THE UMBILICAL CORD WHICH CONNECTS JESUS TO MARY IS BOTH HUMAN AND DIVINE.
Monday, May 29, 2023.
MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH (MEMORIAL)
Psalm 87: 1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7
Gospel. John 19:25-34
TOPIC FOR REFLECTION
WHY IS MARY CALLED MOTHER OF THE CHURCH?
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In the Roman Catholic Church, there is a study called Mariology. It means the study of Mary.
However, the title Mother of the Church in Latin is called Mater Ecclesiae. This title was officially given to Mary by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964, after the Second Vatican Council’s third session.
Although the title was first used for Mary in the 4th century by Saint Ambrose of Milan, later, it was also used by Pope Benedict XIV in 1748 and later by Pope Leo XIII in 1885. It was Pope John Paul II who added it to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, while Pope Francis added it to the Roman Missal Calendar to be celebrated as a memorial by the title "Mother of the Church" every Monday of the year which follows Pentecost Sunday.
Therefore, it was February 11, 2018, the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes at the 160th anniversary of the Lourdes' apparitions; the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments inscribed a new obligatory Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of The Church, into the General Roman Calendar, and it was issued on March 3, 2018. This memorial will be celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost. Latin liturgical texts were also promulgated on the same day.
WHY THE MEMORIAL
HERE ARE A FEW REASONS AMONG MANY WHY MARY IS CALLED THE "MOTHER OF THE CHURCH"
What is certain in the life of the CATHOLIC CHURCH is that the history of the Church is never complete without the Blessed Virgin Mary. Just as there is no complete story of a man without his mother.
Below are some of the reasons...
Mary at Annunciation when she was told she will conceive Jesus. Her "Fiat" brought about our salvation
At the wedding of Cana in Galilee, Mary made Jesus perform His first miracle, even though it was not yet His time.
Mary journeyed with Jesus during His passion and was present at the foot of the Cross where He was crucified and died
Mary together with the Apostles in the upper room prayed till the Holy Spirit descended upon them.
Mary witnessed the arrival and departure of Jesus in His human form from this world, and she was physically present when the church began officially.
IN SUMMARY
If there is no complete story of a man without his mother because the umbilical cord which connects the baby to the mother's placenta makes the bond strong.
Invariably, the umbilical cord which connects Jesus to Mary is both human and divine.
Hence, the bond between Mary and Jesus is everlasting.
More reason for the prayer: JESUS LIVING IN MARY...
Therefore, Mary’s role in the Church of her Son, Jesus Christ can not be overemphasised. Her union with Christ flows directly to us today.
So, this unbreakable union of Mother and Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to His passion and death, and the descent of the Holy Spirit.
We pray today that the Mother of the Church continues to intercede for us all.
Peace ✌️ be with you.
Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.
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