Monday, June 6, 2022

 Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church

(Acts 1:12-14; John 19: 25-34)

Today’s feast or, more accurately, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, has only been established recently.  It serves at least two purposes.  It justly extends the celebration of Pentecost by a day.  It also draws attention to the family aspect of the Church.

Conventional wisdom sees today’s gospel as Jesus providing for his widow mother.  However true that is, the evangelist likely has more in mind by the Beloved Disciple and Mary taking one another as his and her own.  Jesus is forming his Church.  In handing over his spirit a few verses later, he is enlivening the Church with the Holy Spirit.  The scene can be called “a second Pentecost.”

The chief characteristic of the Church formed by Jesus’ mother and Beloved Disciple will be familiar love.  In the Church we share not only Jesus’ Spirit but his body and blood as well.  This reality helps us to see one another in the Church in a revered way.  We may not be as close to most Church brothers and sisters as we are to our natural siblings.  Nevertheless, we should offer them extra care and affection.

No comments: