Memorial of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
(Acts 1:12-14; John 19:25-34)
Today for the first time throughout the world the Church
celebrates Mary as Mother of the Church.
Pope Francis decreed the innovation in order to tie Christian life more
closely to the cross and to Mary. Today’s
gospel eloquently illustrates this linkage.
The passage relates John’s version of Jesus’ death and of
the formation of the first Christian community.
From the cross Jesus introduces his mother to his beloved disciple and
his disciple to his mother. He does not
mean simply that his beloved disciple care for his mother. Rather, he wants them to unite with his other
disciples as a community of believers. As
the Church requires the Holy Spirit, the gospel specifies that Jesus “hand(s)
over his spirit,” ostensibly to them. Mother
and son form one family, the children of God, whose task is to proclaim the
Father’s love to the world.
We are called into that relationship. With Mary teaching us, we learn how to
reflect over the events of our lives as encounters with God. With brother and sister Christians we give
witness to Christ’s resurrection by our joy in humble service.
