The devotion that brings to Jesus

Excerpt of the Homily of Most Rev. Romulo Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao during the Marian Exhibit Year 3 at the 2nd Floor Exhibit Hall, Abreeza Mall (Part 2).

The beginning of the devotion to the Blessed Mother is since the beginning of the church, and not just today. Our faith, our Church has long been there. Why? There’s a very simple reason and I hope that reason confirms your faith. Simply because it is in the Scripture.

In the Bible, our Savior said, ‘There is your mother.’

He did not say ‘There is your helper’ nor ‘there is your assistant.’ But, ‘There is your mother.’

We, the Catholics are right!

All that we do is simply manifesting that she is our mother. And being a mother, she will bring us closer to God.

It’s her mission to bring us closer to God.

In the first reading, in the Acts of the Apostles, it mentioned many places. If you look at the map, all of them are in the present country Turkey and the northern part of Greece. One of the places is Ephesus. In tradition it is supposed to be the home where St. John resided.

St. John the rider settled in Ephesus and in the vicinity, he brought the blessed Mother to Ephesus.

In Ephesus, there is still a small church where people still flock because that was the temporary home of the Blessed Mother.

Even ladies of the Islamic faith would go to Ephesus to venerate Mama Mary because since Calvary, she is your mama, your mother.

In the Mass, since it is reliving the memory of Calvary, simple logic, the center prayer of the Mass, always mention Mama Mary.

Of course, if the Mass is the sacrifice in Calvary, who stood in Calvary, at the foot of the Cross? Who?

That is why, since the beginning, our devotion to the Mary Mother is the devotion that brings us to Jesus.

In the readings, I am convinced that Mama Mary would smile at us and nod her head in appreciation and also in agreement.

The readings would propose to us, as devotees of Mama Mary, two things in our Christian and Catholic faith: In the first reading, in the middle, they heard that Macedonia asked for help. Paul and Barnabas changed plans and went to Macedonia.

To me, my first reflection, is that as disciples of Jesus and as sons and daughters of Mary, we must be other-oriented. Because all of us, most would rather look at ourselves alone. Paul had his plans on their route but with the call in Macedonia, they had to do the reroute.

The challenge is that as sons and daughters of Mary, we must be sensitive to the needs of others.

Even at times arise, sacrifice! Put your needs behind of others.

This lady that we call the blessed Mother in Nazareth, put aside her plans. But as it goes, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word!’

She said, ‘My plans will no longer be pursued. Tell me what to do.’