Today marks the newly decreed Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. For Catholics, seeing Mary as mother is about as natural as making the sign of the cross. It is ingrained. Mary is Jesus’ mother, after all; the Blessed Mother. However, how often do we stop and think of Mary as our mother, personally? What does this revelation mean for us as Christians right here and now?

Several years ago I was given the chance to go on pilgrimage to Mexico City, specifically to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The mystery of the tilma and Mary’s appearance to Saint Juan Diego enthralled me, and still does. As I continue to process this event, as well as other recorded Marian apparitions, today’s gospel sheds new light for me on how Mary chooses to relate to us as our Mother. Among Jesus’ last words when death was near were “Behold, your mother.” With this command, Jesus plants in us the seeds of this eternal relationship with His mother as her children, as members of the mystical body of Christ - the Church. As mother, Mary has born pain and sacrificed. As mother, she serves as guide, protector, advocate, nurturer, and so much more. With this in mind, how can I offer Mary anything but my deepest devotion? How else can I approach her but with the utmost piety? What does it mean to do so?