Behold, your mother.
John 19:27
THE VIRGIN MARY: MOTHER OF GOD, AND OUR MOTHER
We have a tender and loving mother in heaven, who watches over us and helps lead us to a close union with her Son. Jesus gave his mother to us:
Then [Jesus] said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19:27)
“The disciple” in this passage is “whoever does the will of [the] heavenly Father” (Matthew 12:50). Jesus commands us to lovingly take Mary as our own mother. Catholics do not worship Mary; we honor and love her as she deserves to be honored and loved for her essential role in the salvation of man and for being a perfect example of living in God’s will. Loving Mary as our mother and asking for her prayers magnifies our love for God.
From the deposit of faith Jesus Christ gave the Church, we know that Mary is the Mother of God, was a virgin throughout her whole life (perpetual virginity), was conceived without sin (Immaculate Conception), was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life (the Assumption), and is the Mother of the Church.
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
The communion of saints consists of the whole body of the Catholic Church, with Christ as the head. This includes faithful people on earth (the Church militant), in purgatory (the Church suffering), and in heaven (the Church triumphant). The support system of the communion of saints is invaluable in uniting us with God.
We have wonderful friends and allies in heaven, with the Virgin Mary being the most honored. These men and women have reached perfection—living in the presence of God and beholding his face—and they want nothing more than to help us achieve the same perfection. They love us and desire that we join them in heaven. Therefore it is important to ask for their prayers, as they are powerful intercessors on our behalf. God wants his people to help each other. He offers us the example of his children who have already completed their pilgrimage and are now home with him.
We are also called to pray for the souls still in purgatory. These are the departed who are in a final state of sanctification before entering the blessedness of heaven. (See more about purgatory in chapter 7, “Some Challenging Topics.”) The Lord desires that his people “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). We pray that these souls may enter the presence of God quickly. They are aware of our prayers for them and can offer prayers for us.
The most important thing in life is to love God and our neighbor with all our hearts (see Matthew 22:36-40). Helping ourselves and others reach God is the whole point of our existence. And this goal is possible by the graces God gives us through the sacraments, the spiritual gifts he gives us, our prayers, and the prayers of the faithful on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven. We are meant to be one big, loving and happy family, following God in all that we do.
ANGELS
Angels are real, and they are deeply involved in our daily lives (see CCC, 328-336). God created angels as pure spirits; they do not have material bodies as we do. He gave them free will and superior intelligence. Some angels proved faithful to God; others did not.
The angels who, through pride and envy, chose to revolt against God have permanently separated themselves from him. Fallen angels are referred to as demons, with Satan as their leader. Fallen angels try to tempt us into sin and to keep us as far away from God as possible.
The faithful angels are powerful messengers of God and allies for us in our struggle against evil. God gave each of us a guardian angel to guide and protect us throughout our earthly pilgrimage toward God and eternal life. We should take the time to thank our guardian angel daily!
Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel are mentioned in Scripture as three of the archangels. God uses them for grand purposes: Michael contends against evil (see Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7); Raphael brings healing (see Tobit); and Gabriel announces the good news of God’s salvation (see Daniel 9—10; Luke 1:11-38).
SUGGESTED READING
- Angels of God: The Bible, the Church and the Heavenly Hosts, Mike Aquilina.
- Behold Your Mother: A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines, Tim Staples.
- Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God, Scott Hahn.
- Saints: A Closer Look, Fr. Thomas Dubay, SM.
- Voices of the Saints: A Year of Readings, Bert Ghezzi.
- The World’s First Love: Mary, Mother of God, Abp. Fulton Sheen.
This page is taken from the book, A Miracle Awaits: Encountering Christ In His Church by Carol Dintelman, which is available for purchase in print or digital formats here.
Or read the full book online! Click to visit the contents page, endorsements, copyright, acknowledgments, and notes.