Greetings on this the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7; John 19:25-34
Summary
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 (Jn 19:26-27).
From an interview…
“How are we treating the people of God? I dream of a church that is a mother and shepherdess. The church’s ministers must be merciful, take responsibility for the people and accompany them like the good Samaritan, who washes, cleans and raises up his neighbor. This is pure Gospel. God is greater than sin. The structural and organizational reforms are secondary—that is, they come afterward. The first reform must be the attitude. The ministers of the Gospel must be people who can warm the hearts of the people, who walk through the dark night with them, who know how to dialogue and to descend themselves into their people’s night, into the darkness, but without getting lost. The people of God want pastors, not clergy acting like bureaucrats or government officials. The bishops, particularly, must be able to support the movements of God among their people with patience, so that no one is left behind. But they must also be able to accompany the flock that has a flair for finding new paths.
“Instead of being just a church that welcomes and receives by keeping the doors open, let us try also to be a church that finds new roads, that is able to step outside itself and go to those who do not attend Mass, to those who have quit or are indifferent. The ones who quit sometimes do it for reasons that, if properly understood and assessed, can lead to a return. But that takes audacity and courage.”
Source: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2013/09/30/big-heart-open-god-interview-pope-francis
Reflection from last year for this Memorial: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2024/05/20/behold-your-mother/
Reflection
It is ‘easy’ to see the Blessed Mother needing a Son to care for her after Jesus dies. Why is it so hard to see the same for everyone else? It takes audacity and courage to understand these spontaneous protests against the heavy handed ICE raids and expulsions. It takes moral courage to change your enforcement ways to be in right relation.
Moral Courage. Not military courage. You cannot achieve justice and peace with the butt of a gun against your own family. Against your own Mother.
The least one shall become a clan, the smallest, a mighty nation; I, the LORD, will swiftly accomplish these things when the time comes (ISA 60:22).
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/la-protests-ice-raids-trump-06-09-25
Personal Reflection
The Church has not internalized the Pope Francis’ request. Now that he is the seed that has died, it will germinate within us and grow. Pope Leo XIV is the first sprout.
Pray we have the courage to change our attitude.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060925.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry