Mother of the Church

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today inspire our contemplation of the role of Mary, Mother of God, in our understanding of the Love of God for people and the Church.

santa maria maggiore piazza

The reading from Genesis describes the Expulsion from Eden.

* [3:15] 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. (Genesis, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)

Psalm 87 praises the Joy of Living in Zion.

* [Psalm 87] A song of Zion, like Ps 46; 48; 76; 132.

* [87:2] The gates: the city itself, a common Hebrew idiom.

* [87:5–6] The bond between the exile and the holy city was so strong as to override the exile’s citizenship of lesser cities. (Psalms, PSALM 87, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ side is pierced.

* [19:26–27] This scene has been interpreted literally, of Jesus’ concern for his mother; and symbolically, e.g., in the light of the Cana story in Jn 2 (the presence of the mother of Jesus, the address woman, and the mention of the hour) and of the upper room in Jn 13 (the presence of the beloved disciple; the hour). Now that the hour has come (Jn 19:28), Mary (a symbol of the church?) is given a role as the mother of Christians (personified by the beloved disciple); or, as a representative of those seeking salvation, she is supported by the disciple who interprets Jesus’ revelation; or Jewish and Gentile Christianity (or Israel and the Christian community) are reconciled. (John, CHAPTER 19, n.d.)

Maureen Waldron comments that today the Church celebrates Mary as the Mother of the Church.  Jesus is saying to us, “Behold, here is your mother.”  Too often in our modern day, Mary can be rejected or ignored, entrapped by sentimental piety which robs her of her power. The early disciples saw her as we can: a strong mother, Jesus’ mother, and a courageous leader among them.

I picture Mary as a warm, laughing woman who entertained others with her stories.  She prayed from her heart when she was afraid, and she drew courage from God and the scriptures for each bold step she was called to take in life.  I suspect that like so many women, her role as a mother expanded her heart to love in ways she could not have imagined.

Today as we celebrate Mary, we see her humanity, her deep faith, her love for both her son and husband.  And we see her not only as the mother of all of those who followed Jesus each day, but as our mother, a loving force who welcomes us with open arms – each one of us her children, who were given to her by her beloved son. (Waldron, 2023)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 19:25-34 comments that as Jesus hung on the cross, he gave Mary to John, the Beloved Disciple, as his own mother (John 19:27). And in doing so, he gave Mary not only to John but to all disciples. Jesus entrusted Mary with a new mission that day: to build up the Church through her motherly care for all of Jesus’ disciples throughout the centuries.

Where do you need Mary’s motherly help today? Do not hesitate to bring your needs to her. Let Jesus reassure you, just as he reassured John: “Behold, your mother.”

“Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for me! May I know and love Jesus more and more each day.” (Meditation on John 19:25-34, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on how sin separates us from God, others, and Nature as portrayed in Genesis. The snake as the symbol of evil is connected to David’s victories, Jesus' triumph, and Mary as symbolized in the statue of the Immaculate Conception. Friar Jude reminds us of the sacramental and matrimonial symbols in John as the disciples of Jesus as charged with raising children in the Church for Christ.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the Holy Spirit empowers us from within. He suggests that the Holy Spirit’s empowerment is the ultimate answer to our prayers.

We pray not to change God but to change ourselves. We pray to form a living relationship, not to get things done. Prayer is a symbiotic relationship with life and with God, a synergy which creates a result larger than the exchange itself. God knows that we need to pray to keep the symbiotic relationship moving and growing. Prayer is not a way to try to control God, or even to get what we want. As Jesus says in Luke’s Gospel (11:13), the answer to every prayer is one, the same, and the best: the Holy Spirit! God gives us power more than answers. [2] 

A truly spiritual woman, a truly whole man, is a very powerful person. The fully revealed God of the Bible is not interested in keeping us as children (1 Corinthians 13:11) or “orphans” (John 14:18). God wants adult partners who can handle power and critique themselves (see Hebrews 5:11–6:1). [3] (Rohr, 2023)

We are heirs to the adoption of Mary by the Beloved Disciple as we raise up children for Christ by our piety, study, and action.

References

Genesis, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/3?9 

John, CHAPTER 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/19?25 

Meditation on John 19:25-34. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/29/693849/ 

Psalms, PSALM 87. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/87?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, May 29). The Divine Strategy — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-divine-strategy-2023-05-29/ 

Waldron, M. (2023, May 29). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052923.html 

Spirit for the Common Good

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of Pentecost, assert the power of the Holy Spirit to activate our gifts for community and care of others.

Spirit and Community

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles, proclaims the coming of the Holy Spirit. 

* [2:1–41] Luke’s pentecostal narrative consists of an introduction (Acts 2:1–13), a speech ascribed to Peter declaring the resurrection of Jesus and its messianic significance (Acts 2:14–36), and a favorable response from the audience (Acts 2:37–41). It is likely that the narrative telescopes events that took place over a period of time and on a less dramatic scale. The Twelve were not originally in a position to proclaim publicly the messianic office of Jesus without incurring immediate reprisal from those religious authorities in Jerusalem who had brought about Jesus’ death precisely to stem the rising tide in his favor.

* [2:2] There came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind: wind and spirit are associated in Jn 3:8. The sound of a great rush of wind would herald a new action of God in the history of salvation.

* [2:3] Tongues as of fire: see Ex 19:18 where fire symbolizes the presence of God to initiate the covenant on Sinai. Here the holy Spirit acts upon the apostles, preparing them to proclaim the new covenant with its unique gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).

* [2:4] To speak in different tongues: ecstatic prayer in praise of God, interpreted in Acts 2:6, 11 as speaking in foreign languages, symbolizing the worldwide mission of the church. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)

Psalm 104 praises God the Creator and Provider.

* [104:29–30] On one level, the spirit (or wind) of God is the fall and winter rains that provide food for all creatures. On another, it is the breath (or spirit) of God that makes beings live. (Psalms, PSALM 104, n.d.)

The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians describes the Spirit for One Body with many members.

* [12:12–26] The image of a body is introduced to explain Christ’s relationship with believers (1 Cor 12:12). 1 Cor 12:13 applies this model to the church: by baptism all, despite diversity of ethnic or social origins, are integrated into one organism. 1 Cor 12:14–26 then develop the need for diversity of function among the parts of a body without threat to its unity. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus Appears to the Disciples.

* [20:19–29] The appearances to the disciples, without or with Thomas (cf. Jn 11:16; 14:5), have rough parallels in the other gospels only for Jn 20:19–23; cf. Lk 24:36–39; Mk 16:14–18.

* [20:19] The disciples: by implication from Jn 20:24 this means ten of the Twelve, presumably in Jerusalem. Peace be with you: although this could be an ordinary greeting, John intends here to echo Jn 14:27. The theme of rejoicing in Jn 20:20 echoes Jn 16:22. (John, CHAPTER 20, n.d.)

Cindy Costanzo comments that Pentecost was a new beginning for the church and each year it is representative of a new beginning for each of us. It is a wonderful time to remember and reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit: fortitude, piety, fear of God, counsel, understanding, wisdom, and knowledge.

I try to imagine that day…what a wonderous and glorious sight to visualize the descent of the Holy Spirit. I think of the Holy Spirit as a beautiful gift. A gift that was given to the Apostles but to each of us. If I believe in the Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and I declare myself a child of God, a Christian, a believer, someone who is  ‘all in’ my heart, mind, soul, and spirit…is not the Holy Spirit within me and all around me? Can I sit quietly, in silence, breathing in and out, listening, praying, feeling the earth supporting my body, the breeze gently blowing my hair, the birds singing, cottonwood trees rustling and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Yes, I believe so. Amen. (Costanzo, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The Holy Spirit at Pentecost,” by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.

"To the Hebrew people, now freed from Egypt, the law was given on Mount Sinai fifty days after the immolation of the paschal lamb. Similarly, after the passion of Christ in which the true Lamb of God was killed, just fifty days after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles and the whole group of believers. Thus the earnest Christian may easily perceive that the beginnings of the Old Covenant were at the service of the beginnings of the gospel and that the same Spirit who instituted the first established the Second Covenant." (excerpt from Sermon 75.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 2:1-11 comments that the Holy Spirit still wants to dismantle walls between people from all walks of life and bring them together. And by virtue of our baptism, we are called to participate in that mission.

How? You can start right where you live. You’re sure to encounter someone who might not “speak your language.” Maybe someone in your family or among your neighbors has a different worldview than you do. Maybe there are people who come from a different country or from a different generation. Bring Jesus to them. Just say a prayer, open your mouth, and trust the Spirit to work through you to bring them together.

The Holy Spirit is still eager to bring us all together in Christ. Let him fill you on this special day!

“Holy Spirit, give me the words to proclaim the good news wherever I go.” (Meditation on Acts 2:1-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments ( after reflecting on the Vigil texts) that in reversing the separation of the Tower of Babel we understand that language should unite us. The Greek understanding that Paul confronts is that Spirit is good and physical, Human Jesus, is not good, as builds on Stoic understanding of community. Friar Jude suggests that Yes is the answer to the differences in Luke, a historian, and John, a mystic, about the Holy Spirit being received by the apostles.

James Hanvey SJ, Secretary for the Service of the Faith for the Society of Jesus, draws our attention to the work of the Spirit to bring us into communion with one another, a communion in which we see Christ in every hopeful or sorrowful face.

I believe that the gospel opens up paths of encounter with our world, especially those who are lost, abandoned, and forgotten. Those, too, who may not acknowledge any faith but long for a better world, a more compassionate and just community, a new way of sharing life with the whole of God’s good creation, still becoming and evolving.

Whenever we hear the words of Christ and attend with an open heart, we see ourselves and those around us in a new light. We see that the beatitudes are not just something for the future, but even now they are among us. The corporate and spiritual works of mercy are already our solidarity and communion in action. They are the paths on which the Spirit is leading us to encounter the face of Christ in each other. (Hanvey, 2020)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reminds us that the Holy Spirit is as near to us as our own breath. 

In teaching on the Holy Spirit, what we need to do is “mind the gap”—because the Holy Spirit fills the gaps of everything. First, we need to be aware that there usually is a gap. There’s a space because we don’t recognize that God is as available to us as our breath. We always allow God, by our own silliness and stupidity, to be distant, to be elsewhere. We always find a gap between ourselves and our neighbor, between ourselves and almost everything. We therefore feel quite lonely and isolated in this world. Without some awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, frankly, we’re not connected to anything or anybody. We just live an isolated life.   

The Holy Spirit within us is the desire inside all of us that wants to keep connecting, relating, and communing. It isn’t above us. It isn’t beyond us—it is within us. It’s as available as our breath, and that’s why the Risen Christ gives the Holy Spirit by breathing upon the disciples. He’s saying, in effect, “Here it is! Here it is! Can you breathe in what I have breathed out?” (Rohr, 2023)

We invoke the Holy Spirit to be created and renew the face of the earth as we connect to Jesus and our brothers and sisters.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?1 

Costanzo, C. (2023, May 28). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052823.html 

Hanvey, J. (2020, May 28). In times of darkness. Thinking Faith. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/times-darkness 

John, CHAPTER 20. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20?19 

Meditation on Acts 2:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/28/691462/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/12?3 

Psalms, PSALM 104. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/104?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, May 28). As Close as Our Breath — Center for Action and Contemplation. Cac.org. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/as-close-as-our-breath-2023-05-28/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Were All Filled with the Holy Spirit! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may28