Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
When taken as a whole there is a tension between Mary and Eve in today's readings. This is nothing new. Since the earliest centuries of the church, writers have discussed the connection, but it is still fruitful to reflect upon.
In the optional reading from Genesis, we see Adam and Eve hiding. We see them putting distance between themselves and God. They also don't want to see the consequences of their disobedience nor take ownership of them. Eve even deflects by placing all of her blame upon the serpent. The passage ends with God's promise of restoration and Eve being given the name, mother of all the living.
As we approach the other readings we see the restoration take place.
Eve and Adam hid from the consequences of sin and in their sense of nakedness. However, Mary stands at the foot of the cross. She is not hiding as she looks upon her son stripped and crucified. She, with tremendous courage, stays close to Jesus.
In the garden, God had to come looking for Adam and Eve. God had to call for them. In our reading from Acts, Mary and the disciples call out to the Lord. They recognize their inadequacy and call to the Lord. Mary does not act as one drawing away from God but toward God.
Finally, Mary in our Gospel is proclaimed as mother. A restrictive reading of the text would limit her to being named the mother of the beloved disciple. But we are not being invited to take a restrictive reading. Today's feast day calls her the Mother of the Church, inviting us to think of her as the mother of all disciples. This is comforting.
Mary has shown that she is not afraid to look upon her son when he was stripped naked and brutalized by sin. She looks upon us with the same affection when we are equally vulnerable. We might be tempted to think her maternal affection was for Jesus because he was perfectly innocent. But we see her at the center of prayer with the same men who abandoned Jesus as he entered his passion. She will not shy away from us in prayer. We, as disciples, can draw near to the mother Jesus has given us for she will guide us in inviting the Spirit into our lives.
Mother of all disciples,
you knew the Father's love from the faith of your ancestors
all the way back to Abraham and Sarah.
Encourage us in our faith in the Father's promises.
You gave your life to the Son as only a mother can.
You gave him your heart and your flesh.
You bore him and in so doing allowed him to shape you.
As we welcome you into our inner room
teach us to give ourselves as fully to your Son as you did.
You witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit
to accomplish God's will even when our efforts would fall short.
You were overshadowed by the Spirit.
Show us how to invite the Spirit into our lives and deep into our hearts.
Gather us in prayer.
Embolden us to courageously look into the ugliness of sin and brokenness
with eyes of love for one another.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
- Spencer Hargadon