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January 1, 2022Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. There is a Greek term for this title for the Blessed Mother that calls her “Theotókos,” literally translated as “God bearer” which recognizes and honors Mary as the Mother of God – Jesus’ mother. Historically speaking, this came from a great controversy in the Fifth Century. In the year 431 AD, the Council of Ephesus bestowed this title, Theotókos, upon the Blessed Mother calling attention not only to Mary but more so to her son Jesus, who has both a Divine and a Human nature.
And, of course, we could be satisfied to stop there with merely the historical and theological facts, but I think this feast bears a far more important spiritual significance. Mary is the Mother of Jesus – the Mother of God – but she is also our mother. Hanging on the cross during his crucifixion, Jesus entrusted his mother to John the beloved disciple, and entrusted his friend to his mother, saying “Woman, behold your son” (John 19:26). In doing this, Jesus did not just entrust the Apostle John to the Blessed Mother, but rather Jesus entrusted all of us to her. Just as Mary is the Mother of God, she is also our mother. She cares for us, nurtures us, and supports us just as she did the Lord.
When the Shepherds came into the manger to behold the Lord, the blessed Mother did not shoo them away. Rather she welcomed them in, she listened to them, she pondered and reflected these things in her heart. As our mother, she does the same. With us, just as lowly as the Shepherds, she receives us with joy, and shows us the Lord. And she keeps our burdens, our troubles, and our sorrows in her heart. Mary is our mother.
