25 May, Monday — Mamma Mia!

May 25 – The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

The Blessed Virgin Mary has been given the title of Mother of the Church since she gave birth to Christ, the Head of the Church, and she became the Mother of the redeemed people before her Son had given up the spirit on the Cross. Pope Paul VI solemnly confirmed the title in an address to the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council on 21 November 1964 and decreed that the whole Christian people should, by the use of this beautiful title, give still greater honour to the Mother of God.

‘The joyous veneration given to the Mother of God by the contemporary Church, in light of reflection on the mystery of Christ and on his nature, cannot ignore the figure of a woman (cf. Gal 4:4), the Virgin Mary, who is both the Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church. In some ways, this was already present in the mind of the Church from the premonitory words of Saint Augustine and Saint Leo the Great. In fact, the former says that Mary is the mother of the members of Christ, because with charity, she cooperated in the rebirth of the faithful into the Church, while the latter says that the birth of the Head is also the birth of the body, thus indicating that Mary is at once Mother of Christ, the Son of God, and mother of the members of his Mystical Body, which is the Church’ (Decree of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship).

• Universalis

The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, is a liturgical feast celebrated annually on the Monday after Pentecost. Instituted by Pope Francis in 2018, it recognizes Mary as the spiritual mother of Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church, highlighting her role at the Cross and during the birth of the Church.

Gen 3:9-15,20
Jn 19:25-34

“This is your mother.”

In this special month dedicated to Mother Mary, many of us also celebrate Mother’s Day with our earthly mothers. They are the ones who have carried us in their wombs, endured childbirth, nurtured us through our growing years and continue to care for us as we grow into adulthood. They also continue to worry for us as we navigate parenthood, building our careers, and all manner of upheaval/transition in our lives.

And even as we serve in ministry, we too experience a similar journey of birth (when we join a new ministry), development and growth into our various roles. Especially for those who are called to step up and lead, to take over as ministry heads/leaders and, for some, running organisations dedicated to the church. I empathise with our brothers and sisters who constantly have to deal with members who ‘stray off course’ or who cause division/dissension and sow seeds of doubt, anxiety or fear among ministries. It is no easy task having to manage so many, with all manner of dynamics that come into play each time there is interaction.

If all this sounds too familiar, then perhaps we can take a pause and realise that all of us are in the same boat…in one way or another. We struggle to remain faithful to our ministries/communities, wondering whether we should stay, go, join another ministry/community, or utter that familiar refrain – “I need to take a sabbatical.”

It brings to mind the disciples who abandoned Jesus at His time of need. And how only John remained with Mary at the foot of the cross. And I take comfort in the fact that regardless of what we choose, where we go or move, how we manage our different ‘seasons’, Jesus gives us His Mother — to be our source of hope, inspiration and our anchor. Because when he utters those 4 words to John, He is not just referring to the individual. Jesus gives Mary to ALL of us.

This is something I am eternally grateful to our Lord for. Because in my moments of despair and indecision, when I have had to ponder long and hard over a decision, it is my mother Mary who has reminded me of the need to be humble in service and steadfastly courageous in duty to God. Yes, to God, and to no one else. And that when all around us, storms are brewing and throwing waves at us, we must never give up hope. All we need to do is to pray to our heavenly Mother, and she will make sure that God hears our cries.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of where we are right now with our earthly mothers (even if they have departed this world), rest assured that our Mama Mary is the ultimate mother for us – who cares for us, who continues to nurture us in our spirituality, and who will always intercede for us.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)

Prayer: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Thank You Lord, for giving us Mother Mary to be our Mother. She always protects and takes care of us, as her adopted sons and daughters. We love her very much. Amen.