Lesson 10 THE ROLE OF MARY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

Mary truly plays a vital role in the salvific plan of God. Through her “Yes” to be the mother of God, the promise
of salvation made possible. She gave birth to Jesus, who is God, which makes her the Mother of God.

There is really something special to Mary for she is not just the Mother of Jesus but also the mother of the
members of his Mystical Body “the Church”.

Here we shall understand briefly the role of Mary in the life of the Church as presented in the Scripture and
doctrinal teaching of the church.

WHO IS MARY IN RELATION TO THE CHURCH?

1. MARY IS THE MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

Mary as the mother of the Church is the reflection and extension of her being the mother of God and the associate in
Christ’s saving work. Mary is the mother of the Church because:

 As a mother of Jesus Christ, she is the mother of the head of the Church, his mystical body and thus mother
of all members of His body. As disciples and members of his body, we have Mary as our spiritual mother.
 As associate in Christ’s saving work, Mary cooperated in the work of the savior. She is a mother to us in the
order of grace.

Her motherhood to us continues without interruption through her intercession to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation.

2. MARY AS THE MODEL OF THE CHURCH

Mary is the model of the Church because she shines forth to the whole community as the model of virtues. Mary is

 The first to be evangelized and redeemed (“the ones who when they heard the word, embrace it with
generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.[Luke 8:15])
Annuniciation – she listened to the word of the angel and with her fiat committed to God.
Visitation – she listened to Elizabeth calling her the mother of my lord
Presentation – She listened to Simeon say that her Son was destined to be opposed.
She suffered from Herod’s persecution
She listened to her Son in the temple
Wedding at Cana – approached her Son in trust to bring his attention to the need of the couple and
told the servants: Do whatever he tells you.
He suffered with Her Son in His Passion and death.
 The first evangelizer
Visitation – She proclaimed the great things the Lord had done for her: Magmificat”
Cana – she intervened with her Son
At the foot of the Cross – She stood witness to her faith even as his Son is hung on the cross
She patiently waited with the disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit
She was in the midst of the First Community of Disciples preparing for their mission.

WE CONTINUE TO SEEK HER INTERCESSION AND LEARN FROM HER WAY OF LIFE

MARY is the model of the Church in many ways:

 In her interior attitude of service and sacrifice.

 In her total obedience to God’s will and desire to help others
 In her qualities: faith, generosity, courage (PCP II 580, CFC 1440)

Paul VI clarified how Mary can be model for modern women:

 Her decision making

 Her free choice of virginity for total consecration to God
 Her proclamation of God’s vindicating the humble and oppressed

CFC 1440

Mary can be rightfully be considered:

An example to be imitated, not precisely in the type of life she led, and much less for the socio-cultural background
she lived….but , as an example for the way in which, her own particular way of life, she fully and responsibly accepted
the will of God , She heard the word of God and acted on it…She is the first and most perfect disciple of Christ.