Reflection 4: “Mary and the Church’s pilgrimage of Faith”
Encyclical Redemptoris Mater “Mother of the Redeemer”
Encyclical Reflection 2
Why we, as Church, need to look to Mary
Redemptoris Mater, 27
“Now, at the first dawn of the Church at Pentecost, Mary was with all those who were the seed of the “new Israel.” It is precisely Mary’s faith which marks the beginning of the new and eternal Covenant of God with man in Jesus Christ; All those who accept the apostolic witness of the Church share in that mysterious inheritance, and in a sense share in Mary’s faith. And it is precisely this lively sharing in Mary’s faith that determines her special place in the Church’s pilgrimage as the new People of God throughout the earth.”
Personal Reflection
The Church’s pilgrimage. With Mary’s lead, we are on a pilgrimage toward a deeper encounter of God. Do you consider your faith a ‘pilgrimage’?
Pray: Mary, show me your path of pilgrimage so I may ‘share in that mysterious inheritance’ you have in Christ. Help me to encourage others along the same pilgrimage.