Mary And The Church

 

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 19:26-7)

These two verses in St John’s Gospel may seem inconsequential at first glance, yet contained in them is the symbolic relationship of Mary and ourselves. We, the members of Christ’s Church, are truly sons and daughters of Mary. She is both the Mother of God, and also of the Body of Christ, the Church.

Her role within the Church is inextricably linked with her unique relationship with Christ: ‘This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death” (CCC 964)

Mary’s spiritual motherhood is explained under the concept of her being our Mother in the order of grace (cf. CCC 967). That is through her cooperation in the redemptive work of Christ – by way of her exercising of such virtues as faith, hope and love as well as her obedience – in saving souls. She is our Mother.

From the Annunciation through to the present, Mary has continued this role, this saving mission in unity with her Son. Her ‘manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation… Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix.’ (CCC 969) Mary is one who intercedes for us to the Son. She has appeared many times to people such as St Bernadette Soubirous and the visionaries of Fatima, and given us so much direction and help so as to save our souls. Prayers such as the Rosary, are one such example of Mary’s intercessory prayer.

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But Mary’s work in the salvation of souls does not in any way detract from the work of Jesus. One of the most common arguments people have against devotion to Mary is that God chose her to be the Mother of his Son and because of this he willed her to be full of grace. She is not special in her own right, why have a devotion to Mary or ask for her intercession when you can go straight to God?

Sadly, they are missing the point. Mary’s role in salvation is unique. She was chosen for the individual honour of being the Mother of God; she was conceived with original grace; she was assumed into Heaven body and soul.

Yes, God gave her the profound honour of being the Mother of God, free from the wages of sin, but it is his power that is demonstrated through the life of Mary. Mary ‘in no way obscures or diminishes this unique meditation of Christ, but rather shows its power’; her ‘salutary influence on men … flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it, and draws all its power from it.’ (CCC 970)

So it is then, that the power of God is witnessed through Mary. Just as she is an example of the holiness and special relationship we all hope to have with God for eternity, Our Lady is more than just the Mother of God, simply an instrument for the Son to come among us.

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She is the Mother of all men and through her intercession, obedience and charity; her willing participation in the saving of souls, she demonstrates to all of us the awesome power of God. And God, in turn, has reserved a special place for her as a revered being.

Mary herself said in her Magnificat, in the Gospel of Luke, that ‘All generations will call me blessed’ and indeed, the Catholic Church continues to honour her by way of a special devotion. This devotion is not adoration – that is reserved for the members of the Trinity – rather a dedication and affection for Our Lady which in turn strengthens our adoration for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

In the Church’s calendar we honour Mary’s unique contribution and cooperation in the redemptive work of her Son on such feasts as the Assumption (August 15) and the Immaculate Conception (December 8).

But Mary’s relationship with the Church does not end with a special devotion: ‘At once virgin and mother, Mary is the symbol and the most perfect realization of the Church: “the Church indeed… by receiving the word of God in faith becomes herself a mother. By preaching and Baptism she brings forth sons, who are conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of God, to a new and immortal life. She herself is a virgin, who keeps in its entirety and purity the faith she pledged to her spouse.” [LG 64; cf. 63]’ (CCC 507)

Through Mary’s unique role, she is also the symbol of what the Church is and needs to be. We too, as members of this Body of Christ, are called to join in this mission. Mary’s obedience to God’s plan for salvation is something we all ought to aspire too. For who knows what great things God might use us for, if we only say yes to him when he asks!

 

Originally posted 2014-12-09 22:25:22.

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