Reflections on the readings for Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (June 6, 2022): GN 3:9-15,20; PS 87:1-2,3,5,6-7; JN 19:25-34
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
“The faithful first called upon Mary with the title ‘Mother of God,’ ‘Mother of the Faithful’ or ‘our Mother’ to emphasize her personal relationship with each of her children..."
In the first reading for this Memorial venerating Mary as the Mother of the Church we hear the story from Genesis about happened after Adam and Eve disobeyed God. The fate of all humanity was changed because instead of embracing His love and revering and serving Him, they gave into the serpent’s temptation: they wanted instead to become like God. But even in that moment of sad disappointment with His children, the Almighty let them know that there was hope for His people. “Then the Lord said to the serpent: … ‘I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at His heel.’ The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of the living” (Genesis 3:14-15,20). Another woman would bear a Child who would destroy the power of evil and the finality of death. The Blessed Virgin Mary became the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Redeemer of the whole world. According to Pope St. John Paul II, “The faithful first called upon Mary with the title ‘Mother of God,’ ‘Mother of the Faithful’ or ‘our Mother’ to emphasize her personal relationship with each of her children. Later, because of the greater attention paid to the mystery of the Church and to Mary’s relationship to her, The Blessed Virgin began more frequently to be invoked as ‘Mother of the Church.’” The title ‘Mother of the Church’ thus reflects the deep conviction of the Christian faithful, who see in Mary not only the mother of the person of Christ, but also of the faithful.”
Mary is truly the New Eve. Our first parents failed God, but He did not fail them or any of us, their descendants. For all who follow her Son, we have a special relationship with Mary as our Mother -- Mother of the Church. Through her example and intercession with Jesus, the Head of His Church, we are able to draw more closely into His grace, to grow more like Him in faith, hope, and most especially, love. We can ask our Mother to help and protect the Church and to look after us who are members of the Body of Christ. We can also seek her gracious help for us as we communicate the divine message of mercy with those who do not yet know and love our Lord.