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The first reading is a joyful song of praise: Yahweh has come to redeem His people, and "daughter Jerusalem" is told to "sing and rejoice". And the gospel reading is Jesus' reply to those who report that His mother and brethren wish to speak to Him. Jesus, pointing to His disciples, says: "These are my mother and my brethren. Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is brother and sister and mother to me." In his homily in the Prayer of the Church (the breviary) for today's feast, St Augustine applies the words of the gosepl to Mary, Jesus' mother. Her true glory is not physical maternity but her trust in her Son. She is, Augustine says, "more blest in her discipleship than in her motherhood". Great as is the privilege of being the mother of the Incarnate Word; greater still is her faith in her Son and His Gospel. Augustine then applies this greatness to the Church, of whom Mary is the biblical symbol, and to each of us, "brothers and sisters of the Lord". We must not glory in the honour of being Christians or Catholics. That is indeed a privilege, like Mary's maternity. But what makes us true disciples of her Son is our faith in Him. St Augustine says that we too are called to become "mothers of Christ". How? By imitating Mary in drawing others to baptism and faith. Vatican II tells us that this is Mary's true role in the Church. She is the model of discipleship. Lord, like mother Mary, may we present Jesus to others. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That politicians and economists may feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people, giving first place to the most poverty-stricken
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This prophetic year 2000 projecting into the 3rd millennium is faced with people suffering from hunger, under-development, lack of work, abandoned old people, the sick without care and those suffering from the scourge of drugs. In front of these facts we are called to review our conduct, choices, commitment in the light of the causes which have determined them. Every Christian who is a member of a state and an economic system must take on himself specific responsibilities to overcome these negative elements which greatly disturb the harmonious development of persons and peoples and are at the root of poverty and of its increase. We cannot place ourselves in a situation of passive waiting for other people's conversion. Our personal conversion is the starting point for hope for the necessary changes of direction. It is our hearts we must change. Conversion is a grace given to those who ask the Saviour for it. We turn to the Lord, with insistent prayer, and ask that we may influence the "politicians and economists to feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people and especially the most poverty-stricken". | |
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