MISERICORDIAE SICUT PATER ; MARIA, MATER MISERICORDIAE
As we bring the October Rosary to a close, it must be understood as not a complete stoppage in praying the Rosary. Rather we turn our focus to another aspect of the Church's life and mission. However, remember that the praying of the rosary is timeless. Pray the Rosary at all times, I encourage you.
The extraordinary year of mercy is gradually coming to an end. We are all expected to reflect and radiate the life of the merciful Father as stated “Be merciful like the Father” (Ref Luke 6:36) and also, “there will be judgement without mercy for those who have not being merciful themselves”. (Ref James 2:13)
Mercy consist in feeling compassion for the misery of others and in acting to alleviate it. Misery may refer to any evil whether physical or moral. In the history of Salvation, the protagonists on the Human side are Adam and Eve together with all their descendants. On the Divine side, the protagonists are Christ, who is Mercy and Mary, who is the Mother of Mercy.
Although there is no specific Scriptures text naming Mary as Mother of Mercy or Queen of Mercy, there are several texts that form the basis for this. Mother of Mercy means either the mother of the Merciful One or a Merciful Mother towards all her children in the world. As Queen of Mercy, it is to be understood as the kindness, generosity and the dignity of the Blessed Virgin, who from her place in heaven fulfils the role of Queen Esther (Ref Esther 4:17). She never ceases praying to her Son for the salvation of her people as they confidently fly to her refuge in their trials and dangers.
Let us journey once more through the Scriptures to identify the various instances we can identify Mary as Merciful.
The first text is that of Annunciation (Ref. Luke 1:26-38), which gives Mary’s gracious consent to become the Mother of the Son of God, who will save his people from their sins. After the error of our first parents, the whole world was shrouded in darkness, under the dominion of death. Now God enters the world anew. He knocks at the door of Mary. He needs human freedom. Mary did not hesitate to agree to help save her suffering people.
The second text is that of Visitation (Ref. Luke 1:39-45), which sets forth Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth immediately after the Annunciation. Although aware that she herself is with a child, Mary does not hesitate to go to the aid of Elizabeth, her aged cousin. From Nazareth to Ain Karim, she joined a caravan to Jerusalem; walking twenty miles a day and from Jerusalem to Ain Karim is five miles. That is not all, She remained and served her cousin for three months. Mary’s haste is her compassion and love for her cousin in her time of difficulty and her desire to be of help. Imagine a pregnant lady travelling twenty-five (25) miles just to visit a relative.
The third instance of her great compassion is that of the Marriage Feast of Cana (Ref John 2:1-11). Jesus goes with his disciples to a marriage feast and Mary is also there. Mary became aware of the wine running out. In Judaism, Wine form an essential aspect of the celebration. Mary takes compassion on the couples and immediately brings the lack of wine to her Son’s attention. She knows even if the time has not come, Jesus has to save the shame that will come to the marriage feast. She concludes by saying “Do whatever He tells you” (Ref. John 2:5)
The fourth instance is that of the Crucifixion, which states that Mary is standing valiantly near the Cross on which her Son is dying a slow and extremely painful death (Ref John 19:1). None of the gospels describes the scourging before the crucifixion in details. Because a Roman scourging was too horrible to dwell on. Mary’s love and compassion committed her to stand by her Son through this darkest valley and she offers herself with him for the life of the world.
Lastly, I have not seen anyone more Charismatic than Mother Mary in the New Testament. After the Ascension of her Son into heaven, Mary’s compassion for the disciples in this time of fear and dread in the absence of their Master leads her to remain in continues prayer with them. She prayed with the disciples gathered in the upper room as they experience the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (Ref Acts 1:14, 2:1-4). Let Mary teach you how to pray invoking the Holy Spirit.
It is this compassion of Mary that led Christians to call her the “Mother of Mercy”. We should never forget that the mercy she dispenses is from God, and thus we should praise the Truine God for his overflowing goodness to us in our miseries.
The journey through the month has not being easy but Mary made it possible for me to journey with you sharing a piece of her interior life with the Son. A hope you have added some knowledge to the one you already have about Joseph, Jesus and Mary.
Thank you for sharing these reflections.
May Our Mother always continue to intercede for us before the Son.
Our Lady, Perpetual Helper of Christians …..Pray for us!!!
Compiled by :
Eric K. Dagbui
@2016
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