HOMILY FOR JUNE I, MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

*HOMILY FOR JUNE 1, 2020 MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH*
Genesis 3: 9-15, 20   or    Acts 1: 12-14;          Psalm 87: 1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7  John 19: 25-34 Nota Bene: On March 3, 2018, Pope Francis formally announced that the from that year on, the Monday after Pentecost would be the Required Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church with the readings listed above.
 *BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH*
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 963) states that Since the Virgin Mary's role in the mystery of Christ and the Spirit has been treated, it is fitting now to consider her place in the mystery of the Church. "The Virgin Mary . . . is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer.... She is 'clearly the mother of the members of Christ' . . . since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head."  In CCC 964, Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. "This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ's virginal conception up to his death"; it is made manifest above all at the hour of his Passion:
Thus the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross. There she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, enduring with her only begotten Son the intensity of his suffering, joining herself with his sacrifice in her mother's heart, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this victim, born of her: to be given, by the same Christ Jesus dying on the cross, as a mother to his disciple, with these words: "Woman, behold your son." CCC 965 states that after her Son's Ascension, Mary "aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers." In her association with the apostles and several women, "we also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation." In CCC 966, "Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death." The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians. In CCC 968, Mary’s role in relation to the Church and to all humanity goes still further. "In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior's work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace." We should note that this motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation .... Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix" (CCC 969). "Mary's function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin's salutary influence on men . . . flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it, and draws all its power from it. No creature could ever be counted along with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer (CCC 970).
Our readings remind us of the role of Mary in the life of not only Jesus, but also of the church.  We see Mary’s role in giving birth to the One Who would defeat evil by His dying on the cross, the platform from which He gave His mother to His disciple (and to all disciples) and also gave His disciple and all members of the church to His Mother.  We also have a glimpse of Mary’s role with early church as she prays with them. In the reading from Genesis, after the sin of Adam and Eve, God speaks of the tension which will exist between the offspring of the serpent (the devil) and offspring of Eve.  One of Eve’s descendant will give birth to a Son Who will battle with the offspring of the (d)evil and He will be injured in the battle, but will win the ultimate victory over (d)evil. The other alternate First Reading (from the Acts of the Apostles) gives us one view of Mary’s participation in the beginning of the church.  She gathers with the apostles and other early disciples and prays with them. The Responsorial is “Glorious things are told of you, O City of God.”  Mary has been linked to the City of God in that in her dwelled the God-Man, Jesus.  As the psalm says, “One and all were born in her, and the One Who established her is the Most High God.” The Gospel is the account of Jesus’ death on the cross from St. John’s Gospel.  As Jesus looks down from the cross He sees His mother and His beloved disciple.  He gives them to each other.  This symbolizes Jesus giving His mother Mary to the church and the church to Mary.
*MEDITATION* How do I see Mary’s role as the Mother of the Church?  What qualities of Mary do I seek to emulate: humility, servant attitude, praying for others, loving concern, obedience to the will of God, another quality not listed?  For what do I seek Mary’s intercession with her Son?
*PRAYER* Lord God, we honor Mary as the Mother of the Church and call upon her to intercede on our behalf so that we can be faithful followers of Jesus.  Help us look to Mary and her loving care and follow her example of humility, obedience, and acceptance of Your will.  We make this prayer to You in the name of Jesus, the Son of Mary, and through the intercession of Mary.  Amen.
© Rev Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM