I welcome you to this year’s edition of the study of Sacred Scriptures & Tradition in the light of the Rosary Month. Last year ended with the reflection on “Be merciful as the Father is merciful vis-à-vis Mary, Mother of Mercy”.
As a way of reminder....
Mercy consist in feeling compassion for the misery of others and in acting to alleviate it.
The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily (corporal) necessities. This is what God desires and it is His very nature. (CCC #2447) Here, we see the seven Spiritual works and seven Corporal works of mercy at play. I hope you can enumerate them...
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.
Some of the instances we can identify Mary as Merciful are;
1. Mary did not hesitate to agree to help save her suffering people. ( cf. Luke 1:26-38)
2. 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. (cf. Luke 1:39-45)
3. 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. (cf. John 2:1-11)
4. 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. (cf. John 19:17- 37)
5. 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. (cf. Acts 1:14)
She sits in the midst of the Church, remembering, interceding and encouraging her Son's followers. As we join her in praising God, may we also become merciful.
To Be Continued…
Mary, Mother of Mercy, Pray for us!!
Complied By:
Eric K. Dagbui
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