Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 3rd Sunday of Lent.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The ninth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.” There are thirty-five (35) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 973.
We cannot treat holy Mother Church without also treating the holy Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is so because Mother Church was founded by Jesus Christ, Son of the Eternal Father, Son of Mary.
Part of the key role played by the Blessed Virgin Mary can be seen in the Annunciation. When Almighty God sent the Archangel Gabriel to Our Lady her free will was respected and her decision accepted. Her obedience to God’s saving will untied the knot of Eve’s disobedience (cf. Genesis 3:1–24; Luke 1:26–38).
Another aspect of the Virgin Mary’s key role can be seen in the fruit of the Annunciation, namely, the Incarnation. Christ Jesus received His human nature from Our Lady and became the new Adam who was obedient unto death, death on a Cross (cf. Philippians 2:8; Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45).
The ‘fiat’ of the Virgin Mary is expressed in the words: “Let it be done to me according to your word” (fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum) (Luke 1:38). While many think of an Italian sport car when they see the word fiat, we who are followers of Christ Jesus the Lord should think of Our Lady and our salvation which hangs on her “yes.”
The Blessed Virgin Mary collaborates in all the work which her Son accomplishes. Anything the Lord Jesus did during His earthly mission, He did in part, thanks to His human nature which He received from His Mother, Our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even still, now glorious in Heaven and for all eternity, the Lord Jesus still acts in His human nature which He received from His Blessed Mother. When Jesus cures the sick by stretching out His hand or speaking He does so thanks to Our Lady (cf. Matthew 8:13, 16; Mark 3:10; Luke 4:40; 6:19; 7:7; 8:47; 22:51). When Jesus worked His first miracle at Cana it was at His Mother’s request (cf. John 2:1–11).
One of the last things the Lord Jesus said on this Earth as He was dying on the Cross was “Behold your mother” (Ecce Mater Tua) (John 19:27). While we rightly rejoice with Our Lady in Nazareth and Bethlehem we should not forget her at Calvary and in the Cenacle (cf. Matthew 2:1–11; Luke 1:26; 2:51; John 19:25; Acts 1:14). Mary is the Mother above all when Jesus is Savior and Head of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church.
As faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior and Head, let us be sure to honor His mother, who is also our Mother in the order of grace, and follow her teachings as well: “Do whatever He tells you!” (John 2:5b).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr