Devotion to Mary is one of the stumbling blocks for fellow Christians who do not share our Catholic faith. It’s difficult for them to understand why Mary is important, or why we ask her intercession, or wish to imitate her.
Already in the Old Testament there are types of Mary, Eve being one of them. So we call Mary the New Eve—just as Jesus is the New Adam. If Eve became the mother of all the living, how much more should the mother of the Savior of the world be the mother of all peoples.
The Gospel for today is the entrustment of Mary to John. Each one of us is called like him: to live with Mary and allow her to be our mother. For she is our mother, and she is praying for us now and at the hour of our death.
The Living Faith team offers this wisdom from the Catechism of the Catholic Church as it relates to Mary, her motherhood toward us, and her intercession for us, as well as the intercession of the saints. These excerpts (numbered paragraphs) come from this highly-recommend, searchable Catechism found here: https://www.scborromeo2.org/catechism-of-the-catholic-church || On Mary’s spiritual motherhood toward us: 501 Jesus is Mary's only son, but her spiritual motherhood extends to all men whom indeed he came to save: "The Son whom she brought forth is he whom God placed as the first-born among many brethren, that is, the faithful in whose generation...
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Amen, thank you for the clarification…very helpful!!
*** What does Jesus mean in John 16:25a, “Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name?” *** Only the Name of Jesus (and no other names) is synonymous with God Himself that I ask (pray) in John 16:25-26, “I (Jesus) have not been speaking to you plainly. But a time is coming when I will speak clearly. Then I will tell you plainly about My Father. When that day comes, you will ask for things in My Name (Jesus). I am not saying I will ask the Father instead of you asking Him!” *** Praying to one...
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Amen.
Amen.
Mary mother of us all pray for us that we may be made worthy of Christ Amen Amen Amen
No matter one’s opinion on Mary, all Christians that I’ve ever known acknowledge Mary and her place in Jesus’ life and in God’s story as a whole. The argument I think over her is a relationship one. What is our relationship with her and how do we integrate her story with our own? God alone, with the Holy Trinity recognized as The Father/Son/Holy Spirit, is worshipped. Mary, like Ruth or Eve, or Elizabeth, or Judas even, is a character in God’s world just as we also are a character. They all have something to teach us, they all being different...
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*** Stumbling block in Luke 18:1-2, “Now He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to one through whom they come! It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea, than that he may cause one of these little ones to sin (Idolatry!)” *** Only One Intercessor in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus!” *** We are called to be like Jesus in 1 Peter 2:21, “For to this...
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I love talking to this guy at work or on the phone everyday because he is smart, kind, gentle, knowledgeable, intelligent and good. But we’re NOT having an affair, we are just friends and we just love to talk to each other everyday!!! No idolatry here…my husband shouldn’t be jealous if he is as smart, kind, gentle, knowledgeable, intelligent and good as my friend is :-)
better not bitter :-)
Excellent question, “Why can’t I ask deceased Mary or saints in heaven to pray for me if I can ask my family and friends on earth to pray for me?” *** Yes, with the earthly saints (you and I) Ephesians 6:18, “With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints!” *** Not with deceased Mary or saints in heaven crossing the metaphysical boundary that only God can do in Isaiah 8:19, “There are people who get messages from those who...
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Fr. Edward thank you those words. Mary has always been very special to me in my life. I feel close to her in many ways. I could use some extra prayers right now for guidance. I have some life altering decisions to make and feel very abandoned by my family mostly my husband and my son. Yes we all need to pray for the cure and stopping of cancer. So much research and it still seems to be taking over the world these days. I lost my mother to it when I was 13. Please God help us to battle...
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Extra prayers for guidance and support. May you be lead in the right path, may you have peace it that walk, may those around you accept and kindly aid you no matter their difference of opinion.
Peace be with you. Amen!
Mary....Mother of God. Our Mother....My Mother. Pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Amen.
How odd. After Acts, Mary is never mentioned again. Galatians 4:26 claims "However, the Jerusalem that is above is the free woman, and she is our mother." John took care of Mary. However, Mary is never mentioned as our mother.
Without the Mother Mary, the birth and death of Jesus never happens. I am thankful for the wisdom of this devotion. I never thought of Mary being the second Eve. This makes sense, because Mary was afraid, she did not want to take Joseph to be with her, she was a virgin and then gave birth to Jesus who promises all to be saved from sin. She is full of courage to be there at the time of her child’s death, so today on this Memorial Day in the United States it is important to remember Mother Mary is with...
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Beautiful commemoration, Scott. Thank you and Remember oh most gracious Virgin Mary.
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Amen, thank you for clarification…very helpful!!