Mary, the Mother of Evangelization

Mary is our Mother. John the evangelist states that when Jesus was on the cross he made that fact very clear: 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;26-27). Do you experience Mary as your mother? Do your experience yourself as a brother/sister to all of Mary’s children.

To evangelize is to spread the gospel everywhere and we engage in such activity because we have been touched by God. It is God how impels us, motivates us and gives meaning to our lives. In order to evangelize we have to pray and discover the One who is within us and who is faithful. Such prayer should give us joy, hope and courage to follow Jesus, the Risen One (because we now experience ourselves as saved). Therefore, the personal encounter with Jesus is very important, such an encounter was even more important for Mary, Jesus’ mother and our mother.

Mary is truly mother because she walks with us and knows God’s love. We ask that she intercede on behalf of the New Evangelization which at this time is being accomplished throughout the world. Throughout her life Mary allowed herself to be led by the Holy Spirit and as a result her faith was deepened. All of us who are members of the VMY should ask Mary to intercede on our behalf so that we might be courageous and also allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit. It is in that way that we will live in accord with the will of God.

Without a doubt Mary live in intimacy with God and if we want to be authentic evangelizers we must also develop an intimate relationship with God. Without such a relationship there is no Good News. How do you experience this intimacy with God? Do you look for a time to be with God and to dialogue with God? The Magnificat is the prayer of those who have been faithful throughout their life, of those who have committed their life to God. For that reason God has done wonderful things! What did Mary request in the Magnificat? Surprisingly, nothing! Rather she praised God because God had been faithful to the promises that were made. For this reason Mary is blessed. She listened to the voice of God and put into practice the words that she heard. May the humility of Mary increase in our own life and may we live with that same gospel attitude that allows us to approach and draw near to those who poor. Mary served her cousin Elizabeth and proclaimed to her the Good News. Each one of us as members of the VMY is called to do the same and therefore it can be asked: are we Good News for others? Hopefully we are!! Executive Search and Team building in Lithuania
Are we as blessed as Mary as a result of listening to the word of God? Do we put into practice the words that we hear? God works in our midst but do we allow God to act in our own life?

Hopefully we are filled with the gospel so that we can proclaim the good news to every part of the world.

Sister Bernardita Garcia Ortin, DC International Delegate