Monday, May 25

SAINT MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

“Behold, your Mother.” Jn. 19:25-34

In Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus our Savior; next to the cross she lives another painful “birth”: because there Jesus gives his Mother to all his brothers and sisters whom He is saving, represented in John so that from now on she may be his Mother. This family, which Jesus is drawing to the Father, will have the care and loving protection of Holy Mary, his Mother, the one who gave Him his human existence. Did Mary imagine how far that generous “yes” she gave in Nazareth would take her to the plan of the Most High God? She would be the Mother of the Redeemer, and also the Mother of all those redeemed by the sacrifice of her Son. She will be the Mother who consoles, the Teacher who educates our faith, the Companion on the journey, the Counselor in our darkness, the Model of what it means to be disciples of Jesus.