Dec 4 Mon
Jesus gives us his Mother to be our own.
When Our Lady consents to become the Mother of the Savior, she becomes the Mother of all men. By giving birth to Jesus, the Head of the Church, she spiritually engenders each of us as members in the Mystical Body of Christ.
Next to the Lord, when he is nailed to the Cross, stands Mary, John the beloved disciple and some holy women. Then the Lord says to her: 'Woman, behold thy son’. Then He says to the disciple, ‘Behold thy mother’.
This is a second Nativity. Mary gave birth, without pain, to her only-begotten Son in the stable of Bethlehem. Now though, she gives birth to her second son, John, amidst the suffering of the Cross. Now she suffers the pangs of birth for the millions of other spiritual children who will call her ‘Mother’ over the centuries. Now we understand why the Evangelist calls Christ Mary’s first-born son’. It is not because she has other sons of the flesh, but because she is to engender many children through the love of her heart.
How is my own personal relationship with her? Do I approach her trustingly as St John would? Do I often remember that she is at my side? Do I seek her intercession frequently?
Being a mother entails care and vigilance for the children. Thus, our Blessed Mother offers her spiritual protection to all without exception. She intercedes, and obtains the opportune graces of which all of us are in need. Just as Jesus is the Good Shepherd who calls his sheep by name. Mary distinguishes us personally from all others, and knows us by our name. Her maternal concern extends to our overall well-being, both of body and soul, but mostly to the supernatural life of her children.
She leads us to sanctity and to a more perfect identification with her Son. Thus, Our Lady collaborates in the mission of the Holy Spirit, who bestows on us supernatural life and grants us the grace to persevere in it.
“And from that hour, the disciple took her into his home". We see in these words of the Gospel an invitation for all Christians to bring Mary into their lives. We can visualize the young Apostle’s tremendous respect in all his everyday dealings with her. How full of confidence the conversations between the two must have been. We can appeal to her as her sons and daughters and ask her to ‘show us you are our mother.’
The most pleasing homage we can render to our Mother is to implore her maternal protection often. She knows of our vacillations, our concerns and our needs.
The incense of our prayer must rise up constantly to God Our Father. Time and again we ask Our Lady, who is already in heaven, body and soul, to petition Jesus for us.
Resolutions:
- To cast glances at the image of Our Mother in our room or place of work, frequently.
- To pray the Rosary, the Angelus. Three Hail Mary before going to rest.
- To utter many aspirations during the day, internally, without being noticed.
Today, we offer her forget-me-not flowers, which remind us of her continuous protection.
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