24 May 2021
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
“Behold your mother” (Jn. 19:27). Jesus says these words not just to John, but to the whole Church. What does it mean for us to say that Mary is our mother? One thing it means is that there should be some kind of a family resemblance. If you were to look at my mother and me side by side, you would see quickly the resemblance (I inherited her wiry frame, for one). If we are truly to be children of Mary, we should look like Mary—if not physically, then spiritually.
What is the spiritual resemblance we ought to have with Mary? Pope Francis calls Mary “the supreme model for a youthful Church that seeks to follow Christ with enthusiasm and docility.” Rather than being driven by anger, or fear, we are driven by the joy we experience in Christ’s presence and an eagerness to share this joy. Rather than focusing on ourselves and our own preferences for how things ought to be, we are attentive to God and His will in our lives. When others see our spiritual lives marked by this enthusiasm and docility, they will recognize Mary as our mother, and mother of the whole Church.