Pope St. John Paul wrote how the Church from the beginning has modeled her earthly journey on that of the Mother of God. “It is to her as Mother and Model that the Church must look in order to understand in its completeness the meaning of her own mission.”
What does the sacred event which we commemorate today teach us about the Church’s mission, our mission?
Though she belonged entirely to God from the moment of her immaculate conception, the Church Fathers speak of how Mary herself desired to be brought to the Temple, to be presented to God in a formal, solemn, and public way to demonstrate to all that she really did belong to God.
This certainly reveals an important dimension of Christianity. It is not enough for us simply to belong to the Lord privately. We show that we belong to God in formal and public ways. The Sacramental system certainly reflects this principle. Catholics show we belong to God every week, some of us, every day, by gathering at the altar for the celebration of the Eucharist. Here, we present ourselves to God, we receive the nourishment of the Eucharist. But, our dedication to God does not end here. We receive the Eucharist that we might go out into the world to build the kingdom of God.
In the Gospel for this feast, Jesus pronounces belonging to his spiritual family, the Church, requires more than a biological bond: “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother and sister and mother”.
Our dedication to the Lord is seen when we engage in the works that God wants of us. Without these works, faith is dead, says St. James.
It is good and important to dedicate ourselves to God through prayer and the sacraments. The morning offer is a powerful way of dedicating ourselves to God on a daily basis, particularly when we cannot come to daily mass. But even the morning offering speaks of our works: “O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world.”
Pope John Paul II once said that the practice of praying the Morning Offering is ‘of fundamental importance in the life of each and every one of the faithful.’ It is a daily reminder to make our entire day, our whole life ‘a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God’ (Romans 12: 1).”
A daily prayer of dedication can help to order our day, that we like Mary, may remain united to God in all of our thoughts, intentions, affections, desires, words, and deeds, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For deeper Marian devotion amongst all Christians, that the Church may more deeply share in Mary’s dedication to God.
For all mothers, that they may find in Mary the example and strength to carry out their vocation of love, and that all sorrowful mothers may know the consolation and peace of God.
For all consecrated religious, that their dedication may inspire all Christians to deeper faith, hope, and charity.
That through Immaculate Mary, Queen of Peace, hatred, violence, and cruelty will cease in the world.
That from the moment of conception all children will be preserved from bodily harm; for the overturning of unjust laws permitting the destruction of innocent life; and that the minds of all may be enlightened to know the dignity of every human life. We pray to the Lord.
That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Mary, who intercedes for us from her place in heaven
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, dedicated to your Holy Will, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight.
