Our Lady of Lourdes calls us to repent, pray

Mary’s acceptance on the will of God shows obedience and total submission of herself to God. During the annunciation, when an Angel said to her “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God, Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall name him Jesus”, Mary said in reply “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1: 26-38).

The Catholic tradition upheld the important role of Mary in the life of Jesus, a mother who is so sympathetic and leads people to Jesus. A family of Jesus is the role model to all Filipino families. Our faith must be planted and cared in a family. Mary as a mother of Jesus is also the mother of the Proclaimer of the Reign Kingdom of God.

The appearances of Mary which the pope referred to as the Our Lady’s apparitions to Bernadette is a “dialogue between Heaven and earth which has continued and which is still ongoing.” It is calling all the people of God to pray for the sinners to repent and to pray penance for conversion.

To follow the will of God for God’s greatest love is at hand.

In John 3:16, it says “for God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life”; and in John 3:17, it says “for God did not send his son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.”

In the Parousia as an event of salvation, this woman Mary the mother of the Proclaimer will be there to celebrate with us and with the whole creation. Mary is a co-Worker of Jesus in calling all humanity the revelation of God’s Kingdom. (Marilyn A. Lallen)