Introduction
The topic at hand may sound bold, if not somewhat controversial. However, when we consider the life and virtues of the Virgin Mary and the teachings of the Catholic Church, it becomes easier to comprehend how Mary, our Heavenly Mother, may be displeased with the direction in which many Catholics are headed today.
Mary: The Model of Perfect Obedience
First, let’s remind ourselves who Mary is in the eyes of the Church. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Mary is “predestined from all eternity to be the Mother of God” and was “redeemed in a more exalted fashion by reason of the merits of her Son” (CCC 492). She said “Yes” to God’s plan for her life without reservation. Her obedience is often seen as a stark contrast to the disobedience that marked the fall of humanity in Adam and Eve.
In the Gospel of Luke, Mary responds to God’s call saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Mary’s response to God shows perfect obedience and total surrender to God’s will.
The Marian Virtues Ignored
Faith
One of the virtues of Mary that stands out is her faith. Mary believed in God’s promise and was willing to participate in His divine plan without fully knowing what it entailed. This kind of faith is something the Church tells us to aspire to. Yet, the practice of our faith often becomes mechanical. Are we merely Sunday Catholics, or do we aim to fully surrender our lives to God’s will as Mary did?
Humility
Another virtue Mary embodies is humility. The Catechism states, “The Son of God became man for our salvation but only in Mary and through Mary” (CCC 488). Mary’s humility paved the way for our salvation, yet how many of us strive to be truly humble? In a world increasingly driven by ego and self-promotion, humility is a virtue that many overlook.
Love and Compassion
Mary’s role didn’t end at the nativity; she stood by Jesus even unto the cross. “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25). This selfless love and deep compassion are virtues we are called to emulate. Sadly, in our dealings with our neighbors and even within our own families, we often fall short of showing this kind of love and compassion.
Devotions Reduced to Rituals
One of the ways Catholics honor Mary is through devotions like the Rosary. However, the concern arises when such practices become mere rituals, devoid of contemplation and sincere devotion. The Rosary is a “Christocentric setting for the rosary has been effectively pointed out by Blessed Paul VI: ‘As a Gospel prayer, centered on the mystery of the redemptive Incarnation, the Rosary is a prayer with a clearly Christological orientation'” (CCC 971). Yet, how many of us rush through the Rosary without meditating on the mysteries or even understanding the significance of what we are praying?
Ignoring Mary’s Messages
Mary has appeared multiple times through Church-approved apparitions to deliver messages of repentance, prayer, and conversion. However, these messages are often ignored or treated with skepticism, even though the Church has given its approval to some of these apparitions.
Modern Relativism and Loss of Objective Truth
We live in an age where relativism prevails, causing confusion and leading many Catholics to drift away from traditional teachings. The Church warns us about the dangers of relativism. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI stated that “a dictatorship of relativism is established that recognizes nothing definite and leaves only one’s own ego and one’s own desires as the final measure.”
Conclusion
Given all these aspects, it’s not far-fetched to suggest that the Virgin Mary is not happy with the way most Catholics live their faith today. The universal teaching of the Church is clear: Mary, as our Heavenly Mother, wants us to follow her example in living a life of obedience, humility, and love for God and neighbor. Our failure to uphold these virtues and our lukewarm approach to faith likely displease her. Let us then strive to return to a faith that genuinely honors Mary as our model and mother, recognizing her role in our salvation and striving to live by the virtues she so perfectly embodies.