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THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH JUNE 10, 2019 MEMORIAL

Olivia M. Bannan

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 19:25-34

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst." There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

REFLECTION: “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “ Behold your mother.”

When I was young, anything broken, anytime I was hurting, anytime I was lonely I would find my mother and she would fix and take care of it all. My friends, she knew, and she accepted them with love and affection. Mom nurtured me in my faith and love for God.

Jesus prepared us for His departure by leaving us the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. And before He died He gave us His Mother to be our spiritual mother and we were to be her spiritual children. She was the Mother of the new Church.

Our Mother Mary cares for our souls, cares for us here on earth. She shows us unconditional love and compassion rather than rejection and gives to God anything that is troubling us. She works with us in our unique gifts and our ways of loving. When we fail, as any mother, Mother Mary tells us to get up and try again. And as in Cana she shows us confidence, trust, perseverance and complete abandonment to God. She brings you to her Son who will give you peace.

Do we let Mary in our home just as John? Have we asked Mother Mary to show us her tenderness and love? As she prayed with the disciples before Pentecost, let us ask Mother Mary to show us how to pray for our priests.


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