MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - MOTHER OF THE CHURCH 2020

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Happy are you, holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise,
for from you arose the sun of justice, Christ our God.



GENESIS 3:9-15, 20

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,


One can almost hear the anguish in God's voice as He said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" How could she know what it will cost the Father to undo what she had done? The fruit of the tree from which Adam and Eve ate cost us paradise. You are the Fruit nailed on the Tree of Life, and all who eat of it are saved.


The head of the serpent, the father of lies and death, is crushed by the victory and triumph of the Word made flesh in the womb of the Virgin. Mary. She who is the Mother of God and the new Eve helps us in our battle against evil, for she is the Mother of the Church.

PSALM 87:1-3, 6-7

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

You are the Gate to the holy city established on God's holy mountain. Thank You for entrusting all who make their home in You to Your Mother, Mary, and for giving us a share in Your Kingdom which is being established here on earth. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who is making of us a kingdom of kings and priests for the glory of God. 

JOHN 19:25-34

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

Your sorrowful Mother stood beneath the Cross with her eyes fixed lovingly on You. As each horrific scene unfolded during Your agonizing passion, she knew that this was why You were born, this is why You came into the world. But this knowledge did nothing to console her as she looked upon the lacerated Body of her beloved Son nailed to the Tree from which new life will flow.  

Full of grace, she walked with God from the moment of her conception. She continues to be the Mother of Sorrow for You have entrusted the members of Your pilgrim Church to her. In Your self-emptying love for us, You gave us all and in Your dying moments, You also gave us the treasure of Your Mother to be our treasured Mother too. Just as Eve was formed from the side of Adam, so too Your Bride, the Church, was formed when the soldier pierced Your side with a lance. The sword piercing Your side ran through Mary's as well just as Simeon had prophesied, thus opening a way for all the members of Your Body to find a  home in her loving heart.