HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
THEME: MARY OUR MOTHER AND COMPANION.
BY: Fr. Karabari Paul
HOMILY FOR MONDAY JUNE 6 2022
‘Woman, here is your son’ (John 19:26).
Eve wasn’t just going to be a companion to Adam; she was going to be a starting source for all generations of the earth (Gen.1:28). This was an uncommon conferment of honour. However, a poison of some sort was introduced by the sin of Adam and Eve. And they lost their friendship with God.
Remarkably, in the short conversation between the First Parents and God (Gen.3:9-15;20), the word ‘woman’, a generic term for motherhood, is used for Eve showing her as the source of future generations but with a role prophetically shifted to a new Eve.
In the Gospel of today (John 19:25-34), two significant things are shown. 1). Jesus used the same generic term ‘woman’ used in Genesis, for Mary. 2). The personal name of the Disciple of Jesus is hidden, and he is referred to as the Beloved. By implications, Mary assumed the new role of a new Eve; becoming the singular mother for all generations reborn through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Beloved disciple had to represent all the new born in Christ who accept and keep the commandments of God (John 14:21). These new born are all the beloved of the Father. They are the adopted sons and daughters of Christ. They are members of the Militant Church. Thus, Mary is so revered and honoured as one who has the care of the children of God; the beloved of the Father. Through the travail of the death of her Son, Mary, the symbol of Zion (Isa 49:20-22; 54:1; 66:7-11), brings forth the new community of Jesus. Mary is thus the new Eve, ‘the mother of all the living (Gen. 3:20), and the Mother of the Church.
The Bible says, ‘the beloved disciple took Mary into his own home’ (John 19:27). As the beloved of the Father, Mary must be our companion; taken home into our relationships, marriages, careers and other affairs of life. Have you taken Mary home? GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our country Nigeria, bless and protect us all through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning
Fr. Karabari Paul