon hearing the words, “Behold Your Mother” we also take Mary home through our devotional practices. One may ask, does Mary deserve this title? What makes her mother of the church? Mary, together with Joseph raised Jesus. She was with him throughout his hidden years of formation and remained with him all through his public ministry. Mary instigated Jesus’ first public miracle for the good of the couple in Cana.