THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY.
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6: 36).
Thursday 12th September 2024, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.
Almost back to back on the celebration of the Birthday of Mary (September 8th) is the feast of her Most Holy Name. The Church in her teaching authority interpretes for us the role of Mary in the economy of salvation. Here is what the Church teaches about the feast of today, the Most Holy Name of Mary:
"God the Father is glorified by the exalted role in salvation of the Blessed Virgin Mary." Thus her name is a name of honor, to be venerated and called upon with filial trust and devotion." (Roman Missal).
What the Saints say about the Most Holy Name of Mary:
1. “The invocation of the sacred names of Jesus and Mary is a short prayer which is as sweet to the mind, and as powerful to protect those who use it against the enemies of their salvation, as it is easy to remember.” (Thomas à Kempis).
2. “In every danger of forfeiting divine grace, we should think of Mary, and invoke her name, together with that of Jesus; for these two names always go together." (St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church).
A great way to do this is a quick Hail Mary.
3. “Blessed is the man who loves thy name, O Mary. Yes, truly blessed is he who loves thy sweet name, O Mother of God! For thy name is so glorious and admirable, that no one who remembers it has any fears at the hour of death.” (St Bonaventure, OFM Bishop and Doctor of the Church).
Our Daily Bible Verse for the day is from the Gospel of Luke 6: 27 - 38. How can we be merciful as the Father is merciful?
What is mercy? The dictionary defines mercy as: "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm." In other words, mercy is a gratuitous forgiveness of an offense where the offender is rightly waiting the hammer to strike.
God's mercy is called Hesed /Chesed in the Bible. Completely unmerited favor flowing from the powerful and merciful Providence of God.
In my opinion, one of the greatest example of mercy in the Gospels is in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. The servant owes his master millions of dollars which he could never repay. His master would sell his entire family and all his possessions, put him into slave work for the rest of his life to recover a tiny portion of his debt. Then the miracle happened. He was forgiven everything by his master. The servant did not forgive his fellow servant who owed him a tiny amount.
"You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’" (Matthew 18: 32 - 33).
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6: 36). Jesus teaches us that the merciful Heart of God is unfathomable. Like a bottomless ocean. There are many examples of this in the Old Testament. Covenant after Covenant was shredded by His ungrateful People. Yet when they suffer the consequences of their sins, one cry to God and He is at their side, forgiving them all and ready to start all over again.
Divine Mercy Devotion is Jesus' gift to the Church. Jesus revealed His intention through St Maria Faustina. He desires that no man should be ignorant of the infinite mercy of God. The heart of the Devotion is as simple as ABC and is summarized by the ABC of Mercy:
A: Ask for Mercy.
B: Be Merciful.
C: Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.
The ABC of Mercy is how we can be merciful as our Father is merciful.
"Above all, I renew for you the words I uttered for Saint John from the Cross: “Behold your Mother.” Live in her presence. Honour her at every occasion and in every way possible. Every time you show love and devotion to My most holy Mother, you honour the words I spoke from the Cross, and you put them into practice. “Behold your Mother.” She desires nothing more than to look after you, just as if you were her only son. Her attention for you is not divided, nor is it in any way impaired by the attention she gives to the vast multitude of her children through the ages. Trust in her care for you. Pray her Rosary. Honour her as you have been doing." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 31, 2008).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
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