As Catholics, our relationship with the Virgin Mary is both tender and deep-rooted. The Church refers to her as the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. So, when we turn our gaze to Mary, what would she want us to avoid for a life more in line with Christ’s teachings?
Why Listen to Mary?
Mary is the Mother of Jesus, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. By virtue of being the Mother of God, Mary holds a unique position of honor and reverence in the Catholic Church. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Mary is “predestined from all eternity to be the Mother of God” (CCC 488). She is a model of faith, obedience, and devotion. Thus, looking to Mary as a guide can help us deepen our relationship with God.
Saying No to Sin
1. Pride
Pride is often termed the “original sin,” the root from which other sins grow. Mary, in her Magnificat, said, “He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts” (Luke 1:51). She encourages us to be humble and receptive to God’s grace, just as she was.
2. Materialism
Mary lived a simple life and always pointed towards God, not worldly riches. As Jesus taught, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19). Mary would want us to focus on heavenly treasures, not the fleeting joys of material possessions.
3. Disobedience to God’s Will
Mary’s words to the Angel Gabriel were, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). This attitude of radical obedience is one she would wish for all her spiritual children. She wants us to say no to disobedience and yes to the will of God.
4. Neglecting Prayer
Mary treasured prayer, and it’s reasonable to assume she wants us to do the same. The Catechism tells us that “prayer is the life of the new heart” (CCC 2697). Neglecting prayer is akin to neglecting our spiritual lifeblood.
5. Denying the Real Presence in the Eucharist
The Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). Mary, who bore Jesus in her womb, would want us to fully acknowledge His real presence in the Eucharist.
6. Not Honoring the Sabbath
Remembering to keep holy the Lord’s Day is a direct commandment from God. The Catechism reaffirms this by saying, “The sabbath brings everyday work to a halt and provides a respite” (CCC 2172). By setting aside time for God, we align ourselves with both Divine and Marian desires for our well-being.
7. Neglecting the Poor and Suffering
Mary’s Magnificat also praises God who “has lifted up the lowly” (Luke 1:52). Like her Son, Mary would want us to say no to indifference and to reach out to the needy.
8. Dishonoring the Family
Mary was a devoted mother and wife. The family is often called the “domestic Church,” and the Catechism points out that the family is the “original cell of social life” (CCC 2207). Neglecting or dishonoring our familial obligations is not in line with Mary’s teachings.
9. Living a Double Life
One of the lessons we can draw from Mary’s life is her consistency in faith. She didn’t say yes to God once and then live however she pleased. James warns, “faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17). A double life, one of outward piety but inner worldliness, would be something Mary would want us to say no to.
10. Abandoning Hope
Mary stood at the foot of the cross, holding on to hope even in the darkest hour. The Catechism describes hope as the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (CCC 1820). Giving in to despair or cynicism is contrary to what Mary would want for us.
Conclusion
Saying no to these things is not just a list of negatives; it is a pathway to saying yes to a fuller, richer spiritual life. As Mary said in Cana, “Do whatever he [Jesus] tells you” (John 2:5). May we, too, listen to her maternal guidance and walk the path that leads us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.