Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-26
I heard a pretty amazing story last year about a 32 year old nursing school graduate. One of the things that made this graduation story stand out was the graduates heart. It didn't always belong to him. At 25 years old AJ Reyes needed a heart transplant. When Justin Knauer died tragically in a motorcycle accident AJ got a second chance. In attendance that day was the mother of AJ's heart, Mary Knauer. Over the years AJ and Mary have grown close and while she admits there will always be a hole in her life it was good to see her son's heart walk across the graduation stage.
Yesterday we celebrated Pentecost, today we celebrate Mary as the Mother of the Church. When Jesus spoke those words from the cross it was not a simple commandment to look after her. It was Jesus transplanting his ministry into His disciples. Can you imagine Mary's reaction when she saw the Holy Spirit come down to fill the followers of her Son with the courage to carry out His mission? As the Church we are called to courageously live the Gospel. And Mother Mary is with us, beaming with pride, as we carry the heart of Jesus to the world.
Lord transplant into us the heart of Jesus.
