May 20, 2024
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Mary, Our True Mother
Then [Jesus] said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”

John 19:27

Today, we celebrate the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, a feast established by Pope Francis in 2018. It recalls that Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus, but she is also the Mother of the whole Church. But, at first glance, today’s readings don’t seem very celebratory. Rather, they are permeated with darkness and evil. Adam and Eve have flagrantly disobeyed God. When confronted, Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent. What’s to celebrate in that?

The Gospel, too, paints a horrific scene: Jesus dying on the Cross. Mary watches helplessly as her son is brutally executed by forces far beyond her control.

These stark readings remind us that Mary is our Mother not because she was preserved from trials, anguish and the effects of evil. She is our Mother because she is truly one of us.

Mary, our loving Mother, help us to be men and women of faith as we face the adversities of life.

- Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

Genesis 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14 • Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7 • John 19:25-34
Statue of Our Lady of Grace, selective focus. Photo by masterjew |stock.adobe.com
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Comments

May 20, 2024 at 02:18 PM

Amen.

May 20, 2024 at 11:01 AM

Praying for all the mothers (including me) with young adult children (my daughters Katie and Jessi). John 10:28-29, "I give them eternal life, and they will never die. No one will steal them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than anyone. No one can steal them out of My Father’s hand!" *** Thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit that Katie and Jessi professed their faith to You, Lord Jesus, when they were 5 and 4 :-) Draw them to Yourself, reveal Yourself in their choices and lead them not into temptations but deliver them from evil, and most of all, "don't let me their stumbling block!" Amen!!!

May 20, 2024 at 10:51 AM

Sister Melannie thank you so much for your insight on today's readings. The daily online mass for my church was not broadcast today and I was puzzled by the readings and how they related to the celebration of Mary. I have recently started saying the rosary each day and look forward to paying Mary special homage today as I am reminded that she is One of Us!

May 20, 2024 at 10:26 AM

Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. Mary is not our mother.

May 20, 2024 at 09:53 AM

Thank you Sister Melannie for a realistic and truthful reflection on Our Blessed Mother. Thinking back, she carried quite a heavy load from the time the angel came to her and told her that she was to be the Mother of Jesus. May we follow her example of complete surrender to God. Prayers for all those with special intentions today and asking our Blessed Mother to intercede to Our Lord for all the suffering people in this world. Amen

May 20, 2024 at 09:31 AM

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. ❤️

May 20, 2024 at 09:29 AM

Mary thank you for being with me yesterday in the hospital. I thank you and yes Jane I have been praying the St Bernard prayer everyday since my concussion. She brings such peace in my heart. Mary I love you!

May 20, 2024 at 09:21 AM

AMEN!

May 20, 2024 at 09:08 AM

Praying for all the prayer intentions spoken and unspoken as Jesus’ prayer for all believers in John 17: 11b, 15, 21-23, 26, “Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your Name. It is the Name (Jesus) you gave Me. Keep them safe so they can be one, just as you and I are one. I do not pray that you will take them out of the world. I pray that you will keep them safe from the evil one. Father, I pray they will be one, just as You are in Me and I am in You. I want them also to be in Us. Then the world will believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me. I did this so they would be one, just as We are One. I will be in them, just as You are in Me. This is so that they may be brought together perfectly as one. Then the world will know that You sent Me. It will also show the world that You have loved those You gave Me, just as You have loved Me. I have shown You to them. And I will continue to show You to them. Then the love You have for Me will be in them. I Myself (in the indwelling Holy Spirit) will be in them.” May each of us continue to know God, to love God, to enjoy God and to glorify God in your prayers and everyday life ♥️✝️♥️

May 20, 2024 at 08:52 AM

O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you O Virgin of virgins my mother. To you I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

Bill L.
May 20, 2024 at 11:54 AM

Thank you, Jane. One of my favorite prayers to our Mother Mary.

May 20, 2024 at 08:48 AM

Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

May 20, 2024 at 08:46 AM

Yesterday searching for something to watch, we watched an interview given by Pope Francis. In the background was a portrait of Our Lady Undoer of Knots. I believe in signs.

May 20, 2024 at 08:25 AM

Living faith family please keep Stephanie and her dad Ed in your prayers she works with me on Sunday and told me he's in hospital,due to complications of surgery. Mary watch over us in times of trouble. Ken

May 20, 2024 at 08:23 AM

Mary our Mother, please hold and protect in your arms your little child of God, Iris. Iris is 1 month old and has several health issues. Please pray for her and seek our beautiful Mother Mary's intercession.

May 20, 2024 at 07:54 AM

Indeed, Mary “is truly one of us!” *** Luke 1:28, “The angel came to her (Mary) and said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” *** Luke 1:41-43, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb.Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why am I so greatly favored that the mother of my Lord should visit me?” *** In the NIV translation of Luke 1:28, 43, “The angel went to her (Mary) and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”…….But why am I (Elizabeth) so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” ******* “Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus!” *** Grace means unmerited favor! Both Mary and Elizabeth were highly/so favored! *** Believers are like Mary and Elizabeth - highly/so favored with God’s grace in John 14:17, “That friend is the Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit). The world can’t accept Him. That’s because the world does not see Him or know Him. But you know Him. He lives with you, and He will be in you.” *** Ephesians 2:8-9, “God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your Salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it! ******* Mary declared the same in Luke 1:46-47, “Mary said, “My soul gives glory to the Lord. My spirit delights in God my Savior!”

Salina
May 20, 2024 at 08:27 AM

Mary, did you know by Clay Aikon https://youtu.be/JPsgIhlYQmM?si=uli_t-usnxv_lHNU

May 20, 2024 at 07:36 AM

Our Blessed Mother Mary…please watch over my own mom, she loved you so much on earth and I’m sure is joyful to be with you now in heaven where her Alzheimer’s is no more✝️❤️

May 20, 2024 at 07:35 AM

Blessed Mother please intercede with your passion for my niece Alyssa who is waiting on results. Please let her be ok and if anything they can get it all. Thank you with love. AD

May 20, 2024 at 05:24 AM

Mary, our mother, I love you

May 20, 2024 at 04:44 AM

Mary, Mother of God. Our Mother...My Mother. Pray for us !

Statue of Our Lady of Grace, selective focus. Photo by masterjew |stock.adobe.com
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