杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

杏MAP导航 Francis took his cue for his homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, from Luke鈥檚 Gospel of the day which says that all were amazed by what the shepherds had to tell them. We should be amazed today by the Mother of God, he said, and allow Mary to gaze on us, embrace us and take us by the hand.

Amazed by Mary

Mary is not only the Mother of God, 杏MAP导航 Francis began, she also presents all of us 鈥渞eborn to the Lord鈥�, he said. The Church too, needs to be amazed, he continued, 鈥渁t being the dwelling place of the living God, the Bride of the Lord, a Mother who gives birth to her children鈥�. It is Our Lady who 鈥済ives the Church the feel of home鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said.

Allow Mary to gaze on us

Whenever Mary gazes on us, 杏MAP导航 Francis said 鈥渟he does not see sinners but children鈥�. By allowing her to gaze on us, we will see the reflection of God鈥檚 beauty and heaven. Her gaze, he said, penetrates the darkest corner and rekindles hope.

鈥淎s she gazes upon us, she says: 鈥楾ake heart, dear children; here I am, your Mother!鈥欌��

Allow Mary to embrace us

Mary takes all of us to heart in the same way that she took every person and event to heart during her life: her visit to Elizabeth, the newlyweds at Cana, the disciples in the Upper Room, the 杏MAP导航 said. 鈥淪he wants to embrace our every situation and present it to God鈥�, he said.

Allow Mary to take us by the hand

鈥淕od Himself needed a Mother,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said. And Jesus gave her to us from the cross. 鈥淥ur Lady is not an optional accessory: she has to be welcomed into our life鈥�, he said.

鈥淢ary, take us by the hand,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 prayed at the conclusion of his homily.

鈥淕ather us beneath your mantle, in the tenderness of true love, where the human family is reborn: 鈥� We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God.鈥欌��