MARY, MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST
June 23, 2020
A framed copy of this picture of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist was prominently displayed at the front of the main training sessions' meeting room at the June 2019 SPSE IMMERSION. It beautifully illustrates several key elements of the spirituality associated with St. Paul Street Evangelization: 1) following the personal example of Jesus' mother Mary as His first disciple, 2) empowerment by the Holy Spirit and obedience to His inspiration, 3) walking in the light and love of God, 3) pointing to Jesus as the true center of our hearts, 4) personally sharing the Good News of Jesus with others, 5) inviting others to personally encounter and know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and 6) invite others to encounter Jesus in His Holy Eucharist within the Catholic Church.
This picture is displayed when the SPSE Lorain County Team is evangelizing at the Lorain County Fair, hosting an SPSE Basic Evangelization or other training courses, or giving a formal presentation about the SPSE Ministry. References to six New Testament scripture verses are listed at the bottom of the picture to point out key events in Mary's life that illustrate her example as Jesus' first disciple. They are:
1) “Here am I, the Servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
2) “My Soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47
3) But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19
4) His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” John 2:5
5) Standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25
6) All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus. Acts 1:14
The following is some additional information about the picture and several commentaries about Mary and her role as Mother of the Eucharist:
MARY, MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST -
painted by Helen E. Foley
Meaning of symbols:
The crown of tears is the seven sorrows. Mary is called the Queen of Sorrows.
The rays of light emanating from Mary are to indicate her status as the Living Monstrance of Jesus as the Mother of His Flesh and Blood.
Her right-hand beckons us to come to the Eucharist, her Son.
Mary's veiled hand indicates that she herself was not made a priest. Yet who better should have had the right but the Flesh that bore Him. Yet, she was not, so does not touch nor consecrate the Host.
The roses on her belt are reminiscent of the rosary prayers which she herself has asked us to pray. Mary is Queen of the Holy Rosary.
The angels are hers to command. Mary is Queen of the Angels.
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Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
She is the model of Eucharistic Life, who teaches us to listen and keep the Word of God (Christ), so that we can later be and do all that the Father wants and desires of us. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). To listen to the Virgin Mary is to love and obey God, she imprints in the heart of the pilgrim, “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).
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“Lord, I am Yours, and I must belong to no one but You. My soul is Yours, and must live only by You. My will is Yours, and must love only for You. I must love You as my first cause, since I am from You. I must love You as my end and rest, since I am for You. I must love You more than my own being, since my being subsists by You. I must love You more than myself, since I am all Yours and all in You. Amen.”
St. Francis de Sales
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“All love tends to become like that which it loves. God loved man; therefore He became man. For nine months her own body was the natural Eucharist, in which God shared communion with human life, thus preparing for that greater Eucharist when human life would commune with the Divine. Mary’s joy was to form Christ in her own body; her joy now is to form Christ in our souls. In this Mystery, we pray to become pregnant with the Christ spirit, giving Him new lips with which He may speak of His Father, new hands with which He may feed the poor, and a new heart with which He may love everyone, even enemies.”
Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen
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