A 3rd Sunday after Pentecost Thought About Our Blessed Mother

Continuing from last week's thoughts to another thought about our Blessed Mother on this 3rd Sunday after Pentecost.

The focus now shifts to our dependence on her. Father Leen goes so far as to compare it to the dependence of the unborn child on its mother. And, as you know, that's complete, total dependence. And so Father says is our own dependence on Mary, our Blessed Mother.

This is strong stuff, and may seem a bit exaggerated at first blush. But give it a good read or two and you'll see the comparison is apt. Perhaps recall, that our spiritual life depends on the grace we receive from God. We can accomplish nothing on our own. We all know that, right? Then consider that all graces flow through the intercession of Mary. The traditional title given her is Mediatrix. She mediates between us and her Son Jesus. This concept is one that goes back centuries as our Catholic forbears meditated on the relationship between Jesus and Mary, between us and Jesus, between us and Mary.

And then there's the connection to Mary and John at the foot of the Cross. Jesus "gives" Mary to John as his mother. And we are taught that in that moment, she is given to us as mother as well.

Well, it's always dicey to speak of these things without formal theological grounding, but this really should be common knowledge and understanding for any Catholic - at least it once was.

In any case, wherever you stand in your theological knowledge, no matter that perhaps your Catholic education might have been a bit lacking if you're younger or if you've simply forgotten what you were once taught, give Father Leen some time on this 3rd Sunday after Pentecost and see if you can see his point here.  

“How greatly then, are we dependent on our good Mother. How essential to our happiness is her motherly care. Our dependence on Mary is perfectly illustrated by the dependence of a child on its mother; not the child who has seen the light of day, but the little infant yet unborn. The reason for the choice of this illustration is evident. The little infant is absolutely dependent on its mother. We too, whatever may be the degree of sanctity which we have reached, are completely dependent on Mary. At each moment Mary is essential to us. We can do nothing without grace, and it is through Mary, that every grace comes to us. We cannot, therefore, at any moment, no matter how holy we may be, be without Mary’s care. Her motherly care is ceaselessly active. We are the very infants of the most holy Virgin, and our lips ought to address her as ‘Mamma’ rather than Mother. This childlike title has nothing about it of the puerile or the affected. It shows in its own way, and perhaps in the fullest way, this incontestable truth – the fact of our littleness, of our utter dependence as infants and of Mary’s preparation by God that in her ceaseless solicitude as Mother, she might answer our need. This attitude of spiritual infancy towards our good Mother is not a pious excess, but it expresses simply our very real condition. It clarifies and makes easier our relations with God, Our Father. Led, so to speak, by the hand of Mary, we are brought with Jesus, and in Jesus, Our Brother, to the true home of the family of the Blessed Trinity.” (Fr. Edward Leen, C.S.Sp.)

While this comparison - especially the calling of Mary "Mama" may seem a bit extreme at first, perhaps it is just the antidote we need for our typically self-centered carrying on that takes up so much of our thoughts and feelings - that is for those of us who are far from being saints. Take it as strong medicine to cure us of all that. 

And while being self-reliant and not dependent on others for our material needs isn't all bad, it's certainly not something we should strive for in our spiritual life. Quite the opposite in fact. 

Happy 3rd Sunday after Pentecost!