Christ is the Mediator, Christ is the bridge that we cross to turn to the Father (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2674). He is the only Redeemer: there are no co-redeemers with Christ. He is the only one. He is the Mediator par excellence. He is the Mediator. Each prayer we raise to God is through Christ, with Christ and in Christ and it is fulfilled thanks to his intercession. The Holy Spirit extends Christ’s mediation through every time and every place: there is no other name by which we can be saved: Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and humanity (see Acts 4:12).
. . .
Jesus extended Mary’s maternity to the entire Church when He entrusted her to his beloved disciple shortly before dying on the cross. From that moment on, we have all been gathered under her mantle, as depicted in certain medieval frescoes or paintings. Even the first Latin antiphon – sub tuum praesidium confugimus, sancta Dei Genitrix: the Madonna who ‘covers’, like a Mother, to whom Jesus entrusted us, all of us; but as a Mother, not as a goddess, not as co-redeemer: as Mother. It is true that Christian piety has always given her beautiful titles, as a child gives his or her mamma: how many beautiful things children say about their mamma whom they love so much! How many beautiful things. But we need to be careful: the things the Church, the Saints, say about her, beautiful things, about Mary, subtract nothing from Christ’s sole Redemption. He is the only Redeemer. They are expressions of love like a child for his or her mamma – some are exaggerated. But love, as we know, always makes us exaggerate things, but out of love.
7 comments:
Rev. Weedon:
Initially, it seems the pope is adopting a different definition and concept of love than that conveyed by Scripture. It seems to be more of a worldly view of it.
But I also wonder about the connection he is making between the titles given to Mary and the exaggerated expressions of love. I have some rudimentary understanding of the origin and purpose of the title "Mother of God" given to Mary, which was to affirm the natures of Christ, not to provide Mary with any authority (hope that is correct). I've heard the title "Mother of the Church" before, but do not understand the history, reasons, and basis for the title.
Similar to the observation you make, I recently saw a "prayer card" from a charity run by a Roman priest with an archbishop board member that was a prayer to Mary that included petitions to "strengthen [your children of the Church] in their trials", "[a]ssist them with your maternal care", and "[k]eep us all under your protective veil. Amen." In this case, Mary is the protective mother hen. So there is this sense of taking the title and unlike the title Mother of God, it is used to say something more about Mary than ascribing to Mary certain authority on that basis.
Francis says, "Jesus extended Mary’s maternity to the entire Church when He entrusted her to his beloved disciple shortly before dying on the cross." How is entrusting Mary to his beloved disciple showing that the disciple is in the place of the entire Church? And does this also mean it comes with some sort of special office and authority in the Church? Is it also a natural extension of being the Mother of God, and since Jesus is the head of the Church, Mary is the mother of the head of the Church, and so she is the Mother of the Church? Or that through Christ we've been adopted as children of God, and in some sense Mary is our adoptive mother?
Thanks,
Justin
Justin,
My take, for what it’s worth:
1. I agree that the concept of love he’s using here is in tension with the Scripture and “exaggeration” to me was the key to that: “speaking THE TRUTH in love.”
2. Mother of God isn’t an exaggerated expression but the clear Scriptural teaching: She gives birth to the Eternal Word, who is God With Us, and also a definitive dogma of the Church.
3. That’s the kind of prayer to Mary that I find objectionable and over the line. My usual quip is that in heaven Mary hands the mail to Jesus and says: This got addressed to me, but it’s really for you.
4. The point about Mary as Mother of the Church is common place across history and from understanding that at the cross the “beloved disciple” is not just John but that John is there for us all, who are all being loved in this way by the Son of God. And if Jesus gives us everything that is His as ours and makes us coheirs with Him, then His Father becomes our Father; His home becomes our home; His mother becomes our mother. I think that honoring and loving Mary as the Mother of God the Word, our Brother, is sound.
P.S. And better even than honoring her as Mother of the Word is to imitate her in her treasuring and pondering His words in heart. “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!”
Pastor,
I have greatly benefited from your posts in regard to Mary throughout the years--especially upon entering communion with the Lutheran Church from Catholicism. Wrestling with that topic was a major aspect in the journey away from Rome. I greatly treasured the honor that the Catholic Church holds for Mary and was troubled by the "squirminess" (for lack of a better word coming to mind) modern-day Lutherans have with her.
Of course...I had terribly wrong understandings as well in my youth...during my High School baseball days I used to say a Hail Mary in between every pitch before stepping back in the batter's box--thanks be to God that the error in such a practice was revealed to me!
All that being said, your wisdom and writings have been very helpful throughout the years as I have continued to think about this topic. It seems that Scripture sets Mary before us not to worship her, pray to her, etc., but to love her. And through loving her Son we rejoice in what God has done through her. Like your reference to mail being sent to the wrong address, Mary is always pointing to Jesus, directing our attention to Him.
Pax Christi,
Ian
Dear Ian,
First, thanks so much for the kind words. And second, YES especially to your last paragraph!!!
Thanks for the response Rev. Weedon!
Justin,
You are most welcome! Pax!
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