Since we are all children of Mary, mother of the members of Christ, she is always ready to listen to our prayers and prays to bring about our life in God (1 John 4:9). We are Christians through the "yes" of this woman who is model for our "yes." As mother, Mary stands on the doorstep waiting to receive all those who need hope and encouragement to return to their Father's loving embrace. Blessed Alberione even regarded Mary as a priest, "Who prepared the host and was the first to offer Jesus at the foot of the cross. She was redeemed by her son, beloved daughter of the Father and spouse of the Spirit. "
St. Augustine said: "Now, beloved, give me you whole attention, for you also are members of Christ; you also are the body of Christ. Consider how you yourselves can be among those of whom the Lord said: Here are my mother and my brothers. Do you wonder how you can be the mother of Christ? He himself said: Whoever hears and fulfills the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and my sister and my mother. As for our being the brothers and sisters of Christ, we can understand this because although there is only one inheritance and Christ is the only Son, his mercy would not allow him to remain alone. It was his wish that we too should be heirs of the Father, and co-heirs with himself."
"Having said that all of you are brothers of Christ, shall I not dare to call you his mother? Much less would I dare to deny his words. Tell me how Mary became the mother of Christ, if it was not by giving birth to the members of Christ? You, to whom I am speaking, are the members of Christ. Now you in your turn must draw to the font of baptism as many as you possibly can. You became sons when you were born there yourselves, and now by bringing others to birth in the same way, you have it in your power to become the mothers of Christ" (St. Augustine, Sermo 25, 7-8: PL 46, 937-938).
Mary's response to the angel's annunciation was an act of trust and faith in the Word of God that brought about the greatest prodigy, the Word made flesh, Jesus our Savior and we as members of His body, the church (Cf Alberione; Mary, Queen of Apostles p21).
Prayer:
Receive me, Mary, Mother, Teacher and Queen,
among those whom you love, nourish, sanctify and guide
in the school of Jesus Christ.
Jesus entrusted himself to you from the incarnation to the ascension.
I too place myself entirely into your hands.
Obtain for me the grace to know, imitate and love every more
the Divine Master, Way, Truth and Life.
Present me to Jesus, for I am an unworthy sinner.
Enlighten my mind, fortify my will, sanctify my heart
so that I may profit from this great mercy and may say:
"It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."
(Blessed James Alberione, SSP)
