Episode 2152: Embracing the Mother of God

We explore the richness of Catholic teaching and tradition. Today’s episode is dedicated to the profound role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our lives, drawing on the wisdom of saints, scripture, and Catholic thinkers. We’ll be reflecting on three quotes that illuminate Mary's unique place in salvation history and our personal spiritual journeys.
The Morning Star - St. John Fisher's Reflection
"The blessed lady, Mother of our Savior, may well be called a morning, since before her there was none without sin. After her, the most clear sun Christ Jesus showed his light to the world." — St. John Fisher
St. John Fisher, a martyr and saint, lived during the tumultuous period of the English Reformation. His deep Marian devotion shines through in this quote. He compares Mary to the morning, signifying a new dawn of grace and purity. Before Mary, the world had known the darkness of sin. Her immaculate conception marked the beginning of a new era, free from original sin, setting the stage for the coming of Christ, the "most clear sun."
From a traditional Catholic perspective, Mary’s sinlessness is pivotal. It underscores her unique role in God’s salvific plan, preparing her to be the Mother of God. This dawn, free from the stain of sin, illuminates our understanding of Mary as a beacon of hope and purity, heralding the coming of Jesus, who brings the light of salvation to the world.
The Gift of Mary
"In the throes of pains too excruciating to wrap our minds around, Jesus revealed a most precious gift offered for all of us: his mother. Among His seven last words, or phrases, Jesus said to St. John the Beloved, 'Behold, your mother!' (Jn 19:27). Scripture says that from that hour on, John took Mary 'to his own home.' Pope Benedict XVI said that the Greek translation of the phrase 'to his own home' is far deeper and richer than the English. He writes, 'We could translate it: he took Mary into his inner life, his inner being...into the depths of his being. To take Mary with one means to introduce her to the dynamism of one's own entire existence. It is not something external.' John served as a symbol for the rest of us. Like him, we are given the gift of a true spiritual mother, one who can mold the very depths of our being and transform us. As a trusted mother, she always points us to her Son."
Gress and Mering highlight the profound moment at the foot of the Cross where Jesus, in His agony, entrusted Mary to John, and by extension, to all of us. This act was not merely a provision for Mary’s earthly needs but a spiritual bequest of motherhood to all humanity.
Pope Benedict XVI’s insight into the Greek translation reveals the depth of this gesture. John’s acceptance of Mary goes beyond physical shelter it signifies welcoming her into the core of his being. For us, this means allowing Mary to influence and shape our spiritual lives deeply.
As traditional Catholics, we are called to embrace Mary not just as a figure in religious art or prayers, but as an active presence in our spiritual journey. She guides us, nurtures us, and leads us closer to her Son, Jesus. By inviting Mary into our hearts, we allow her maternal love to transform us, bringing us into greater conformity with Christ.

Trust and Humility
"So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you." — 1 Peter 5:6-7
In this passage from 1 Peter, we are reminded of the virtues of humility and trust. Humility allows us to recognize our dependence on God, and trust enables us to surrender our anxieties to Him.
Mary exemplifies these virtues perfectly. Her fiat, her “yes” to God, was an act of profound humility and trust. She submitted herself entirely to God’s will, trusting in His plan despite the uncertainties and challenges it brought.
As traditional Catholics, we can look to Mary as a model of how to live out this scriptural call. By humbling ourselves and entrusting our worries to God, as Mary did, we open ourselves to His grace and care. Her example teaches us that true exaltation comes through humble submission to God’s will and that in surrendering our burdens to Him, we find peace and strength.

Conclusion:
In today’s episode, we’ve explored the timeless wisdom surrounding the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. John Fisher reminds us of her unique role as the dawn of a new era of grace. Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering invite us to embrace Mary deeply into our lives, following the example of St. John the Beloved. And from Scripture, we learn the virtues of humility and trust, virtues that Mary exemplified perfectly.
As we strive to deepen our spiritual lives, let us continually turn to Mary, our Mother, asking her to guide us and lead us ever closer to her Son, Jesus. Thank you for joining us on "Faith and Tradition." May Mary’s intercession bless you and your families. Until next time, God bless.