Votive Mass for Mary, Image and Mother of the Church

[Scripture Readings: Micah 2:1-5; Mt 12:14-21 ]

In Solomon's Song of Songs the image of our relationship with God is that of a Beloved with her Lover, “I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine,” (Sg. 6:3). In the Virgin Mary this image is the perfect icon of what God wants us to be.

But the title “Beloved” belongs to Jesus most of all. It is the Father's preferred title for Jesus: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased, listen to him,” (Mt 17:5). And what does Jesus, the Beloved, tell us? He reveals that the Father loves us even as He loves his Son.

We who are bruised reeds and smouldering wicks, even we can sing, “I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine.”