Votive Mass of Mary, Mother of the Church

Scripture Readings: Heb 4:12-16;  Mk 2:13-17    

Today we honor Mary as Mother of the Church, and next June 10^th we will celebrate her motherhood again in a new memorial instituted by Pope Francis.

Mary’s title as Mother of the Church began at the foot of the Cross when Jesus said to her, “Woman, behold your son,” and to John, “Behold, your mother.”  It is by her love that Mary is mother of the whole mystical body of Christ.  When we are reborn and become sharers in God’s divine nature, it always happens by a singular act of her love for each person, a mother’s love that continues to protect, nourish and enable us so that we can love and do good and be here.  

There are countless icons of Mary holding the Child Jesus in her arms, close to her heart.  That’s the image we should have of Mary as our mother, holding each one of us in her arms close to her heart with her cheek pressing tenderly upon us.  For she loves each of us with the same love that she has for Jesus.