HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
THEME: MARY, GOOD CARETAKER OF GOD’S TREASURES
On March 3, 2018, Pope Francis announced that a new memorial would be celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost Sunday, entitled “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.” Henceforth, this memorial is added to the General Roman Calendar and is to be universally celebrated throughout the Church.
In instituting this memorial, Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, said:
“This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God.” ‘Anchored’ to the Cross, the Eucharist, and the Blessed Virgin Mary who is both “Mother of the Redeemer” and “Mother of the Redeemed.” Her presence with the Apostles at the Upper room clearly and most succinctly demonstrate this.
What beautiful insights and inspiring words from this holy Cardinal of the Church. Mary was a great steward of God’s treasure. She cared for her son even to the point of death, and when it was time for him to fulfil his purpose she didn’t hold him back. The tenants in the Gospel text unlike Mary decided to lay claim and own what was given to them as caretakers. They forgot that as St. Peter tells us in the First reading, the glory and power we enjoy is given to us by God- it’s grace moment by moment.
Many a times we behave like these tenants when human as we are, we want to grab things for ourselves, opposing God’s ownership, and in the process we forfeit our original tenancy status. As a consequence, we also forfeit God’s generosity, trust and patience and so we are thrown out of the vineyard. All created things belong to God and we are his tenants or stewards. We must emulate the footsteps of the Mother of the Church and be good caretakers of God’s treasures.
On the sixth month, the Blessed Virgin Mary received favours and Divine message from God (cf. Lk.1:26). Through her intercession may favours, breakthrough, healing, promotion and Divine visitation locate you this new month of June. Amen.
_Happy New Week! Happy New Month!_
