June 1, 2020 Reflection – The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Our Lady at Pentecost! Mary, Mother of the Church!!! (c) Mary TV June 1, 2020 The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the ChurchDear Family of Mary! This is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church! It is a new memorial, (only 2 years old) which will fall on the Monday after Pentecost each year. What a fitting way to move back into Ordinary Time! With our Mother!!! Our Lady has only referred to herself as Mother of the Church once in her messages (so far). Here is the message. Our Lady speaks to us about the Church and how we should love the Church and do works of love for the Church!! Her words are amazing: June 02, 2016 “Dear children, as the Mother of the Church, as your mother, I am smiling as I look at you: how you are coming to me, how you are gathering around me, how you are seeking me. My comings among you are proof of how much Heaven loves you. They indicate to you the way to eternal life, to salvation. My apostles, you who strive to have a pure heart and to have my Son in it, you are on the good way. You who are seeking my Son are seeking the good way. He left many signs of His love. He left hope. It is easy to find Him if you are ready for sacrifice and penance – if you have patience, mercy and love for your neighbors. Many of my children do not see and do not hear because they do not want to. They do not accept my words and my works, yet through me, my Son calls everyone. His Spirit illuminates all of my children in the light of the Heavenly Father, in the unity of Heaven and Earth, in mutual love – because love invokes love and makes works more important than words. Therefore, my apostles, pray for your Church, love it and do works of love. No matter how betrayed or wounded, it is here because it comes from the Heavenly Father. Pray for your shepherds so that in them you may see the greatness of the love of my Son. Thank you.” The title “Mother of the Church” is so powerful and appropriate! Our Lady was at the center of the events in Christ’s life, always silently accompanying Him in His earthly journey, and then accompanying His Apostles as they went out to witness to Jesus and build the Church. Her presence was indispensable. That is why we are so blessed to have her with us today in this most amazing way in Medjugorje. She is here with us because God is up to something!! For Holy Mass today, the Preface for this Memorial eloquently expresses Our Lady’s role in the life of the Church, as Mother!! I want to share it with you so you can pray with the Church this beautiful preface before the Eucharistic prayers: Preface: Mary, Model and Mother of the Church It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, and to proclaim your greatness with due praise, as we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. Receiving your Word in her Immaculate Heart, she was found worthy to conceive him in her virgin’s womb and, giving birth to the Creator, she nurtured the beginnings of the Church. Standing beside the Cross, she received the testament of divine love and took to herself as sons and daughters all those who by the Death of Christ are born to heavenly life. As the Apostles awaited the Spirit you had promised, she joined her supplication to the prayers of the disciples and so became the pattern of the Church at prayer. Raised to the glory of heaven, she accompanies your pilgrim Church with a mother’s love and watches in kindness over the Church’s homeward steps, until the Lord’s Day shall come in glorious splendor. And so, with all the Angels and Saints, we praise you, as without end we acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy… Isn’t this beautiful!! Let us pray with gratitude to God for such a Mother!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2020 PS. St. James Parish in Medjugorje has a “summer schedule” that begins today , June 1st and runs until September 1st. The Evening Program of the parish will begin at 6:00 pm Medjugorje time -the Rosary is at 6:00 pm and Holy Mass is at 7:00 pm. It is not clear yet when Adoration will be scheduled. But for now, be aware that the Parish Rosary will begin at 6:00 pm Medjugorje time!!