Is a relationship with Mary ‘optional’ for a Christian?
Considering the testimony of Elizabeth that Mary is “most blessed among women” (Luke 1:42), Jesus’ final gift of his Mother to his disciples, “Woman, behold your son…Son, behold your mother” (John 19:26-27), and Satan’s own hatred of the ‘Woman clothed with the sun’ and his war against her offspring (Revelation 12:1-17), Scripture makes it evidently clear that Mary is  not  optional for living well as a Christian!

Some Christians are concerned that a relationship with Mary will take away from their relationship to Jesus. Fear not! Mary has one goal in life: to lead you to Jesus. The more you know Mary, the more you will know Jesus. No one has every left Mary’s presence with  less love for Jesus, but always with a greater, deeper love for Jesus. 

Mary is the best Christian disciple because she lived in perfect humility and obedience to God’s will. She is the spouse of the Holy Spirit, who is Love. She was made perfect in love even in this life, and so all who approach Jesus through her receive her tender draw to love Christ more than anything else! Can we know Jesus without Mary? The most honest answer is “Yes…but not very well.” Jesus gave Mary to us as his last gift on his Cross before he died. He knew what he was doing. By giving Mary to you and you to Mary, Jesus told us how we are to know him well after his death, resurrection, and ascension when he would no longer be physically present to us.

So bring Mary into your life. Just ask her to lead you to Jesus. She is so pleased to do that! We are preparing to do a parish-wide consecration to Jesus through Mary for 6 consecutive Wednesdays starting on April 19. We will use the “33 Days to Morning Glory” book by Fr. Michael Gaitley. Registration is a must, so call the parish office (216.731.1515) or visit  srweuclid.cc/33-days to register for FREE!