Reflection 4: “Mary and the Church’s pilgrimage of Faith”
Encyclical Redemptoris Mater “Mother of the Redeemer”
Encyclical Reflection 3
Mary guides the apostolic work of the Church.
Redemptoris Mater, 28
“Hence when she is being preached and venerated, she summons the faithful to her Son and his sacrifice, and to love for the Father.”64 For this reason, Mary’s faith, according to the Church’s apostolic witness, in some way continues to become the faith of the pilgrim People of God: the faith of individuals and communities, of places and gatherings, and of the various groups existing in the Church. It is a faith that is passed on simultaneously through both the mind and the heart. It is gained or regained continually through prayer. Therefore, “the Church in her apostolic work also rightly looks to her who brought forth Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin, so that through the Church Christ may be born and increase in the hearts of the faithful also.”
Personal Response
Mary’s ‘faith’ is very crucial for your life as a disciple in the mission of the Church. If we are to answer our call of apostolic work as ‘Church’, Mary’s faith should be reflected in our daily lives.
Pray: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, guide me in the ‘works of your Son’ so my life today may reflect your faith so I may lead others to Him in the mission of the Church.