Mary, Help of Christians
Saturday, May 24th Readings Reflection: Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
“If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (Jn 15:19 DRB).
Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel can be disheartening to hear, for they bring an assurance of suffering as we live in the midst of a world who hates us as followers of Christ. However, this need not be disheartening but should rather be encouraging, as St. John Chrysostom explained: “[Christ] consoles them still further by telling them, the hatred of the world would be an evidence of their goodness; so that they ought rather to grieve if they were loved by the world: as that would be evidence of their wickedness” (Catena Aurea).
The Roman Martyrology is evidence of the truth of St. John Chrysostom’s words. Countless people throughout the past two millennia have given their lives for Christ. Still countless others have suffered and continue to suffer a white martyrdom, not shedding their blood for Christ but rather suffering—often for prolonged periods of time—without physical death for their beliefs.
This is not to say that everything good that happens to us in this life is a sign of our own sinfulness. Nonetheless, if the world hates us for our faith, this is a good indication that we’re cooperating with God’s grace and living the Gospel. This realization, in turn, should not lead us to pride but rather to a humble gratitude for God’s grace and to an understanding that although we’re on the right track, we are far from perfect.
Traditionally, today is the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians, an ancient title of Mary that recognizes her powerful intercession and protection. As co-redemptrix, Mary participated uniquely in her Son’s sufferings, enduring a passion alongside Our Lord. When we experience our own “passion” in life, suffering at the hands of a world who does not love Christ or His followers, Mary offers us her maternal protection, holding us within her Immaculate Heart and giving us strength to endure all sufferings out of love for God.
May today’s Gospel and feast serve to encourage us as we face the hatred of the world, reminding us that we are imitating Christ in His own Passion and that our heavenly Mother holds us in her heart, comforting and strengthening us in our trials so that we might remain faithful unto death.
Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus nostris; sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta.
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and Blessed Virgin.
