Homily, June 9, 2025, Feast of Mary mother of the Church

 “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

What a beautiful scene!

Imagine if we walk into St. Ambrose Church and see everyone sitting close together as one big family, devoted in prayer as one people, with the Mother of Jesus, Blessed Virgin Mary among us, leading us. The unity, the faith, the togetherness are simply beautiful and inspirational.

That was the scene we just read in our first reading. And upon the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Church was born. On that first day of the Church’s birth, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was there. And that tells us something profound: the Church was born with a mother. Not just any mother, but the mother of Christ, who is the head of the Church, naturally she is the mother of the same Church, the body of Christ,.

Mary is our mother, not just individually, personally, but together, as a Church.

What does a mother do? Many of you know that today is my birthday. And I can’t help but think of my own mother because the day of my birth was the day of her labor. I cannot celebrate the beginning of my life without celebrating the day of her motherhood.

I have many beautiful memories of my mommy, but there’s something she had always said to me keeps echoing in my ears, as if she is still here telling me again, “I told you so many times!”

My mommy spent a lot of time and energy reminding me repeatedly how to behave or not to behave, what to do and not do, how to live according to her expectations and teachings. Whenever I made a mistake, she would say with frustration, “I told you so many times!”

And you know what? I was always making mistakes!

Although she’s no longer here with me, her voice, her warnings and reminders stayed with me.

Yes, mothers can be a little “naggy” at times and I think that’s common around the world. But that’s not criticism; it’s a sign of motherly love. It expresses a real concern, that if teachings are not repeated, the children will forget.

And that’s exactly what Mother Mary does too. As the mother of the Church, she gently but persistently reminds us to turn back to God. Often, she has to try different ways to deliver her warnings and reminders.

After the Ascension of Jesus, we don’t hear about new appearances of Jesus himself so far, but Marian apparitions have been happening all over the world , Why?

Because Mary, our heavenly mother, is deeply concerned about her children. That’s why she has appeared to many people in so many places: Mexico, France, Portugal, United States, Ireland and many more, with always the same message, the same reminders: turn away from sin, stop offending the sacred heart of Jesus, pray the rosary, for end of war, for peace, for salvation of souls, for holiness.

Yes, Mary is the mother of the Church. Like every good mother, she feeds us, by bringing us to the Holy Eucharist, to her Son; she protects us, she intercedes for us, and she nurtures us.

As she accompanied Jesus from womb to tomb, she now accompanies the Church from birth to the end of time.

She was there at Pentecost. She was there at our baptism and every sacrament received. She is here with us at every Mass. She is always present before every tabernacle. She prays unceasingly for the church, for all of us.

Even if we don’t see her, her prayers remain with us.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Amen.