Mary, model of pardoning injuries
This homily is given at the misa-novenario of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish, Project 4, QC last Nov. 24, 2011.
If Mary were to be the model of pardoning injuries, the best opportunity for her to reveal this virtue is during the crucifixion of her Son, Jesus Christ. How would one feel if a mother who knows her son through and through as the epitome of goodness would be subjected to the extremest rejection ever?
But she was there, totally present for her Son, with such endurance that nobody else can sustain. We could only surmise what was in Mary's heart all along - this is for the salvation of the world and thus, she would also endure it as her Son endures it.
But notice the words of our Lord to her: Woman, there is your son (referring to John); Son, there is your mother. And John took her to his home. Jesus still calls for a lasting relationship that no other bond could take away. And Jesus called for the perfection of love in communio - a communion of mind and heart, not only for Mary and John, but for all of us Christians. Because is Jesus' suffering on the cross, the Church was built.
Pain is finally transformed into love. And wounds are healed. Love is built. The heavens were opened. And salvation is offered for all of us. All of these are because of Mary's love which is perfected in Christ.
How are we are one community or as a Church? It can only be this: if we like Mary be models of pardoning injuries with Jesus as our main model, then we shall surely experience the growth and the perfection of Church on the pilgrim way to God.
If Mary were to be the model of pardoning injuries, the best opportunity for her to reveal this virtue is during the crucifixion of her Son, Jesus Christ. How would one feel if a mother who knows her son through and through as the epitome of goodness would be subjected to the extremest rejection ever?
But she was there, totally present for her Son, with such endurance that nobody else can sustain. We could only surmise what was in Mary's heart all along - this is for the salvation of the world and thus, she would also endure it as her Son endures it.
But notice the words of our Lord to her: Woman, there is your son (referring to John); Son, there is your mother. And John took her to his home. Jesus still calls for a lasting relationship that no other bond could take away. And Jesus called for the perfection of love in communio - a communion of mind and heart, not only for Mary and John, but for all of us Christians. Because is Jesus' suffering on the cross, the Church was built.
Pain is finally transformed into love. And wounds are healed. Love is built. The heavens were opened. And salvation is offered for all of us. All of these are because of Mary's love which is perfected in Christ.
How are we are one community or as a Church? It can only be this: if we like Mary be models of pardoning injuries with Jesus as our main model, then we shall surely experience the growth and the perfection of Church on the pilgrim way to God.
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