Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Published: May 21, 2018

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor preached the following homily at St. Edward Church in Little Rock on Monday, May 21, 2018.

Bishop Taylor

A week ago we celebrated Mother’s Day. I for one recalled not only my own mother’s self-sacrificing love, but also her protection of me, especially as a child. Looking back at it, I am amazed and humbled by all the sacrifices she made so that I and my six brothers and sisters could have a great future.

She was a source of strength for me in moments when I felt weak and in moments when I needed guidance about what to do next. She also went to bat for me, including sometimes when I didn’t deserve it. Similarly, since Mother’s Day fell on the feast of the Ascension of the Lord this year, I recalled that even as Jesus left us to return to heaven, he reassured us that he would remain with us until the end of time — to protect us and guide us.

And I recall the far greater sacrifices he made so that I could have an eternal future. And he would remain present to me — and us — as we face the challenges of life in three special ways:

1. First of all, Jesus promises that he would remain present to us in worship, especially through the sacrament of his sacrificial love for us, the sacrament of his body and blood received in the Eucharist, and indeed whenever two or three are gathered in his name to pray;

2. Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit from whom we would receive especially seven gifts to guide us when facing challenges and difficulties: the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. These gifts were poured out on the Church on Pentecost — yesterday — and received by each of us personally the day of our confirmation, our own personal Pentecost;

3. Jesus gave us his mother to be our mother, as we heard in today’s Gospel. These were some of the very last words Jesus spoke hanging there on the cross, pouring himself out completely in love for us and for our salvation. Today is the first time we have ever celebrated today’s brand new memorial of Mary the Mother of the Church, which was just added to our liturgical calendar on Feb. 11 of this year. Isn’t the Lord wonderful in reminding us of Mary’s maternal care for us as we gather today for this very important meeting about the future of St. Edward School?

Yesterday the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and empowered them to go forth and proclaim the Kingdom of God … and thus the Church was born. Today, Jesus entrusts his Church to the care of his mother.

The disciples had been full of fear, locked in that upper room, directionless and fretful. Jesus was gone and they could see no path forward. But now they step out, full of hope, and from that day forward the world would never be the same again.

And isn’t that our story too? Now is a time for us to set aside our fears and our fretfulness and embrace the path the Lord is opening up for us. As always, following the Lord will require some sacrifices, as we shall see, but also bear lasting fruit.

As the Blessed Mother declares so eloquently: “God who is mighty has done — and will continue to do — great things for us!” And holy is his name!