Run to your mother!, Mary: Day 166

Run to your mother!

When small children are in danger, to whom do they run and call for help? To their mother, of course! And so should we, says St. Alphonsus.

Our Blessed Lady herself in a vision addressed these words to St. Bridget: “Just as a mother, if she saw her son surrounded by the swords of his enemies, would use every effort to save him, so will I. And I will do this for all sinners who seek my mercy.” For this reason, in every engagement with the pow- ers of hell we will always certainly conquer by turning to the Mother of God for help, who is also our Mother, repeating again and again: “We fly to your patron- age, O holy Mother of God! We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God!” How many victories the faithful have gained over hell by turning to Mary for help with this short but most powerful prayer!

Be of good heart, then, all you who are children of Mary. Remember that she accepts as her children all those who choose to be so. Rejoice! Why do you fear to be lost, when such a mother defends and protects you? St. Bonaventure observes: “Say, then, O my soul, with great confidence: ‘I will rejoice and be glad; for whatever the judgment to be pronounced on me may be, it depends on and must come from my Brother and Mother.’ . . . In this way each one who loves this good mother, and relies on her protection, should stir himself to confi- dence, remembering that Jesus is our Brother, and Mary our Mother.”

Children have always on their lips their mother’s name, and in every fear, in every danger, they immediately cry out, “Mother! Mother!” Most sweet Mary! Most loving Mother! This is precisely what you desire: that we should become children, and call on you in every danger, and at all times turn to you, because you desire to help and rescue us, as you have rescued all who have turned to you.
—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
What fears or dangers do I face today that should send me running to my spiritual mother and asking her protection?

CLOSING PRAYER
From the Sub Tuum Praesidium: We flee to your patronage, O holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions in our needs, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and Blessed Virgin!

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