Jul 23 – Memorial for St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious
Coming from a noble yet religious background, St. Bridget (1302-1373) was friend and counsellor to many priests and theologians of her day. As chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur, she counselled and guided the Queen and King Magnus II. She was harassed by others at the court for pursuing a religious life.
She eventually renounced her title of princess and became the foundress of the Order of the Most Holy Savior (Bridgettines), chastening and counselling kings and Popes Clement VI, Urban VI, and Gregory XI. St. Bridget encouraged all who would listen to meditate on the Passion, and of Jesus Crucified.
- Patron Saint Index
Mic 7:14-15,18-20
Mt 12:46-50
“Anyone who does the will of My father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.“
Let us begin by addressing the ‘elephant in the room’. For non-Catholic Christians, Matthew’s gospel passage is the gold standard to prove that Jesus regarded his mother as someone unimportant. In fact, Jesus’ words seemed quite harsh — like a rebuke to Mary. So, it seems that our Marian doctrine is a heresy!
Sadly, I personally know Catholics who also feel this way. They never pray the rosary. For myself, I believe in Mother Mary. Instinctively, it seems to be common sense that a mother should be honoured by her family. Eminent bible scholar Dr Brian Pitre provides the following reasons to support the Catholic Church’s Marian doctrine and our beliefs.
Firstly, the 5th commandment states, “honour your father and mother”. Jesus has come to fulfil the laws and not to break them. Therefore, Mary will definitely be honoured. Secondly, when Jesus spoke that “only those who do the will of his heavenly father…is my mother”, the original Greek language suggests that Jesus was pointing to Mary, who had just arrived. Indeed, Mary DID do the ultimate will of our heavenly Father by accepting her role as the Mother of Christ. Far from rebuking her, Jesus should now be seen as honouring Mary. He was praising her in front of the crowd.
This gospel passage is also linked to the other controversy of the perpetual virginity of Mary. Clearly, Jesus was told, “your mother and brothers (and sisters) are outside”. Apart from Matthew, Mark 6 also named James, Joses, Judas and Simon as Jesus’ brothers. Dr Pitre eloquently counters this controversy by stating that the original Greek language for brothers is “Adelphos”. Depending on context, the word either means brother or kinsmen (close relatives). Dr Pitre states that evidence from Mark 15 supports that it is “kinsmen” as James and Joses are clearly identified as sons of another Mary. In turn, this Mary is the wife of Cleopas, who was Jesus’ uncle.
Mary is the mother of Jesus. She is the mother of God. I believe she is a virgin and she was assumed into heaven and is with her son Jesus in heaven. She is also our mother. While facts and research are good to support the Catholic Church’s position, we simply need faith to believe and honour her.
Indeed, Mother Mary and the rosary saved me on a recent holiday in Fukuoka. I was on a solo trip in June and stayed in a capsule hotel. On my first night at around 3.30am, I was awoken by a force pressing heavily on my chest. I opened my eyes to find my whole body covered by the duvet like a corpse. I could not move at all and struggled to breathe. A woman’s voice mockingly said, “help me, help me”. I panicked, but immediately said the rosary out loud and implored Jesus and Mary to help me. Gradually, I regained my strength and felt the force disappear. I gathered my strength and lifted the duvet. The room was empty. I got up and said, “Mother Mary be with me.” For the rest of my stay, I was left alone!
Brothers and sisters, Mother Mary truly protected me.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Andrew Sia)
Prayer: Mother Mary, continue to help and protect us. Help us deepen our faith always.
Thanksgiving: Thanks be to the rosary and the mysteries of faith.
OXYGEN 
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