mother of us all
"One and all were born in her; And he who has established her is the Most High Lord." —Psalm 87:5
Do you feel frustrated when not getting the support you need? In life, our human frailties often prevent us from serving one another as we should. But don't despair! "We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 975).
As Mary "stood near the cross of Jesus," mother and Son shared the ultimate moment of rejection (see Jn 19:25). Yet there is no Resurrection without the Crucifixion. Evil did not triumph, "for it was impossible that death should keep its hold on him" (Acts 2:24). Christ's atoning sacrifice paved the way for our rebirth. God's plan that our salvation would come through the Church was manifested when "blood and water flowed out" (Jn 19:34) from Jesus' side. "As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam's side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross" (Catechism, 766).
Eve "became the mother of all the living" (Gn 3:20). Yet she fell into temptation and sinned. Mary's obedience remedied Eve's disobedience. Thus, Mary is the mother of those reborn in Christ, of "those who keep God's commandments and give witness to Jesus" (see Rv 12:17). Trust in the power of the Blessed Mother's intercession. She is ready, willing, and able to be your advocate.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, may all Your disciples joyfully obey Your command to behold and accept Mary as mother (Jn 19:26-27).
Promise: "Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." —–Jn 19:27, RNAB
Praise: The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, was instituted by Pope Francis on February 11, 2018 — the 160th anniversary of the apparition of Mary at Lourdes.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.