Mother Mary as Co-Redemptrix

Our Lady, the Mother of God. She is the Co-Redemptrix of the Church. As we dive into this topic at hand, it is important to note a few points.

  • Every Mariological truth is in Scripture.
  • Never Hold Mariological truth to a higher standard to Christological or Trinitary truths.
  • Magisterium, Scripture, and Tradition are necessary together for Divine Revelation. 

The Breakdown of the word; “Co-Redemptrix”

  1. Latin Words:
    • Co- “Cum”, which means “with”.
    • Trix- latin suffix that is added to a verb to create a “feminine” form of a noun
    • Redemp- “rediemere” means “to buy back”.
  2. Words put together mean “woman with the Redeemer”.
    • Mary uniquely participates with the work of redemption with Christ.

Scripture:

  1. Genesis 3:15 -> “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.”
    • She is involved in the work of crushing Satan. (Serpent)
    • She is the New Eve (woman of prophesy).
  2. Luke 1:38 -> “Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”
    • Mary freely cooperates with the Will of God.(Jesus’ body, she is the mother.
    • This begins the co-mission with redemption.
  3. Luke 1:34-35 -> “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce)[k] so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
    • Words of Simeon talks about her co-suffering.
    • (It will pierce her own heart too).
  4. John 19: 25-27 -> “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”
    • In the Gospels, we know Mary was close by to Christ during his walk to calvary. Lumen Gentium 58 Explains this:
      • (by Pope Paul VI): Breaks down Mary.She advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross, where she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, (294)Grieving exceedingly with her only begotten Son, uniting herself with a maternal heart with His sacrifice, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this Victim which she herself had brought forth.
  5. Finally, she was given by the same Christ Jesus dying on the cross as a mother to His disciple with these words: “Woman, behold thy son”. (295) (11*)

Tradition:

  • 10th Century:
    • Redemptrix first appearance. (The Breakthrough)
    • John the Geometer coined this in his works.
      • This new light of understanding shines upon the inseparability of the Mother and the Son in the accomplishment of Redemption fulfilled at Calvary.
  • 12th Century:
    • St. Bernard talked about this.
      • “Mary offered Jesus for redemption”
      • Arnold of Chartres, disciple of St. Bernard:
  • She was “Co-crucified and Co-died with Christ”.
    • Arnold wrote and explained that Mary is in fact “co-crucified” in her heart with Jesus crucified, and that the mother “co-dies” with the death of her son. Mary “co-died with the pain of a parent.”
  • 19th Century:
    • St. John Henry Neuman
      • Defends the title of Co-Redemptrix.
    • Pope Leo the 13th encyclical Rerum Novarum #62-63:
      • Wrote that Mary willfully offering Jesus for Divine Justice.
      • (called her cooperative)
    • Pope Pius 11th:
      • Defended her title for two reasons:
        • She gave birth to the redeemer.
        • Suffered with Him as He was on the Cross.
  • St. Pope John Paul the 2nd:
    • Pope of the Co-Redemptrix
      • Uses her title 7 times.
      Her role did not cease with the glorification of her Son on Calvary.Her role continues: Two Redemptions
      • Objective Redemption: historically obtaining of grace by Jesus and Mary happens once.Subjective Redemption: grace gets to us by distributing them from the redemption.
        • Her task is to dispense what was obtained. Holy Spirit dispenses grace, Mary does too. Christ is the Only Divine Redeemer. Mary is the unique Human co-redeemer.

Conclusion: Mary is the Co-Redemptrix, we are to be Co-Redeemers:

  • We are all called to be “Co-redeemers of Christ” (Dr. Mark Mirvalle).
    • 1 Corinthians 3:9 -> “For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”We as Christians must help each other get to Heaven.
    • Colossians 1:24 -> “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church”.Paul refers to the “Objective Redemption”.
  • We participate by our little sacrifices even though Christ did a massive suffering.

Becoming a Saint

One word comes to mind when I think about sainthood. The word is sacrifice. Sacrifice is a saintly service to live by. Even the smallest sacrifices make a difference in our world today. We know how Christ sacrificed for us (1).
We are to be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (2). Our sacrifices are what makes the world know what love is. Our sacrifices do not go unnoticed. They are reminders that we our doing God’s will.

St. Teresa of Calcutta was one of the greatest role models in sacrificing herself for the needs of other people. Charity being her virtue. We must also remember that the greatest sacrifice happened when Jesus Christ was on the cross. As it is written in the Bible, ”But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (3).

The ultimate beauty and love we can do for our heavenly Lord is to take up our own cross and follow in His footsteps. Many of us have already taken up their cross and set the example. Remember, God knows what we go through each day and loves each of us unconditionally.

Footnotes:

(1) CCC 1825
(2) Ephesians 5:1-2
(3) Romans 5:8

Resources:

Catholic Catechism

Catholic Answers: Sacrifice

Bible Translations: (NIV, NASB)

Importance of Freedom

Ah the importance of freedom. It is such a vital component between Man and God. Man is rational and is created with free will. We are not Slaves of God, rather Children of God who freely choose on our own. We have the freedom to seek & follow our Creator (1,2).

Free will is Freedom. As Catholics, we do believe that “the exercise of freedom does not imply a right to say or do everything” (3). When we choose to do good, we become freer than before. When we choose to do evil, we become slaves of sin. True Freedom is to live in Truth, an essential requirement of human dignity.

If we desire a life with God, it is crucial for us to continue to be models of true freedom.

Refer: 

(1) CCC 1743 

(2) Gaudium et Spes, GS 17 § 1

(3) CCC 1740

Relationship w/ God

Our relationship with God is a Love Affair (1). It is not just initial infatuation, but rather real love sustained through repeated acts of the will. It is like marriage and faith. We are meant to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul (2).

We promise faithfully to live out that commitment for the rest of our lives. We are the Bride of Christ and made for the glory of God. His desire to have a personal relationship with us is unmatched.

God created all things not to increase his glory, but to show it forth and communicate it (3). God does not force this upon us, rather He gives us the freedom to choose our way. He stands at the door and knocks, hoping we allow Him to enter our lives (4).

We can encounter Him through reading scripture, in prayer or even in the liturgical life of the Church. Let us pursue this intimate bond with God, and all else will fall in place.

Footnotes: 

  1. Quote by G.K. Chesterton 
  2. Matthew 22:37  
  3. CCC 293 
  4. Revelation 3:20 

God: The Trinity

Ah the Trinity, so much to talk about it. The Trinity is “a mystery of faith in the strict sense, one of the mysteries that are hidden in God” (CCC 237). The Trinity is not three gods, but three Divine Persons in one God. As the Fourth Lateran Council puts it, “each of the persons is that supreme reality, the divine substance, essence or nature (Lateran C. IV, (1215): DS 804).

In other words; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are distinct from one another. Each of the Them are Co-Eternal, possessing one Divine Nature. (Fun Fact: Christ is the only one that has two natures> Divine and Human). As Pope Paul VI wrote, we are called to share in the life of the Blessed Trinity (cf. Paul VI, CPG £ 9). Let us not only share it with ourselves, but for those all around us.

Defend the Church

Does it feel like more and more our faith in God is put to the test? Not that we don’t love Him, but we question the plans He has for us? We know that faith is “the free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed” (CCC 150).

Let it be known that “God’s way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). If we have this faith, He will be our guide. We have to fight for this faith, we have to fight for the Church. We are His Bride. We may fall. Rest assured, we will rise. The Lord is a light for us (reference Micah 7:8).

The Church has survived through the ages. It is the sacrament of salvation and there is no salvation outside of Her (reference CCC 780 & 846). Let us continue to be models of this faith and we will set the world ablaze.

The Prayer Life

Sometimes when we pray, we expect God to answer our prayers with a snap of our fingers. Sometimes we give up on praying to God after the first day, week, month, etc. Because we feel our prayer never got answered, God may be ignoring us or what ever the case may be.

It’s okay, I used to feel the same way too. The Catechism tells us that “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (CCC 2559). But when we pray, we should ask ourselves are we “speaking from the height of our pride and will, or “out of the depths” of a humble and contrite heart?” (Psalm 130:1).

God has taught me a lot about prayer, as I am sure many of you have experienced. He has taught me patience and to have understanding. I have witnessed my prayers answered, in ways I could not even imagine. God will always answer our prayers one way or another, but according to His Will, not of our own.

Have Faith and Hope, in not only prayer, but in everything we do.

The Pro-Life Stance

There is no question that I stand and support all Life. I believe that everyone (the born and unborn) have a Right to Life. I stand with the Church and her teachings.

For those who may not know, “since the first century, the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.” (CCC 2271)

There are those who know the truth behind abortion, but there are those who do not. It is imperative that we inform and speak out for the unborn whom cannot speak for themselves. If we do nothing, how can we expect change? If we stand idle, how can we move hearts?

“Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end.” (CDF, Instruction Donum vitae, intro. 5). The simplest, but one of most important things to do is pray. We must not wish evil on those who disagree with our stance. Sin does not correct sin. We must be the change and set the standard to defend life. God will do the rest.

The Search for Truth

Ah, the search for truth. As Christians, we are called to live truth (1). It leads us to question things, which is a great thing! If we did not question things, how are we to know what is true? Truth opens and unites our minds in the Lógos of love (2). Lógos is another name for the “Word of God” or the “Incarnate”, simply means Christ. This makes sense, especially when we know Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (3).  

There is this quote from Thomas Aquinas that takes a step further. He says that “We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.”

I love the way Aquinas goes on to say we must love those we agree with and those we do not agree with. For the most part, we are on a path in discovering what is true. Every good Christian ought to be prepared to give a favorable interpretation to another’s view than to condemn it (4). Now, that does not mean we do not correct, rather correct the person with love. We are to help one another get to Heaven. Many of us know what is true, but many do not. Let us continue our path together towards truth. For by this, salvation will be ours. 

Refer: 

  1. CCC 2465-2467 
  2. Caritas In Veritate (CiV £ 4) 
  3. John 14:6 
  4. CCC 2478

Patience

Patience. Its tough to live up too. Definitely not something achieved in a short period of time. Looks so easy to do and yet, its difficult to live out. How does one become patient? I have used prayer in these moments, as it is written “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22).

My experience, I prayed for patience. And over the years, I got exactly that. I have learned and lived it. To the point where it seems to become a regular thing for me to be patient. As God’s children, we bear much fruit and fruits of the Spirit include patience (CCC 736). Be patient with others and be patient in love too, lets not forget love in all of this.

How can anyone expect to be patient without love? God’s plans for you are great, never lose sight of that. “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Do these words not ring true? It may take time for us to perceive them, to understand them, to believe in them. But all that patience will be worth it in the end.

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