Mary, Mother of Mercy, Mary: Day 141

Mary, Mother of Mercy

St. Alphonsus explains why it seems that Mary has no other desire or concern than to grant us mercy.

A demon-possessed person was once being exorcised, and the exorcist questioned the demon about what Mary did. The demon replied, “She descends and ascends.” By this it meant that this benevolent Lady is constantly descend- ing from heaven to bring graces to men, and re-ascending to obtain the divine favor for our prayers. With good reason, then, St. Andrew Avellino used to call the Blessed Virgin the “Heavenly Commissioner,” for she is continually carrying messages of mercy and obtaining graces for all, for the just and for sinners alike.

The royal prophet, King David, said: “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous” (Ps 34:16). “But the eyes of the Lady,” says Richard of Saint Law- rence, “are on the righteous and on sinners. For the eyes of Mary are the eyes of a mother; and a mother not only watches her child to prevent it from falling, but when it has fallen, she picks it up.” Jesus himself revealed this to St. Bridget, for one day he allowed her to hear him addressing his holy mother with these words: “My Mother, ask of me whatever you wish.” And in this way her Son is constantly addressing Mary in heaven, taking pleasure in gratifying his beloved mother in all that she asks. But what does Mary ask? St. Bridget heard her reply: “I ask mercy for sinners.” It’s as if she had said, “My Son, you have made me the Mother of Mercy, the refuge of sinners, the advocate of the miserable; and now
you tell me to ask what I desire. What can I ask except mercy for them?

“O Mary,” says St. Bonaventure, with deep feeling, “you are so full of mercy, so attentive in relieving the wretched, that it seems that you have no other desire, no other concern.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
In what current matters am I seeking God’s mercy because of my personal weaknesses and failures? Do I recognize that Mary’s constant prayer for me is to receive that mercy from God?

CLOSING PRAYER
From the Salve Regina: Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we cry, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears!

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