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Excerpts taken from Mother – Disciple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Our Mother and Guide by Sr. Merle Salazar, FDNSC
The “spirituality of the heart”, as I understand it, demands active participation in the building of God’s kingdom here and now, a world where justice and compassion reign. As theologian Aloysius Pieris puts it, the most eloquent symbol of love is ACTION, particularly action for justice.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, historically, was a Jewish girl from Nazareth in Galilee. First century Nazareth is described by scholars as “a small Jewish village without any political significance, preoccupied with agriculture, and no doubt, taxation.” After the death of Herod the Great (4 CE), resentment exploded in revolt all over Palestine. The Romans responded with brutal efficiency. In the surrounding villages, such as Nazareth, the people would have had vivid memories of the destruction of their villages and the enslavements of their friends and relatives. Mary was surely no stranger to poverty, injustice, violence and social dislocation. In the harshness of life in first century Palestine under the Roman Empire, she lived out her “yes” daily and lived it out even beyond her Son’s death.
Let us now look at the portrait of Mary in the fourth Gospel. We see her in two significant scenes, at the wedding at Cana (Jn. 2) and at the foot of the cross (Jn. 19), the beginning and end of Jesus’ ministry. In the wedding at Cana, we hear the only words the mother of Jesus uttered in the whole gospel “They have no wine” and “Do whatever he tells you.” Let me share with you an interpretation by Elizabeth Johnson, C.S.J., professor and theologian: “…Mary named the need and took the initiative to seek a solution. Far from silent, she speaks; far from passive, she acts; far from receptive to the orders of the male, she goes counter to his wishes, finally bringing him along with her; far from yielding to a grievous situation, she takes charge of it organizing matters to bring about benefit to those in need. Seen from this perspective then, Mary stands in solidarity with women around the world who struggle for social justice for themselves and for their children”.
In this Gospel, Jesus addresses also his mother as “Woman.” Scholars agree that this is not a sign of disrespect. Rather, it is a way by which Jesus invites his mother to a different level of relationship, a relationship of faith. Here, his mother is being invited to discipleship.
Whether we look at Mary historically or textually, what we see is the image of her as mother and as a follower of Jesus. As mother, her life was not really a bed of roses. As disciple, she said “yes” and lived it out even in the context of poverty, injustice, and violence. I believe that today, it is more fitting and relevant to understand Our Lady of the Sacred Heart as “Mother-Disciple” of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, rather than as intercessor and dispenser of graces. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart calls us to contemplation and to action. We hear her say to us “they have no wine, no food, no drinking water, no homes, no peace… YOU do something about it!”
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