Most Holy Name of Mary

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Today we commemorate the Holy Name of Mary, a feast that was created by Pope Innocent XI in 1684 to commemorate the Battle of Vienna in 1683. During the liturgical reform of Vatican II, it was removed from the general calendar but later restored by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Mary has always been held in high honor in our Catholic understanding of God’s salvation for mankind. It is through her “fiat” or “yes” that Jesus was to come into the world through her, thus making her the Mother of God, since Jesus is true God and true Man. Her whole life was centered in her devotion to God and her awaiting the coming of the Savior that all devoted Jewish people were waiting for. So, when the Angel Gabriel came to ask her to be the mother of the savior, she at first was hesitant. She couldn’t understand how that would come to be since she was not yet living with Joseph as his wife. When the Angel further explained that it was to be through the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary quickly said yes, thus ensuring our salvation.

The example of her life and her humility in following God’s plan for salvation is something that we can emulate for ourselves. Though she knew she was going to have problems in being the mother of the Lord, she never hesitated in saying yes to God. She humbly embraced her role that God had laid out for her as Mother of Jesus. We all have our call from God to bring Christ into the world in our own situations. We are called to bring Christ into our family relationships, in our friendships, or among those we may work with at our jobs. We humbly bring Christ into each situation we face each day.

We hear in today’s gospel about Mary’s visitation to her elderly cousin Elizabeth during her time of need. At this point Elizabeth was already 6 months pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary came to be of service to Elizabeth to help her through what probably was a very difficult time for the elderly Elizabeth.

Elizabeth recognized the greatness of Mary and the fact that Mary was carrying the Messiah in her womb. Once Mary arrived, we hear Elizabeth say, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” These are words that we, as Catholics, say each time we pray the Hail Mary. Elizbeth and John in her womb recognized the holiness of Mary and the fact that Mary was carrying the Mesiah in womb.

Mary’s response was "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior." Let all of us each day, with Mary, always keep the Lord in the center of who we are. Let always proclaim the greatness of the Lord and rejoice in the fact that God is our savior.