Mary, Mother of Mercy, Pray for Us!

Why did we decide to give a month in this Year of Mercy to Mary?  Aren’t we focusing on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy?  Why dedicate August to her?  Aren’t October and May typically “Mary months” in the Catholic tradition?

You might be asking all of the questions above and even more!  Let me attempt to explain our rationale.  When we think of Mary as the Mother of Mercy, we need to remember that as the Mother of Jesus, she IS the Mother of Mercy.  .  Pope Francis, in his homily on January 1^st at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome remarked: “She is the Mother of Mercy, because she bore in her womb the very Face of divine Mercy, Jesus,…The Son of God, made incarnate for our salvation, has given us his Mother, who joins us on our pilgrimage through this life, so that we may never be left alone, especially in times of trouble and uncertainty.”  She brought to life the Son of God, Jesus, who  took the form of a human being so that we might know the mercy and love of God…He freed us from Sin and restored us to right relationship with God.

 

While Jesus is the Son of God, he learned much from the example of his mother.  When we look at Mary, we see a woman of deep faith and endless compassion.  She models for us what mercy should look like.  It is gentle, consoling, tender, strong, and convicted.  She manifests herself as Mother of Mercy by being, “health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comforter of the afflicted, and help of Christians.” The Gospels remind us of her merciful constancy and consistency; her desire to meet the needs of others, and her desire to share the Good News of God’s love at all times.

Why do we look to her in August of the Year of Mercy?  We find ourselves in the middle of Ordinary Time according to the liturgical calendar.  In our living we are in the hottest part of the summer, just before school begins again and the tempo of life changes again.  Most of our lives are lived in ordinary time.  It is easy for us to turn to Mary in Advent and Lent, and in October and May, but what about the ordinary days?  Is she not Mother of God and our mother all the time?  Then, why not turn to her for her intercession in the ordinary moments of life?

Mercy is not something that should be encountered and lived only during special times of the year.  Mercy is something for all time…and perhaps most importantly for the ordinary time of our lives…you know those times; when we are simply going about life; when one day leans into another.  Mercy is that gift that comes freely from the heart (mercy from the Latin, Misericordia:  misereri= pity; miseri= gift; cor=heart).  It is offered when it is needed, and it is received when it is needed, not only in those very trying times of life, but in the ordinary.

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are the ways through which we share in the heart of God and offer to each other the gifts needed to continue our journey in faith.  They are intended for us in all times because we find ourselves in need of Mercy at all times. 

Mary, Mother of Mercy, intercede for us that we may be merciful like the Father.  Amen!

Guest Blogger: 

Dr. Cheryl Fournier

SPX Staff