St. Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) This is true for all the gospel message of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. At the crucifixion, Jesus gave Mary as Mother to the disciple whom he loved. We read, “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, 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 to his own home.” (John 19:26-27)
This above act of love of a dying Son entrusting a sorrowful Mother to a beloved disciple is one worthy of our imitation as beloved disciples of Jesus whom we claim to be our Master. The Master in his wisdom thought it wise to give his Mother to us for a good reason. Who are we to refuse such an offer from our Lord Jesus Christ? After all, we all know that Jesus honoured his heavenly Father and his earthly Mother perfectly than any child ever did. “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19:3, Deuteronomy 5:16, Matthew 15:4, Mark 7:10, Ephesians 6:2)
Mary our Mother herself under the influence of the Holy Spirit proclaimed, “For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” (Luke 1:48 RSV) Would you obey Jesus? Would you accept his Mother as your Mother also? What are you waiting for?
By Godwin Delali Adadzie
Why is it significant that Jesus gave Mary as a mother to his beloved disciple?
The act of Jesus entrusting Mary to his beloved disciple at the crucifixion is a profound demonstration of love and care. This act is not just a personal arrangement between Jesus, Mary, and the disciple, but it has a universal significance for all Christians. Jesus, in his wisdom and love, gave us his own mother to be our spiritual mother. This is seen in John 19:26-27, “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, 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 to his own home.” This act signifies that Mary, the Mother of God, is also the mother of all who follow Christ.
What does it mean to honor Mary as our mother?
Honoring Mary as our mother means acknowledging her unique role in the history of salvation and seeking her intercession. As the mother of Jesus, Mary played a crucial role in God’s plan for our salvation. By accepting God’s will at the Annunciation, she became the Mother of God (Luke 1:38). Honoring Mary is in line with the commandment to “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). This honor is not just about respect, but also about love, devotion, and imitation of her virtues.
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How does Mary’s proclamation under the influence of the Holy Spirit relate to her role as our spiritual mother?
Mary’s proclamation, “For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48), is a prophetic statement about her enduring significance in the Church. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Mary foretold the honor she would receive from all generations as the Mother of God and our spiritual mother. This proclamation is a testament to her humility, faith, and obedience to God’s will. As our spiritual mother, Mary leads us to her Son, Jesus, and intercedes for us in our spiritual journey.
Why should we accept Mary as our spiritual mother?
Accepting Mary as our spiritual mother is a response to Jesus’ command from the cross. It is an act of obedience to Jesus and a recognition of the unique role that Mary plays in our spiritual life. As our spiritual mother, Mary provides us with a model of faith, obedience, and love for God. She intercedes for us and guides us to her Son, Jesus. Accepting Mary as our mother also means joining in the tradition of the Church, which has venerated Mary since the earliest times.
How does the honor given to Mary relate to the honor we should give to our earthly parents?
The commandment to “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12) applies to both our earthly parents and our spiritual parents. Just as we are called to honor, respect, and love our earthly parents, we are also called to honor Mary as our spiritual mother. The honor given to Mary does not detract from the honor due to our earthly parents. Instead, it complements it, as all honor ultimately leads us to God, the source of all life and love.
How does accepting Mary as our mother align with the gospel message of salvation?
The gospel message of salvation is about God’s love for humanity and His plan to save us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Mary, as the Mother of Jesus, plays a crucial role in this plan of salvation. By accepting Mary as our mother, we acknowledge her role in God’s plan and seek her intercession and guidance in our journey towards salvation. This aligns with St. Paul’s statement, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Accepting Mary as our mother is part of embracing the fullness of the gospel message.
How does Jesus’ perfect honor of His heavenly Father and earthly mother serve as a model for us?
Jesus perfectly honored His heavenly Father and His earthly mother, setting a model for us to follow. He obeyed His Father’s will even unto death (Philippians 2:8) and respected and cared for His mother, as seen when He entrusted her to His beloved disciple at the cross (John 19:26-27). Following Jesus’ example, we are called to honor God and Mary, and by extension, all those who hold a rightful place of respect in our lives.
What does it mean to imitate the love of Jesus in accepting Mary as our mother?
Imitating the love of Jesus in accepting Mary as our mother means embracing her with the same love and respect that Jesus showed her. It means acknowledging her role in God’s plan of salvation, seeking her intercession, and striving to imitate her virtues. Just as Jesus entrusted His beloved disciple to Mary, we too are entrusted to her care. By accepting Mary as our mother, we participate in the love that Jesus has for her and for all of humanity.
How does the veneration of Mary enhance our relationship with Jesus?
The veneration of Mary brings us closer to Jesus. Mary always points us to her Son and invites us to follow Him. As St. Louis de Montfort said, “To Jesus through Mary.” By honoring Mary, we honor Jesus, who chose her to be His mother. The veneration of Mary is not an end in itself, but a means to deepen our relationship with Jesus, who is the ultimate end of all devotion.
What are the implications of Mary’s statement, “all generations will call me blessed”?
Mary’s statement, “all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48), is a prophecy that has been fulfilled in the Church’s veneration of Mary throughout the centuries. This prophecy indicates the enduring significance of Mary in the life of the Church and in the lives of individual believers. It implies that Mary’s role as the Mother of God and our spiritual mother is not confined to a particular time or place, but is universal and timeless. It also underscores the blessing that Mary is to all generations, as she intercedes for us and guides us to her Son, Jesus.
