May and the Saints

Those who keep on attacking the Church regarding Mary and the Saints do not seem to understand the rationale behind the revered veneration. 

The honor rendered to Mary and the Saints is first and always because of Jesus and God.  Why?  This is because the honor we give them is for their being servants of God, carrying the law of the Lord in their hearts, and not for their own individual persons.  Jesus himself declared their ‘blessedness’ when He said, alluding to His own Mother as thoroughly attentive to the Father’s will, “Rather blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it” (Lk. 11:28).

Think about it, would we honor Mary and the Saints if they were not somehow connected with God, as faithful servants of the Lord?  If that is so, what’s all the useless fuss about?  There is nothing to argue about after all, and the call is there for us also to consider ourselves God's faithful servants.  Noteworthy to remember is St. Thomas Merton who exclaimed before his martyrdom, "I am the king's [loyal] servant, but God's first."

Giving is progress

"It is more blessed to give than to receive," Jesus says (Acts 20:35).  "In the measure and quality you give, the same shall come back to you overflowing" (Lk. 6:38).

This is the very secret of progress.  But look at where world economies set their footing, following the human philosophies which turn out to be oppressive structures of the Capitalist or Communist systems.  An age-old proverb says: 'Give the best to the world and the best shall come back to you.'

Simple enough is God's philosophy, which can neither deceive nor be mistaken.  Try them, that is the only requisite.  "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:9)

Truly rich

One could be confused why the Bible sometimes extolled poverty, sometimes riches.  “Blessed ye poor, yours is the kingdom of heaven” (Lk. 6:20).  “There is none who has left house, or wife, or children, or parents or brothers and sisters who will not receive a plentiful return in this age and life everlasting in the life to come” (Lk. 18:29).

So Jesus showed by example and word what He meant by being poor in spirit (Mt. 5:3) and being truly rich (Lk. 1:53).  If it is not clear, just think, Jesus—God, Creator, King of kings, owner of the whole world shows us what it is to be truly rich and free.  Being rich does not mean slavery to money, things, or any creature at all.  “It is the freedom of the sons and daughters of God” (Rom. 8:21).

Sources of evil

“From the heart originate evil desires, murder, hate, fornication, adultery” (Mt. 15:19).  Usually we tend to blame all on systems and structures, and certainly there are such.  But the very origin of evil is in the heart of man.  “Greed for money is the source of all evils” (1 Tim. 6:10).  Behind every system are greedy hearts that only make a tool of such system to perpetuate their men/women in power.

The solution?  Preach the truth, give the truth a chance.  “The truth shall set you free” (Jn. 8:32).  Most of all the truth means the life and teachings of Jesus.  Jesus first gave the example, and likewise taught by word of mouth what He had shown by action, because examples speak louder than words.

Mary Mediatrix

Mary’s intercessory role as channel of all graces coming from God has withstood the test of time and there are several Churches with the title of Mary Mediatrix of all grace as patroness.  The Philippines is also launching the Movement for the Dogmatic definition of Mary’s universal mediation of grace.

The litany of the Holy Rosary contains many titles of Our Lady such as Holy Mother of God, Mother of the Church, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Ark of the Covenant, Gate of heaven, Refuge of sinners, Seat of wisdom, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of Angels, Queen of Apostles, Queen of  Martyrs, Queen of Prophets, Queen of all Saints, Queen of Peace, etc.  This is not an impossibility because all we desire to say is that being the Mother of God, Mary merited these other titles.

God chose Mary from all eternity to be the Mother of His Beloved Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Source of grace, the divine Mediator  between God and Man.  God is the source, she is the channel, she the humble maid of Nazareth.  Jesus, the Son of God and Second Person of the One Triune God, in obedience to God the Father in the Redemption of humankind, deigned to become man by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mary, the Sorrowful Mother, accompanied our Redeemer at the very foot of the Cross.  There she was given to us as our mother.  Her motherhood brings to mind a familiar saying that goes: “The hand that rocks the cradle rocks the world.”  This shows the distinction and dignity of motherhood while we entrust our earthly journey into the maternal caring hands of Mary Mediatrix, Spouse of the Holy Spirit.