Greetings on this the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Readings: Gn 3:9-15, 20; PS 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7; Jn 19:25-34
Notes: The Monday after Pentecost is celebrated as recognizing Mary, Mother of the Church.
From March 3, 2018, at the Register: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/why-the-new-memorial-of-mary-mother-of-the-church-is-so-remarkable
First reading
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
He will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel.
NABRE Commentary on this verse: They will strike…at their heel: the antecedent for “they” and “their” is the collective noun “offspring,” i.e., all the descendants of the woman. Christian tradition has seen in this passage, however, more than unending hostility between snakes and human beings. The snake was identified with the devil (Wis 2:24; Jn 8:44; Rev 12:9; 20:2), whose eventual defeat seemed implied in the verse. Because “the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn 3:8), the passage was understood as the first promise of a redeemer for fallen humankind, the protoevangelium. Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. A.D. 130–200), in his Against Heresies 5.21.1, followed by several other Fathers of the Church, interpreted the verse as referring to Christ, and cited Gal 3:19 and 4:4 to support the reference. Another interpretive translation is ipsa, “she,” and is reflected in Jerome’s Vulgate. “She” was thought to refer to Mary, the mother of the messiah. In Christian art Mary is sometimes depicted with her foot on the head of the serpent.
Responsorial Psalm
Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.
Alleluia Verse
O happy Virgin, you gave birth to the Lord;
O blessed mother of the Church,
you warm our hearts with the Spirit of your Son Jesus Christ.
Gospel Portion
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved,
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Blessed Mother, warm our hearts with love for your Son.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 