Mary is Our Mother
2nd Sunday in Advent
“The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”Ps. 126
Jesus is God made human, who comes to redeem us and give us the greatest treasure a human being can receive, even though in our human frailty we often fail to value it as we should. This treasure is divine life, eternal life, the dignity of being children of God, salvation from death, and forgiveness. And all this happened thanks to Mary’s “Yes.”
This is why we can call Mary the Co-Redemptrix, as she was the special instrument chosen by God to bring us salvation and supernatural life in Christ. She is the first redeemed, in an anticipatory way (Immaculate Conception), receiving the dignity of being a Daughter of God, freed from the chains of sin, in preparation for the birth of the Redeemer for humanity.
Having no sin and giving her “Yes” to God from beginning to end, Mary did not experience death but was assumed into Heaven, for it is sin that leads to death. Besides this inestimable gift of God, which is Mary’s role in mediating salvation, Jesus also gave her to us as a mother from the cross, so we could enjoy the most perfect mother we could dream of or imagine. Planned by God, she is therefore the most beautiful both physically and spiritually, being full of love and devoid of any trace of selfishness or sin.
What does receiving this gift from God mean? How can we welcome Mary as our mother in daily life?
- Being aware of her maternal and loving presence in our lives, especially in the face of the adversities of this world, which she also endured, trusting in God even when she could not fully understand.
- Responding to her maternal love by trying to please her with our “Yes,” modeled after hers. Doing what she desires for us what Jesus tells us—and giving our “Yes” in the face of every adversity or cross.
- Staying close to her beloved Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, so we do not walk in darkness but follow the secure path that leads to Heaven, where we will rejoice with her and all the saints for eternity.
Jesus gave us this great gift when there was nothing left for Him to give. He had already shared His divine revelation through His words and deeds and was about to pour out every last drop of His blood out of love for us and for our salvation. He also knew we needed the assistance of a perfect mother like Mary, who would help us follow Him, just as she did from the very beginning of the Church.
After Jesus’ Ascension, Mary gathered the apostles for nine days of prayer to prepare them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, marking the birth of the living Church. This Church has the Holy Spirit as its soul and Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, as its mother. She continues to accompany us and intercede for us with her maternal love, as she has shown through her countless manifestations, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mary continues to prepare us to receive salvation in Christ and to await His second coming.
Weekly Readings
Sunday: Bar 5:1-9/Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3)/Phil 1:4-6, 8-11/Lk 3:1-6
Monday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4/Eph 1-6, 11-12/ Lk 1:26-38
Tuesday: Is 40:1-11/Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13/Mt 18:12-14
Wednesday: Is 40:25-31/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10/Mt 11:28-30
Thursday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Jdt 13:18bcde, 19/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47
Friday: Is 48:17-19/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Mt 11:16-19
Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19/Mt 17:9a, 10-13
Next Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a/ls 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 (6)/Phil 4:4-7/Lk 3:10-18
Observances for the Week
Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Advent
Monday: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Tuesday: Our Lady of Loreto
Wednesday: St. Damasus I, Pope
Thursday: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Friday: St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Saturday: St. John of the Cross
Next Sunday: 3rd Sunday of Advent
