MONDAY, EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Gen 3: 9-15, 20 / Acts 1: 12-14 Ps: 87: 1-3, 5-7 Jn 19: 25-34
MARY THE MODEL OF LIFE’S COMMITMENTS
There is a vast difference between the ideal and the real, the ‘ought-to-be’ and the actual; essentially what we are supposed to be and existentially what we realistically are. God’s direct question to Adam, “Where are you?” is a question to the conscience of each one of us, asking where we actually stand in life. The answer would either be: ‘God I am far from where I am supposed to be’ or ‘Lord, here I am, I am ready and willing.’ Our disposition to life depends on our response to this question. The moment we know that we stand nowhere in life, the blame game begins. We turn the blame of our failures upon anything we set our eyes on. But when we are committed and walk with God we also come to realize that the entire world is actually cooperating with us for our success.
The feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, is the recognition of Mary as the model of our life’s commitment. At the moment of Annunciation, Mary received her invitation to join hands with God for the salvation of the world. Mary whole heartedly co operates and stands by God facing every odds of life that came on her way. At the foot of the Cross, Jesus reminds Mary that her mission is not ended but continues in the Church as its mother. The words, “Behold your Son,” tells Mary that the New Israel, created by her Son through the shedding of His own blood on the Cross, has now become her family. Understanding this mission and committing herself wholeheartedly we see Mary not only goes to live in the house of apostle John, but also gathers all the apostles on the upper room in prayer for the reception of the Holy Spirit and moves on to Ephesus with John to nurture the infant Church there.
We face the question: can my life be modelled on Mary, my mother and can I commit myself to my family and my Church for its growth and holiness? With this commitment can I bridge the gap between my ideal and real?
Response: Worship God, all you angels
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