When the angel Gabriel was sent by God to the virgin Mary, he addressed her saying, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Lk. 1:28). Later, her cousin Elizabeth said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk. 1:42).
Mary’s own inspired words in what is called “The Song of Mary” included “behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed” (Lk. 1:48). Some take this blessing beyond its intent by worshiping Mary, but let us not go to the other extreme and fail to honor the mother of our Lord. She is worthy of honor.
His mother Mary was beneath the cross. A mother having to watch her child die is a most heartbreaking event to contemplate, especially if the death occurs through agonizing violence.
Even while enduring agony on the cross, Jesus honored His mother. He was concerned for her future. He used some of His last breaths to commit His mother’s care to a disciple He loved (Jn. 19:26-27).
Mary is worthy of honor because of her silence at the cross. Jesus claimed God as His Father. Had Jesus been born through the natural means—with a human father—Mary would have felt compelled to cry out that truth. No doubt, she would have said, “Stop! I’ll tell you who his father is.” But she remained silent. We honor her for that.
But most of all, we honor and worship her Son—Who is truly the beloved and only begotten Son of God—by commemorating His death until He comes again, just as He prescribed before His death (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
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