Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us

Readings: 1st: Gen 3:9-15, 20; Ps: 87; Gos: John 19:25-34

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is 1 June. Yesterday, with the celebration of the feast of Pentecost, we came to the end of the Easter season and the beginning of ordinary time in the church’s liturgical cycle, year A.

The celebration of the feast of Pentecost was the celebration of a promise fulfilled by Christ, who promised not to leave us orphans, by sending us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our mission.

Today, the church celebrates the memorial of Mary, the Mother the Church. This is another feast though which Christ assures us that, he is with us, and that he will not leave us orphans by placing the us under the protection of his Blessed Mother.

Like the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (Theotokos) celebrated on the 1 January, this memorial celebrates the maternity of Mary, as the Mother and protector of the church founded by Christ her Son.

So, in today’s gospel, Christ handed his beloved disciple over to his mother: “Woman, behold, your son…Son behold, your mother.” From this moment, Mary continued to live and pray with the apostles (Act 1:14). She also witnessed the Pentecost, and the birth of the new church.

Hence, as Mary accompanied Christ even to the foot of the cross, she continues to accompany and protect the church as a mother throughout its turbulent history and journey. She has never been, and will never be absent in the life of the church.

This is because, she is obedient to her son word: “Woman, behold, your son.” Also, she is faithful to her mission as the mother and protector of the church. A mission that Christ himself entrusted to her.

So, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and under the guidance and protection of a loving mother, the Church will continue to march forward.

So, as we celebrate this memorial today, especially in this turbulent moment in the history of church, let us ask Mary to intercede and protect the church from all evil.

Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us!

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!