Heart Divine

Today’s Gospel Text: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt 11:28-30

Reflection: The Catholic zeal to venerate Mary the mother of Jesus has often in way rendered Jesus in a poor light at our ordinary day to day level. 

Any deviation on Mary often makes issues so sensitive that it is at times even difficult to even discuss Mary in any way, in proper perspective.

It is like the situation of the few Jews who sometimes found it difficult to accept anything that limited Abraham.

As children, we were told by our parents that we pray to the blessed Mother because Jesus gets angry with our sins and so we have to go through Mary.

I would say that this is a issue of the kingdom of God dynamics; the one who has looked at the low esteem of his servant (Luke 1:48a) has exalted her and given her a status a position that is even above him, when he chose to be born under her power and rule. 

“For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” Luke 1:48b

But this honor to the Blessed Mary, the Mother of God and our mother through our savior, should in no way take away what is due to God and to Jesus.

In fact the honor due to Mary only exalts God who can come to such humble level of submission to us mere humans, especially if we show him the perfect obedience as Mary once rendered at the time of the Annunciation. 

We see the salvific action of Jesus as only an extension of this meek and humble step which he first took in his incarnation through Mary; this meek and humble action of Jesus involves a submission, in perfect service, to men and women of all ages in order to lead them closer to God.

Because he, the Lord, is gentle and lowly in heart, he continues to attract people of all ages and of all times and so too his holy servants do the same, beginning with Mary.

Prayer:  Lord, let me know the depth of the love that abides in your heart for me and for all creation for whose sake you even suffered and died.

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