Mary, a testimony to God’s mercy

Why is it that some people prefer to pray to Mary and the Saints in heaven rather than to God the Father? Maybe they imagine God to be distant, indifferent or even hard-hearted?

Mary shatters this grotesque and idolatrous image of God. She joyfully declares that “his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50). God is merciful. His mercy reaches even to us today.

Mary tells us that God exalts the humble. They fear God because they know that they are unworthy and that he is just and holy. 

Even so, they take courage and approach the throne of grace. They humbly come to him with reverence and awe. Their confidence is based on the conviction that God is merciful. God has never turned away anyone who pleaded for his mercy.

Mary is a witness to God’s goodness. She testifies that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. She herself carried him in her womb, gave birth and took care of him as a child. Mary also testifies that Jesus suffered and died, the just for the unjust, to bring them to God. She was present under the cross seeing her Son offering his life as a ransom for many.

If you ever had any doubt about God’s goodness and love, look to the cross of Jesus. It was God the Father who sent and offered him for our salvation. Jesus is the measure of God’s mercy! Let us therefore take heart and approach God the Father with reverence and faith. He will embrace us in his mercy if we come to him through his Son.

(Gospel e-Letter - February 2017).