Jesus gave Mary to John & To Us

The scene at the foot of the cross in John 19:26-27 represents one of the most profound, tender, and theologically loaded moments in the entire New Testament. 

As Jesus hangs in excruciating agony, having been crucified between two criminals, He directs His gaze toward two figures standing nearby: His mother, Mary, and the disciple whom He loved — traditionally identified as John the Evangelist. 

In this climactic "hour" of His glorification, Jesus speaks words that establish a new relational reality:

Koine Greek Text (Nestle-Aland 28th edition):

> Ἰησοῦς οὖν ἰδὼν τὴν μητέρα καὶ τὸν μαθητὴν παρεστῶτα ὃν ἠγάπα, λέγει τῇ μητρὶ· Γύναι, ἴδε ὁ υἱός σου. εἶτα λέγει τῷ μαθητῇ· Ἴδε ἡ μήτηρ σου. καὶ ἀπ’ ἐκείνης τῆς ὥρας ἔλαβεν αὐτὴν ὁ μαθητὴς εἰς τὰ ἴδια.

A precise translation: "Jesus therefore, seeing the mother and the disciple standing by whom He loved, says to the mother: 'Woman, behold your son.' Then He says to the disciple: 'Behold your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his own [things/home]."

This is no ordinary conversation. The imperative ἴδε (behold/see) functions as a performative utterance in Koine Greek — a solemn declaration that accomplishes what it commands, akin to divine creative speech in Genesis ("Let there be light"). Jesus does not merely describe a relationship; He constitutes one. The balanced parallelism — addressing Mary first, then John — underscores mutuality and completeness.

The address Γύναι ("Woman") is formal, respectful, and carries deep symbolic weight. Jesus uses it toward Mary only twice in John's Gospel: at the wedding at Cana (John 2:4) and here at the cross. This title deliberately evokes the "woman" of Genesis 3:15 (the protoevangelium: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers"). Early Christian interpreters understood Mary as the New Eve, whose fiat ("let it be") reverses the disobedience of the first Eve. Just as Eve became "mother of all the living" (Gen 3:20), Mary becomes the spiritual mother of all who live through Christ's redemption.

The final phrase, εἰς τὰ ἴδια ("into his own"), is rich in Johannine theology. The same expression appears in John 1:11 ("He came to his own, and his own did not receive him"). Here, John receives Mary "into his own," symbolizing the Church as the new household of faith where believers are incorporated into God's family.

 Jewish Cultural and Legal Context: Filial Responsibility, Widowhood, and the Redefinition of Family

In first-century Jewish culture, the Fifth Commandment — "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) — carried concrete obligations, especially for widows. Widows, along with orphans and strangers, were among the most vulnerable members of society (Deut 10:18; 24:17-21; 27:19). The prophets repeatedly condemned neglect of widows (Isa 1:17; Jer 22:3; Zech 7:10), and God is described as "a defender of widows" (Ps 68:5).

The eldest son bore primary responsibility for a widowed mother's support, including financial provision, housing, and protection. This duty was rooted in inheritance customs: sons (especially the firstborn, who received a double portion) inherited the family estate and its obligations. If a man died without sons, other mechanisms like levirate marriage (yibbum, Deut 25:5-10) provided for widows, ensuring they remained within the family structure.

Jesus' act of entrusting Mary to John — a non-biological relative — would have been highly unusual if Jesus had living adult brothers capable of fulfilling this role (as mentioned in Mark 6:3). The Gospel notes that Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him during His ministry (John 7:5), and they are absent from the crucifixion scene. Thus, Jesus fulfills His filial duty while transcending it: He provides for Mary while forming a new covenantal family.

Jewish family was not strictly biological. Covenant could create familial bonds (e.g., Ruth's declaration to Naomi: "Your people shall be my people," Ruth 1:16). Jesus Himself redefines family: "Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:35). At the cross — the inauguration of the new covenant — Jesus constitutes the Church as God's household, where spiritual bonds supersede blood ties.

This cultural backdrop elevates the scene: a dying firstborn Son fulfills Torah while inaugurating the eschatological family of faith.

 Early Church Fathers: From Practical Provision to Universal Spiritual Motherhood

The early Church did not interpret John 19:26-27 as a mere private arrangement for Mary's care. Instead, they saw it as Jesus giving Mary as mother to the entire Church, with the beloved disciple representing every believer.

- Origen (c. 185–254) emphasized that if Mary had other children, Jesus would not have entrusted her to John. He extended this to spiritual motherhood: the perfect disciple, in whom Christ lives, receives Mary as mother.

- St. Ephrem the Syrian (d. 373) and St. Ambrose (d. 397) viewed Mary as a type of the Church. Ambrose linked her to the New Eve, whose offspring (the Church) contend with the serpent.

- St. Jerome (d. 420), defending Mary's perpetual virginity in Against Helvidius, noted: "If they [the 'brethren'] had been Mary's sons... she would never have been given over... to the apostle John as his mother... 'Woman, behold your son'... 'Behold your mother'."

- In the Transitus Mariae traditions (4th–5th century apocryphal narratives of Mary's Assumption), Jesus entrusts Mary to John, and she remains the "holy mother of God" under his care.

- St. Augustine connected the scene to Revelation 12, where the woman clothed with the sun has "offspring" who keep God's commandments — believers under Mary's protection.

These interpretations were widespread in East and West. The Fathers saw Mary as sharing in redemption's birth pangs (cf. Rev 12), becoming the "mother of all the living" in Christ.

This patristic consensus influenced later theology and was reaffirmed in Vatican II's Lumen Gentium (1964), which dedicates Chapter VIII to Mary "in the Mystery of Christ and the Church." The document describes Mary as "our mother in the order of grace" (LG 61), rooted in John 19:26-27. On the day Lumen Gentium was promulgated, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Mary "Mother of the Church."

 Theological and Symbolic Layers: The Cross as the Birthplace of the Church

John's Gospel presents the crucifixion as Jesus' "hour" of glorification (John 12:23; 17:1). In this hour, He completes His mission by birthing the Church: blood and water flow from His pierced side (John 19:34), symbolizing Baptism and Eucharist; simultaneously, He gives Mary as mother.

The beloved disciple is anonymous to invite every reader to stand in his place. "Behold your mother" extends to all disciples. From "that hour," the bond is established irrevocably.

Mary's role at Cana (intercession) and the cross (co-suffering) shows her as model of faith. As New Eve, she participates in the new creation.

Scholars like Raymond E. Brown (in his Anchor Bible commentary) acknowledge multiple layers: practical care for a widow, but also symbolic ecclesial formation — the Church born from Christ's side receives its spiritual mother.

While some Protestant readings limit the scene to filial piety, the Johannine symbolism (woman, hour, beloved disciple) supports the Catholic understanding.

Refuting Common Protestant Objections to the Catholic Interpretation of John 19:26-27

While the Catholic understanding of John 19:26-27 — that Jesus entrusts Mary to John (and through him, to all believers) as spiritual mother of the Church — is deeply rooted in the Koine Greek text, Jewish cultural context, and early patristic witness, it has faced several objections from Protestant interpreters. These objections typically assert that the passage is solely about filial care for a widow, that any deeper meaning is eisegesis (reading into the text), and that the Catholic view lacks explicit biblical warrant. Below, we address the most common objections directly, showing how they fail under closer scrutiny of Scripture, language, and Tradition.

 Objection 1: "The Passage Is Only About Practical Care for Mary as a Widow — Nothing Symbolic or Spiritual"

Many Protestant sources (e.g., GotQuestions.org and various evangelical commentaries) argue that Jesus is simply fulfilling His duty to provide for His mother after His death, as a good Jewish son would. They point out that the text says John "took her into his own home" (or "into his care"), and the Bible never explicitly states "Mary became the mother of all believers." They conclude that any extension to spiritual motherhood is unfounded and out of context.

Refutation: While the literal level of filial piety is undoubtedly present (and beautiful), John's Gospel is profoundly symbolic — far more than the Synoptics — and this passage fits that pattern perfectly. The crucifixion is Jesus' "hour" of glorification (John 12:23; 17:1), the moment when He accomplishes redemption and forms the new covenant community. The performative imperatives "ἴδε" ("behold") are not casual observations but declarations that effect change, similar to God's creative speech.

The beloved disciple is never named in the Gospel; he is deliberately anonymous to invite every reader to stand in his place at the foot of the cross. This is a standard Johannine technique (e.g., the Samaritan woman in John 4 represents all seekers; the man born blind in John 9 represents spiritual enlightenment). John represents every beloved disciple — i.e., every Christian. Thus, when Jesus says to Mary, "Behold your son," and to John, "Behold your mother," He constitutes a new family bond that transcends biology, aligning with His earlier teaching: "Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:35).

Moreover, the phrase "εἰς τὰ ἴδια" ("into his own") echoes John 1:11 ("He came to his own [τὰ ἴδια], and his own did not receive him"). Here, John does receive her "into his own," symbolizing the Church's acceptance of Mary as part of its household. This is not mere practical care; it is ecclesial formation at the cross, the birthplace of the Church (with blood and water flowing from Christ's side in John 19:34, symbolizing sacraments).

The context does not limit the meaning to the physical. If it were only about widow care, why the solemn, parallel declarations and the use of "Woman" (linking to Genesis 3:15 and the New Eve typology)? Protestant scholars like Raymond E. Brown (a respected exegete, even in non-Catholic circles) acknowledge the passage's multiple layers: practical provision and symbolic ecclesial significance.

 Objection 2: "If Mary Were Spiritual Mother to All Believers, She Would Need to Be Entrusted to Everyone — Not Just John"

This objection (noted in critiques from groups like the Christian Research Institute) claims that the logic collapses: if Mary is mother to the whole Church, why entrust her only to John? It would require her to be cared for by all believers.

Refutation: This misreads the typology. John is not the exclusive recipient but the representative one. In Scripture, individuals often stand for larger groups: Abraham represents the faithful (Romans 4), David the kingly line, Peter the apostles. The beloved disciple, as the ideal follower who remains faithful to the end, typifies all disciples. When Jesus gives Mary to John, He gives her to the Church through him.

The Greek "εἰς τὰ ἴδια" indicates taking her "as his own" (purpose/end), not just physical care. As Frank Sheed explains, John takes her "as his own" in a way that all disciples do spiritually. The objection assumes a one-to-one literalism that ignores Johannine symbolism — a common Protestant tendency toward a "plain reading" that overlooks the Gospel's depth.

 Objection 3: "Scripture Elsewhere Downplays Mary's Role (e.g., Luke 11:27-28), and the Church's True Mother Is Jerusalem Above (Galatians 4:26)"

Some cite Luke 11:27-28 ("Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it") as Jesus redirecting praise from Mary's physical motherhood to spiritual obedience, suggesting He diminishes her unique role. Others point to Galatians 4:26 ("the Jerusalem above... is our mother") as proof that the Church has a different "mother."

Refutation: Luke 11:27-28 does not diminish Mary; it elevates true discipleship, which Mary exemplifies perfectly (Luke 1:38: "Let it be to me according to your word"). Mary is the first and greatest hearer/obeyer of God's word — her fiat makes her blessed among women (Luke 1:42). Jesus is not rejecting her but showing that spiritual kinship comes through obedience, which Mary embodies.

Galatians 4:26 refers to the heavenly Jerusalem (the new covenant community), not excluding Mary. Catholic theology sees Mary as the eschatological daughter of Zion and type of the Church (Lumen Gentium 63-65). The two "mothers" are complementary: Mary is the personal, historical mother who gives birth to the Head and members of the Body.

 Objection 4: "The Early Church Did Not Teach This; It's a Later Catholic Invention"

Protestants often claim the spiritual motherhood doctrine is absent from Scripture and early Fathers, emerging only in medieval or modern Catholicism.

Refutation: The interpretation is ancient. Origen (3rd century) saw the entrustment as tied to perpetual virginity and spiritual bonds. Ephrem the Syrian, Ambrose, Augustine, and Jerome all link Mary to the Church and believers as mother. Revelation 12:17 (the woman's offspring who keep God's commandments) was early interpreted as Mary's spiritual children. Vatican II's Lumen Gentium (1964) did not invent but formalized a patristic consensus.

Even early Reformers like Luther and Calvin honored Mary highly (Luther called her "Mother of God" and perpetual virgin). Modern caution often stems from anti-Catholic polemic rather than biblical exegesis.

These objections rely on a flattened, overly literal reading that ignores John's symbolic richness, the performative nature of the Greek, Jewish family redefinition at the cross, and consistent patristic witness. Far from eisegesis, the Catholic view flows naturally from the text: at Calvary, Jesus forms the new family of God, giving us His mother as our mother — a gift of consolation, intercession, and maternal love for every disciple.

 A Gift for All Generations: Receiving Mary as Mother Today

Jesus gave Mary to John — and, through John as representative of the Church, to every believer. This gift endures: Mary nurtures, intercedes, and accompanies us in suffering, leading us to her Son.

In an age of spiritual orphanhood, this maternal gift offers consolation. As the Church celebrates Mary, Mother of the Church (the Monday after Pentecost), we are reminded: at Calvary, the Savior gives us His mother — our mother — forever.

Sources  

- Holy Bible: Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece (28th ed.); New American Bible Revised Edition  

- Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel According to John XIII–XXI (Anchor Bible Commentary, 1970)  

- Vatican II, Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 1964), esp. Chapter VIII  

- Early Church Fathers: St. Jerome (Against Helvidius), St. Ambrose, St. Ephrem, Origen; collections from NewAdvent.org, StayCatholic.com, and CCEL  

- Patristic and theological compilations: "The Early Church Fathers on Mary, Mother of the Church"  

- Jewish cultural insights: Mi Yodeya discussions on filial duty and widow care; Jewish Theological Seminary resources on honoring parents  

- Additional exegesis: Catholic Answers, EWTN articles on Mary as Mother of the Church; Brant Pitre, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary (for typology)  

- Various scholarly discussions on John 19:26-27 from Christianity Stack Exchange and academic papers on Academia.edu

The Holy Name of Mary

The Holy Name of Mary: A Symbol of Hope and Devotion

The name of Mary holds a special place in the hearts of many around the world. It is a name that resonates with hope, devotion, and the profound role of Mary in Christian faith. Celebrated on September 12th, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary is a day to reflect on her virtues and the power of her name, which has been venerated over the centuries.

The name Mary, a classic and enduring name with roots in various languages and cultures, carries with it a wealth of history and meaning. Predominantly used in English-speaking countries, Mary is the anglicized version of Maria, which itself is derived from the Greek names Μαριάμ (Mariam) and Μαρία (Maria). These names can be traced back to the Hebrew name מִרְיָם (Miryam), which is borne by the sister of Moses in the Old Testament.

The exact meaning of Mary is subject to historical and linguistic interpretation. Some suggest it means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness," while others propose "wished for child." There's also a theory that it originates from the Egyptian word "mry," which means "beloved" or "love." This multifaceted name reflects a range of human experiences and emotions, from sorrow and desire to affection and tenderness.

We all know that Mary is not bitter.  However, we can see a correlation.  As a mother, she was bitter watching her Son suffer, being spat on, mocked and dying in a horrific and painful way.  Her humanity could not mask these process nor set it aside. However, she was not bitter in the sense that she had a grudge against God and man (those who put her Son through the Crucifixion process).  She said, "The almight has done great things for me and holy is His name."  

Mary has been a popular name in the Christian world, largely due to its association with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus in the New Testament. Her significance in Christianity has made the name Mary a symbolic representation of maternal kindness, virtue, and compassion. Over the centuries, Mary has been a top choice for parents, reflecting a reverence for religious tradition and an appreciation for the name's soft, melodic quality.

In the past, the name Mary was so revered that it was sometimes considered too holy for everyday use. However, its popularity soared, especially in the Western world, where it became a common name for girls. Historical figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Mary Shelley, the author of "Frankenstein," have borne the name, adding to its legacy of strength and creativity.

The name's versatility is also seen in its numerous variations and diminutives across different languages and cultures, such as Marie, Maria, Miriam, and others. Each variation carries its own cultural significance and variation in meaning, yet all relate back to the original form, Mary.

Today, the name Mary may not top the charts as it once did, but it remains a name rich in history, meaning, and personal significance for many families around the world. Whether chosen for its biblical roots, its international variations, or its timeless charm, the name Mary continues to be a name that resonates with grace and history.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is honored with various titles, each reflecting her importance and the respect she commands. The name 'Mary' itself is believed to mean "lady" or "sovereign," and this is fitting as she is often referred to as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her name is not just a label but a prayer, a call for grace, and a reminder of her merciful nature.

The significance of Mary's name is deeply rooted in biblical narratives and the experiences of saints. For instance, the late Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, who spent thirteen years in prison, found solace and hope in prayer, particularly through the intercession of Mary. His writings, "Prayers of Hope," highlight the strength he drew from his faith and the name of Mary during his years of solitude.

Moreover, the feast day itself has historical significance. It was established following a pivotal victory in 1683 when John Sobieski, the king of Poland, led his army to defeat invading forces after entrusting himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This event underscored the belief in Mary's intercessory power and her role as a protector.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is revered under many titles that reflect her role in Christianity and the devotion she inspires among the faithful. These titles often arise from her attributes, roles, and apparitions, each highlighting a different aspect of her significance in the Christian tradition.

One of the most profound titles is "Theotokos," which means "God-bearer" or "Mother of God," emphasizing her role as the mother of Jesus Christ, who is recognized in Christian doctrine as God incarnate. This title was officially affirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, establishing her central role in Christian theology.

Another title is "Immaculate Conception," which refers to the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin, a dogma defined by the Catholic Church. This title underscores her purity and the unique grace bestowed upon her by God.

"Queen of Heaven" is a title that signifies Mary's exalted position as the mother of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. It is often used in conjunction with "Regina Coeli," a title used in prayers and hymns, especially during the Easter season.

"Our Lady of Sorrows" is a title that reflects Mary's profound grief during the Passion and Crucifixion of her son, Jesus. It is a reminder of her deep participation in the mysteries of Christ's life and her compassion for humanity.

Additionally, Mary is known by titles associated with her apparitions around the world, such as "Our Lady of Lourdes" in France and "Our Lady of Fátima" in Portugal. These titles often bear witness to the miracles and messages attributed to these appearances, which have had a significant impact on the devotional practices of many Christians.  There is also the title of Our Lady of the Universe where she appeared in 1945 to Joseph Vitolo in the Grand Concourse section of the Bronx, in New York City (see: www.ourladyoftheuniverse.com).

Other titles include "Star of the Sea" (Stella Maris), which serves as a metaphor for her guidance and protection of those navigating the journey of faith, and "Mother of Mercy," which highlights her role as a compassionate intercessor for humanity.

The "Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary," also known as the "Litany of Loreto," contains many of these titles and more, each a prayerful invocation of Mary's virtues and a testament to her enduring presence in the spiritual lives of believers.

These titles of Mary are not just honorifics; they are expressions of love, respect, and theological reflection on the mystery of the Incarnation and the role of Mary as the mother of Jesus and a model of faith for Christians. They serve as a source of inspiration and a focal point for prayer and meditation, inviting the faithful to contemplate the depth of God's love manifested through Mary's life and mission. 

For a more comprehensive list of titles and their meanings, one can refer to the "Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary" or explore the rich tradition of Marian devotion that spans cultures and centuries.

The Holy Name of Mary is also a call to peace and justice. Mary is often honored as the "Queen of Peace," and her name encourages believers to work alongside Jesus to foster peace that respects the dignity and rights of all individuals.

In conclusion, the Holy Name of Mary is more than just a traditional observance. It is a testament to the enduring hope, comfort, and guidance that her name provides to believers. It is a reminder of the power of faith and the importance of turning to spiritual figures for support in times of need. As we celebrate the Holy Name of Mary, let us remember the values she embodies and strive to emulate her example in our lives.

March is Woman's Month: Mary the Greatest Woman!

Happy March, everyone! This month, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women from all walks of life. As a Catholic blogger, I want to dedicate this post to the greatest woman of all time: the Virgin Mary.

Mary is the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, and the spouse of the Holy Spirit. She is the perfect model of faith, obedience, humility, and love. She is also our mother, who intercedes for us and guides us to her Son.

In this post, I will share with you some of the reasons why I admire and love Mary so much, and why I think she deserves to be honored and praised by all Christians.

1. Mary said yes to God's plan. When the angel Gabriel announced to her that she would conceive and bear the Savior of the world, Mary did not hesitate or doubt. She trusted in God's will and gave her consent: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38) She was only a young girl, probably around 15 years old, but she had the courage and faith to accept such a great responsibility and privilege. This is what I call a strong woman! Mary was assertive in her yes! 

2. Mary carried Jesus in her womb for nine months. Imagine what it must have been like for Mary to have God Himself growing inside her. She must have felt His heartbeat, His movements, His presence. She must have talked to Him, sang to Him, prayed with Him. She must have loved Him more than anyone else in the world. She was the first person to see His face, hear Him, to hold Him in her arms, kiss Him, and cuddle Him. She was His first teacher, His first friend, His first disciple.

3. Mary followed Jesus throughout His life. Mary was not only present at Jesus' birth but also at every important moment of His life. She was there when He was presented in the temple when He was lost and found in Jerusalem, when He performed His first miracle at Cana, and when He preached and healed and taught. She was there when He was arrested, tortured, crucified, and buried. She was there when He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. She never left His side, even when it meant suffering with Him and for Him.

4. Mary became the mother of the Church. Before Jesus died on the cross, He gave Mary to John, His beloved disciple, as His mother: "Woman, behold your son." And to John, He said: "Behold your mother." (John 19:26-27) In doing so, He also gave Mary to all of us as our mother. Mary is not only the mother of Jesus but also the mother of all who believe in Him and follow Him. She cares for us as her children, she watches over us as our protector, and she leads us as our queen.

5. Mary is full of grace and glory. Mary is the most blessed among women and among all creatures. She is "full of grace" (Luke 1:28), meaning that she was conceived without original sin and preserved from any personal sin throughout her life. She is "the Immaculate Conception" (Pope Pius IX), meaning that she was always pure and holy in body and soul. She is "assumed into heaven" (Pope Pius XII), meaning that she was taken up body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. She is "crowned with glory" (Revelation 12:1), meaning that she reigns with Jesus as his co-redemptrix and mediatrix.

6. She continues to help us all.  She told the servants at the Wedding of Cana to "do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5). These were her last recorded words in the Gospel, New Testament, and Bible as a whole. To this day she appears to us around the world under many titles.  She was Jesus' best disciple which is why He sends her around the world and in different periods of time to appear to specific people to convey a reminder of the Gospel of Love. 

7. Mary has helped me immensely in my life. I attribute many miracles to her, physical healings, healing of my hearing, vision, and oncology tests, in my schooling and education.  She has always been there for her and I try my best to be there for her and her Son Jesus the Lord.  Mary is just awesome!

These are just some of the reasons why I love Mary and why I think she is the greatest woman ever. She is my mother, my sister, my friend, my queen. She is my inspiration, my hope, my joy.

I invite you to join me in honoring Mary this month by praying the rosary daily, wearing a scapular or a miraculous medal, reading a book about her life or devotion to her, visiting a shrine or a church dedicated to her, or simply talking to her as you would talk to your own mother.

Let us thank God for giving us such a wonderful gift: Mary, the Virgin Mother of God. Ave Maria!

What do you think? Post your comments below on Disqus. Be sure to follow the rules so your comment can be posted.

The Assumption of Mary

Today August 15 we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to heaven.  We remember how our Lady was taken to heaven by our Lord.

Her body did not face decay.  Mary did not resurrect, nor did she rise to heaven on her own power.  God took her body and soul to eternity in heaven.  She sits at the right hand of Jesus interceding for all of us.

This is important to clarify because our separated brethren are sometimes under the impression that Catholics view Mary as some goddess.  She is not a goddess.  She is the "handmaid of the Lord," a mere creature of God just like we are.  She was preserved by God from sin and the death all humans have experienced since Adam and Eve.  

This feast day is one of the oldest in Christianity.  It originates from about the 5/6th century and was celebrated in the East as "The Dormition" or the sleep of Mary.  The earliest text we have of this comes from the 4th century in the "Falling asleep of the Holy Mother of God" and account by St. John.  (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0832.htm)

Many ask if Mary died just like any other human.  Some say she just fell asleep, while others say she did die.  It is most likely that the former is more probable because Scripture says in Romans 6:23 that the "wages of sin is death."  Since Mary was conceived without sin, she could not owe these wages that would result in death.  Moreover, Acts 13:35 and Psalms 16:10 state that God won't allow His holy ones to rot in the grave.  In light of this, we can know that Mary did not decay.  She being sinless was preserved from death and decay.

The idea of someone being taken to heaven body and soul by God is not new.  Enoch in Genesis 5:22-29 was taken by God.  We also read about Elijah experiencing the same in 2 Kings 2:11.

The Assumption of Mary became a defined dogma on November 1, 1950, when Pope Pius XII declared it in his encyclical Munificentissimus Deus.  This is a great day for all of us.  It is a reminder of what God has planned for those who hang in there in the Faith.

This is a holy day of obligation where Catholics must go to Mass and treat the day as if it were a Sunday.  In some dioceses, the day is not obligatory if it falls on a Monday or Saturday.  It is important to check with your parish or diocese beforehand.  If this is the case, one can still participate in the Mass or do some other form of penance or good work.  More prayer and more faith work aren't bad at all.  

Mary is one of us.  She is human.  She made it!   She is an inspiration to us all.  May Our Blessed Lady pray for us and help us follow her Son more closely.

Father in heaven,

all creation rightly gives you praise,

for all life and all holiness come from you.

In the plan of your wisdom

she who bore the Christ in her womb

was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.

May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness

and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen. (http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1160)   

Reflection on today's readings:

Today's readings pretty much reflect on today's solemnity.  It is rare for this solemnity to fall on a Sunday. The last time this happened was in 2010. The first reading from Revelation is apocalyptic literature or a literary genre that uses images and symbols. We should not take them literally. The great sign of a woman dressed with the sun, crowned with stars, and standing over the moon is a representation of the Virgin Mary and the Catholic Church.  The red dragon is a representation of Lucifer and the Pagan Roman Empire.  The only pregnant woman that Christians focused on was Mary, so we know this woman represents her.  The Church is also represented as a female or mother, so we know this female image represents the Catholic Church too.  Since the beginning, in the book of Genesis, we know of the tension between Mary and the serpent. Here we see it in this reading. Mary vs the dragon or reptilian creature. As stated, the woman is also the Church at the time of emperors Diocletian and Nero who were persecuting the Catholic Church.  Mary has appeared dressed in this form. 

Sacerdotus: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico and Our Lady of the Universe in the Bronx are great examples.  Mary wears the sun, has a crown of stars, and stands on the moon. These represent that she is above creation and pagan deities often represented by natural things in the universe. However, one is above her and that is God. Mary is not a god or goddess. We must make this clear.  The dragon with seven heads represents pagan Rome. Rome has seven famous hills.  The 10 horns represent the provinces of the Roman government. Horns are a sign of power. Think of a bull with its powerful horns. The seven diadems are the famous diadems we see Romans depicted with behind their ears. So basically, here we see the woman and the dragon going after her child and then the rest of her children.

www.ourladyoftheuniverse.com

This is Mary with Jesus and also the Church with all of us in the first century and now. The chapter of course reflects more on the situation in the first century when the emperors were persecuting the Christians.  Clearly, the force behind Rome was the devil. We know this because of the imagery of the tail carrying off a third of the stars. This is Lucifer as he took with him a third of the angels. They were cast to the earth.  These angels are the demons who were once angels like Lucifer but were too arrogant to serve God. They are on earth prowling about looking for souls. These are the demons who possess people and cause havoc around the world. So the first reading reminds us of what our ancestors faced and also reminds us that Mary is an important figure. 

She is the queen as the Psalm tells us: "The queen stands at your right hand arrayed in gold."  Mary is indeed the queen. In Jewish tradition, the King of Israel also had his mother as queen. Jesus being a descendent of King David followed the same tradition. Mary is the queen. She sits at His right hand interceding for us.  She takes her place at Christ's right hand.  Only Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus is the one mediator between God and man, but Mary is the most important mediator between Christ and man. 

The second reading reminds us of the Assumption. When someone dies we say "Rest in peace." This is because we believe the dead are asleep.  Even though their bodies rot away, they are resting awaiting the coming of Christ when they will come back to life and be judged.  Everyone has to die.  Even Jesus died.  If Jesus died, then Mary had to die too. Scripture tells us that the wages of sin is death; so why did Jesus and Mary die if both were sinless?  Well, they were human. Jesus was true God and true man so He had to experience everything a human does except sin.  Mary was totally human, but sinless, so she experienced everything humans experience except sin. However, Mary is not God.  She cannot resurrect herself. She cannot prevent death.  Therefore, it is believed based on  tradition that Mary simply went to sleep. She literally rested in peace and did not die in the sense we all die from natural causes. It is believed that she was in her 70s when this happened. Christ then took her body and soul to heaven because Mary cannot resurrect herself or ascend to heaven of her own volition. She is a creature of God subject to Him. Scripture tells us that the holy will not know decay, so it makes sense for Jesus to take Mary's body. She was holy and sinless from conception to death, so she could not rot or decay. She is the image of what we all will experience if we become saints. Christ is above death and preserved his own mother by taking her body and soul to heaven to be the queen of the Universe and heaven. 

The Gospel reminds us how important Mary is that the baby in Elizabeth's womb lept for joy.  Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit utters the words of the Hail Mary acknowledging Mary to be blessed in death.  Mary responds with her Magnificat reminding us all that all generations will call her blessed.  Protestants who dislike Mary truly do not value Scripture if they ignore this Gospel. If the Holy Spirit brought Elizabeth and Mary to proclaim these words, then why can we not proclaim them?  Do we know better than the Holy Spirit?  Mary is a very important figure in Christianity. This is why we offer her hyperdulia or a special high veneration. She is our model of what Christ wants us to be.  We do not worship her, but honor her because Christ honored her as His mom, and the entire Trinity honored her as their prized creation. She is the one that is "full of grace" and the "favored one of God," as the archangel Gabriel told us in the Gospel of Luke.  Let us foster devotion to Our Lady. She is very important. She points us to Christ.  Her last recorded words were, "Do whatever He (Christ) tells you."  What awesome words!  

Readings:  Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | USCCB

Mary, Mother of God: The Greatest Human Woman Ever

Today is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or Theotokos. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God.  This does not mean that God came into existence because of her.  God has always existed.  Mary is a creature of God.  She is the “handmade” of the Lord as she called herself.
Mary is called the Mother of God because her Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah is God the Son.   Since Jesus is God, then the one who gave Him flesh is called the Mother of God.

What an awesome thought.  A human female is the Mother of the Word Incarnate.  She is the Mother of God!   Since the early days of the Catholic Church, devotion to Mary has existed.  The “Sub Tuum Praesidium” is one of the earliest prayers to Mary.

This is a day of Holy Obligation in which all Catholics must treat it as a Sunday and attend Mass.   Let us take this day to recollect on Mary and her role in Salvation.   Mary was always open to life.  She said Yes to God’s will that she be the vessel in which God the Son would take on a human form.

She is a model for all women, especially those who push the disturbing idea that pregnancy and bearing children violates a woman’s bodily autonomy or dignity.  This tokophobia must be replaced with the Yes to life from the Theotokos.

Protestants have an issue with this title because they feel Catholics are giving causation to God, or that by calling Mary the "Mother of God," Catholics are making Mary the God of God.  This is just not true.  The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is biblical. In Luke 1:43 Elizabeth calls Mary the "Mother of her Lord."

The first reading gives us the blessing often used at Mass and which was a favorite of St. Francis of Assisi. In it, we read about the Lord letting His face shine upon the person being blessed. Mary as Mother of God got to see God face to face. She held Christ in her hands, fed Him, and did all the things a mother does in order to care for a child. The responsorial Psalm repeats the phrase calling to mind God's mercy. God so loved the world that He became a small baby boy. If that does not say mercy, I do not know what does. He did not come down as a warrior with a sword or machine gun. Jesus came as a defenseless poor baby boy.  All of this was planned beforehand.  The second reading reminds us of this.  God sent His son born of a woman, born under the law of man.  He did this so that we could be adopted as sons and daughters. By Christ becoming man, He became a son of Adam and Eve making Him our brother in human flesh. This is just awesome to think about! 

The Gospel tells us of this baby boy lying in a manger.  We are told that Mary kept all of the events that occurred in her heart. I would personally love to know these things. I bet they are memories with lots of emotions.  Mary was a true mother. She did all a mom does. Today's Gospel shows the humanity of Mary and Jesus as Mother and Child.  Mary is also our mother and our link to Christ Jesus (Revelation 12:17).  Mary is the greatest human woman ever.  Now more than ever as this alleged pandemic spills into the new year 2021, we need a great mother to protect us.  We call upon her via many titles, but she is one mother.  I invite you to learn about the apparitions of Our Lady of the Universe in the Bronx.  Visit www.OurLadyoftheUniverse.com.  Mary is our model. She points to Christ.  Her last recorded words were, "Do whatever He tells you (John 2:5)."  Let us take this advice to heart. 

May Our Lady pray for us and show us the way to Christ her Son.  Mary Mother of God, Pray for us!

We take refuge under thy protection, holy Mother of God:

Do not despise our prayers
in time of necessity:
but always free us
from all dangers,
O blessed and glorious Virgin.

Here are some reflections from holy writers:

The shepherds did not keep silent about the hidden mysteries that they had come to know by divine influence. They told whomever they could. Spiritual shepherds in the church are appointed especially for this, that they may proclaim the mysteries of the Word of God and that they may show to their listeners that the marvels which they have learned in the Scriptures are to be marveled at.

— St. Bede
(672 - 735)

Source: “Homilies on the Gospel, 1.7,” quoted in Arthur A. Just, ed., Luke, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 42.

In the festivity of Christmas we read of the pastors of Bethlehem who were the first to be called to the crib, to see the new-born Child: “And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Lk 2:16.) Let us stop at that “found”. This word indicates a search.
 Man is a being who seeks. His whole history confirms it. Even the life of each of us bears witness to it. Many are the fields in which man seeks and seeks again and then finds and, sometimes, after having found, he begins to seek again. Among all these fields in which man is revealed as a being who seeks, there is one, the deepest. It is the one which penetrates most intimately into the very humanity of the human being. And it is the one most closely united with the meaning of the whole of human life…
 Man is the being who seeks God. And even after having found him, he continues to seek him. And if he seeks him sincerely, he has already found him; as, in a famous fragment of Pascal, Jesus says to man: “Take comfort, you would not be looking for me if you had not already found me.”

— St. John Paul II
(1920 - 2005)

Source: John Paul II, Audience on December 27, 1978

Spiritual circumcision takes place chiefly in holy baptism, when Christ makes us partakers of the Holy Spirit too. Of this Joshua, that Jesus of old, who became the leader of the Israelites after Moses, was also a type. He led the children of Israel across the Jordan, then made them stop and immediately circumcised them with knives of stone. So when we have crossed the Jordan, Christ circumcises us with the power of the Holy Spirit, not by purifying the flesh but rather by cutting off the defilement that is in our souls. On the eighth day, therefore, Christ was circumcised and received his name.



— St. Cyril of Alexandria
(375 - 444)

Source: “Commentary on Luke, Homily 3,” quoted in Arthur A. Just, ed., Luke, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 45.


Readings:

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God | USCCB

Mary, Mother of God: A True Mother

Today is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God or Theotokos.  The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God.  This does not mean that God came into existence because of her.  God has always existed.  Mary is a creature of God.  She is the “handmade” of the Lord as she called herself.

Mary is called the Mother of God because her Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah is God the Son.   Since Jesus is God, then the one who gave Him flesh is called Mother of God.

What an awesome thought.  A human female is the Mother of the Word Incarnate.  She is the Mother of God!   Since the early days of the Catholic Church, devotion to Mary has existed.  The “Sub Tuum Praesidium” is one of the earliest prayers to Mary.

This is a day of Holy Obligation in which all Catholics must treat it as a Sunday and attend Mass.   Let us take this day to recollect on Mary and her role in Salvation.   Mary was always open to life.  She said Yes to God’s will that she be the vessel in which God the Son would take on a human form.

She is a model for all women, especially those who push the disturbing idea that pregnancy and bearing children violates a woman’s bodily autonomy or dignity.  This tokophobia must be replaced with the Yes to life from the Theotokos.

Protestants have issue with this title because they feel Catholics are giving causation to God, or that by calling Mary the "Mother of God," Catholics are making Mary the God of God.  This is just not true.  The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is biblical. In Luke 1:43 Elizabeth calls Mary the "Mother of her Lord."

The first reading gives us the blessing often used at Mass and which was a favorite of St. Francis of Assisi. In it, we read about the Lord letting His face shine upon the person being blessed. Mary as Mother of God got to see God face to face. She held Christ in her hands, fed Him and did all the things a mother does in order to care for a child. The responsorial Psalm repeats the phrase calling to mind God's mercy. God so loved the world that He became a small baby boy. If that does not say mercy, I do not know what does. He did not come down as a warrior with a sword or machine gun. Jesus came as a defenseless poor baby boy.  All of this was planned beforehand.  The second reading reminds us of this.  God sent His son born of a woman, born under the law of man.  He did this so that we could be adopted as sons and daughters. By Christ becoming man, He became a son of Adam and Eve making Him our brother in human flesh. This is jus awesome to think about!

The Gospel tells us of this baby boy lying in a manger.  We are told that Mary kept all of the events that occurred in her heart. I would personally love to know these things. I bet they are memories with lots of emotions.  Mary was a true mother. She did all a mom does. Today's Gospel shows the humanity of Mary and Jesus as Mother and Child.  Mary is also our mother and our link to Christ Jesus (Revelation 12:17). Her last recorded words were, "Do whatever He tells you (John 2:5)."  Let us take this advice to heart.

May Our Lady pray for us and show us the way to Christ her Son.  Mary Mother of God, Pray for us!

We take refuge under thy protection,holy Mother of God:

Do not despise our prayers
in time of necessity:
but always free us
from all dangers,
O blessed and glorious Virgin.

Here are some reflections from holy writers:

The shepherds did not keep silent about the hidden mysteries that they had come to know by divine influence. They told whomever they could. Spiritual shepherds in the church are appointed especially for this, that they may proclaim the mysteries of the Word of God and that they may show to their listeners that the marvels which they have learned in the Scriptures are to be marveled at.

— St. Bede
(672 - 735)

Source: “Homilies on the Gospel, 1.7,” quoted in Arthur A. Just, ed., Luke, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 42.

In the festivity of Christmas we read of the pastors of Bethlehem who were the first to be called to the crib, to see the new-born Child: “And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Lk 2:16.) Let us stop at that “found”. This word indicates a search.
 Man is a being who seeks. His whole history confirms it. Even the life of each of us bears witness to it. Many are the fields in which man seeks and seeks again and then finds and, sometimes, after having found, he begins to seek again. Among all these fields in which man is revealed as a being who seeks, there is one, the deepest. It is the one which penetrates most intimately into the very humanity of the human being. And it is the one most closely united with the meaning of the whole of human life…
 Man is the being who seeks God. And even after having found him, he continues to seek him. And if he seeks him sincerely, he has already found him; as, in a famous fragment of Pascal, Jesus says to man: “Take comfort, you would not be looking for me if you had not already found me.”

— St. John Paul II
(1920 - 2005)

Source: John Paul II, Audience on December 27, 1978

Spiritual circumcision takes place chiefly in holy baptism, when Christ makes us partakers of the Holy Spirit too. Of this Joshua, that Jesus of old, who became the leader of the Israelites after Moses, was also a type. He led the children of Israel across the Jordan, then made them stop and immediately circumcised them with knives of stone. So when we have crossed the Jordan, Christ circumcises us with the power of the Holy Spirit, not by purifying the flesh but rather by cutting off the defilement that is in our souls. On the eighth day, therefore, Christ was circumcised and received his name.



— St. Cyril of Alexandria
(375 - 444)

Source: “Commentary on Luke, Homily 3,” quoted in Arthur A. Just, ed., Luke, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 45.


Readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010117.cfm

Satan Hates Mary

The Blessed Virgin Mary is an important figure in Catholicism and Christianity in general. Unfortunately, her importance may come across as worship to our separated friends in the Protestant fundamentalist faith. They often see our devotions and attention to Mary as blasphemous or as an attempt to equate Mary with Jesus as some co-savior.

We know this is not so. Mary cooperated with God in His salvific mission.  However, we must wonder why there is so much hate for Mary.  The vitriol against Mary by Pentecostals, Evangelicals, and others can be offensive and troubling. How can these people who claim to follow Christ have so much hate for His Mother?

Well, the hate is definitely based on ignorance. However, hate for Mary is also demonic. Satan hates the Virgin Mary with passion. In Genesis 3:15 God tells the serpent, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Here God is speaking of Eve and Mary.  How do we know this?  Well for one, Eve was the one present and was the one who listened to the serpent's lies. Moreover, we know Mary is referred to here as well because of what God says will happen in the future tense (Lumen Gentium 55).  He says that the woman's offspring will strike or crush the head of the serpent. Some Bibles have a feminine pronoun written instead, but this is due to possibly an error in the pre-Vulgate Latin versions of the Sacred Scriptures or a confusion on what pronoun to use because some Hebrew texts do have a feminine pronoun.  However, this is beside the point because the text in Genesis still emphasizes the important role of Mary.

This statement in Genesis 3:15 would not make sense if it referred to a mere descendant of Eve. If Adam and Eve fell for the serpent's lies, then what makes us think their descendants will do the opposite?  This offspring mentioned has to be human, but also strong enough to resist the serpent. Of course, we are referring to Jesus Christ who is Son of Man (Adamah/Adam) and Son of God (Luke 1:35, Luke 19:10). Jesus was truly human and truly divine. Because of this, He resisted the serpent when he came with his lies in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11).  While being human, Jesus never sinned, unlike Adam and Eve (2 Corinthians 5:21).  So clearly we see that this offspring mentioned to the serpent with Adam and Eve present was referring to Jesus.

As we know, Jesus did not fall from the sky nor did He materialize into space, time and matter spontaneously.  Rather, Jesus was born unto us via a woman named Mary (Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:26-28). God could have done it any other way, but He did it this way in keeping with the statement made in Genesis 3:15. This is why Mary is so important to Christianity and why we Catholics put her on a pedestal as our Queen.  Mary herself foretold of the devotion that will be given to her for generations (Luke 1:48).  Mary saying 'yes' to God and giving birth to the Christ child was indeed a big strike to the head of the serpent.  This "enmity" materialized on the moment the archangel Gabriel told Mary of God's plans for her to carry His Son and her acceptance of that plan.

It is no wonder why Satan hates Mary.  She is not only human but also the Immaculate Conception who said yes to God.  As we know, Satan hates humanity (Wisdom 2:24).  If he hates humanity so much and is envious of us, then how much more would he hate the human who brought Christ to the world. This human happens to be a female. This is the woman the serpent is going to have enmity with.  The serpent hated Mary so much that he waited to attack her and devour her child (Revelation 12:4-5; 13-17). Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI writes:

After the original sin, God addresses the serpent, which represents Satan, curses it and adds a promise: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel" (Gn 3: 15). It is the announcement of revenge: at the dawn of the Creation, Satan seems to have the upper hand, but the son of a woman is to crush his head. Thus, through the descendence of a woman, God himself will triumph. Goodness will triumph. That woman is the Virgin Mary of whom was born Jesus Christ who, with his sacrifice, defeated the ancient tempter once and for all. This is why in so many paintings and statues of the Virgin Immaculate she is portrayed in the act of crushing a serpent with her foot. (http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/angelus/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20091208.html)

Satan hates Mary because of her devotion and her 'yes' to God.  Mary to Satan is a "cosmic party pooper" who ruined his fun in regards to deceiving humanity while watching us behave like non-human animals instead of the children of God which is what we are (Galatians 3:26).  However, he has no power over her and cannot defeat her.  He has no power over us who remain under her mantle despite waging war against us (Revelation 12:17).  Mary is indeed an important figure in Christianity. She was mentioned before she even existed and is mentioned again in the last book of the New Testament as this powerful Queen who wears the sun as clothing, stars as a crown and stands on the moon (Revelation 12:1).  Anyone who hates Mary is aligning him or herself with the offspring of the serpent.  We must love Mary, not hate her if we are to call ourselves Christian.  She is important to our faith.  Mary is not a goddess or a co-savior. The Catholic Church has never taught this and never will. However, we must acknowledge Mary's important role in our redemption and salvation. In the Church, we call this 'hyperdulia' which is a special veneration given to Our Lady, Our Queen, and Our Mother.  Mary is indeed 'blessed among women' and the Lord's favorite who is full of His grace (Luke 1:42, Luke 1:28).

Those who are with Christ must love Mary. We must cherish her and have devotion to her. As St. Maximilian Kolbe said, "Whoever does not wish to have Mary Immaculate as his Mother will not have Christ as his Brother."

Only Satan hates Mary and anything that has to do with her.  She and her Son have crushed his proud head.

AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.



   

Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today we celebrate the feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day was celebrated since about the 5th century in honor of Our Lady. The account of the birth of Our Lady is found in the Protoevangelium of James, a apocryphal Gospel written about 150 AD. The feast day falls exactly 9 months after the Immaculate Conception.  

Our Lady's birth is very important to the Christian faith.  Without Mary, Jesus would not have had the vessel from which to enter the world as the Incarnate Son of God.  

Let us take this day to reflect on Mary's birth and to thank her for saying Yes to God's will that a child be born to her who would save the world.  

Happy Birthday Blessed Mother!  

The Assumption of Mary

Today August 15 we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to heaven.  We remember how our Lady was taken to heaven by our Lord.

Her body did not face decay.  Mary did not resurrect, nor did she rise to heaven on her own power.  God took her body and soul to eternity in heaven.  She sits at the right hand of Jesus interceding for all of us.

This is important to clarify because our separated brethren are sometimes under the impression that Catholics view Mary as some goddess.  She is not a goddess.  She is the "handmaid of the Lord," a mere creature of God just like we are.  She was preserved by God from sin and the death all humans have experienced since Adam and Eve.  

This feast day is one of the oldest in Christianity.  It originates from about the 5/6th century and was celebrated in the East as "The Dormition" or the sleep of Mary.  The earliest text we have of this comes from the 4th century in the "Falling asleep of the Holy Mother of God" and account by St. John.  (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0832.htm)

Many ask if Mary died just like any other human.  Some say she just fell asleep, while others say she did die.  It is most likely that the former is more probable because Scripture says in Romans 6:23 that the "wages of sin is death."  Since Mary was conceived without sin, she could not owe these wages that would result in death.  Moreover, Acts 13:35 and Psalms 16:10 state that God won't allow His holy ones to rot in the grave.  In light of this, we can know that Mary did not decay.  She being sinless was preserved from death and decay.

The idea of someone being taken to heaven body and soul by God is not new.  Enoch in Genesis 5:22-29 was taken by God.  We also read about Elijah experiencing the same in 2 Kings 2:11.

The Assumption of Mary became a defined dogma on November 1, 1950 when Pope Pius XII declared it in his encyclical Munificentissimus Deus.  This is a great day for all of us.  It is a reminder of what God has planned for those who hang in there in the Faith.

This is a holy day of obligation where Catholics must go to Mass and treat the day as if it were a Sunday.  In some dioceses, the day is not obligatory if it falls on a Monday or Saturday.  It is important to check with your parish or diocese beforehand.  If this is the case, one can still participate in the Mass or do some other form of penance or good work.  More prayer and more faith work isn't bad at all.  

Mary is one of us.  She is human.  She made it!   She is an inspiration to us all.  May Our Blessed Lady pray for us and help us follow her Son more closely.

Father in heaven,

all creation rightly gives you praise,

for all life and all holiness come from you.

In the plan of your wisdom

she who bore the Christ in her womb

was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.

May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness

and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen. (http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1160)   

Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's day.  I wish everyone a blessed day.  May our Lord bless all mothers, living and deceased, and of course grandmothers.

In a world threatened by social constructs that wish to destroy the family, we need to celebrate this day and remind ourselves that we must defend the natural family.

The mother is the most important person in society.  She brings forth the gift of life, nurtures the life and prepares the life for a world that is tough to live in.

It is no wonder why God tells us to honor our parents.  Yes, they can be a nag sometimes, but who else can we really trust other than a mother?  A mother has wisdom and love.  She knows us even when we think she has no clue.  A mother has a strong bond with her child(ren).

She will go at all lengths to protect her child(ren). There is a story my beloved friend and pastor who is with God and Our Lady now in heaven used to share during his homily.

There was a mother and child in town.  The classmates and friends of the child would tease him because his mother was not attractive.  She was burnt, disfigured and a sight children will stare at.  He being a youth wanted to fit in.  He wanted to be "cool."  That being said, he was embarrassed of having a mother who others saw as unattractive due to her injuries.  So one day out of frustration he yelled at his mom, 'why do you have to be so ugly!  they tease me at school, they bully me.. I hate you...'   The mother with teary eyes looked at him and said, 'my boy, I love you and what you say hurts me.  Do you know why I am like this?  I am like this because when you were a baby we had a fire and I passed through debris and fire to rescue you and take you out because I love you and can't bear the thought of losing you."  

May God bless all mothers and grandmothers.  Thank you mom and my grandmothers for always being there for me.  Thank you mom for being my everything.  Thank you Blessed Mother as well for saying YES to God.  Because of you, we have redemption!   

I thank both my physical and spiritual mothers.  

Mary - Mother of God. Jan 1

Today is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God or Theotokos.  The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God.  This does not mean that God came into existence because of her.  God has always existed.  Mary is a creature of God.  She is the "handmade" of the Lord as she called herself.

Mary is called the Mother of God because her Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah is God the Son.   Since Jesus is God, then the one who gave Him flesh is called Mother of God.

What an awesome thought.  A human female is the Mother of the Word Incarnate.  She is the Mother of God!   Since the early days of the Catholic Church, devotion to Mary has existed.  The "Sub Tuum Praesidium" is one of the earliest prayers to Mary.

This is a day of Holy Obligation in which all Catholics must treat it as a Sunday and attend Mass.   Let us take this day to recollect on Mary and her role in Salvation.   Mary was always open to life.  She said Yes to God's will that she be the vessel in which God the Son would take on a human form.

She is a model for all women, especially those who push the disturbing idea that pregnancy and bearing children violates a woman's bodily autonomy or dignity.  This tokophobia must be replaced with the Yes to life from the Theotokos.

May Our Lady pray for us and show us the way to Christ her Son.  Mary Mother of God, Pray for us!

We take refuge under thy protection,holy Mother of God:

Do not despise our prayers

in time of necessity:

but always free us

from all dangers,

O blessed and glorious Virgin.