Mater Misericordiae...

"...Mater Misericordiae..."
"Mother of Mercy..." How often these words have crossed our lips when reciting the "Hail, Holy Queen." In this Year of Jubilee of Mercy perhaps it is time to ask what we mean by this title that we give to the Mother of God. Miseri: the poor ones; Cordiae: of the heart. She is heartsick for the poor miserable ones.
How and why is Mary the Mother of Mercy? Pope Francis tells us in his letter on Mercy (Misericordiae Vultus, The Face of Mercy) that Jesus is the face of mercy. So Jesus is heartsick too. It would be a challenging reflection to ponder that dear face being formed in the womb of Mary, his mother. In fact, he delighted in spending nine months confined in that small space, no larger than a man's fist...he, the God of the cosmos. He delights being intimately united with small things, so I guess you and I have a chance. Mary is the former and shaper of the human face of God's own mercy shown to us so we can see it, and share it...
Next, he nurses from her, drawing the strength to grow his tiny hands and feet. With them he will heal, restore, comfort, and finally die of self-giving merciful love. She has provided the very human means for our redemption. She will agonize with him as he lives it out. We will too as we watch the nightly news...
The Word-made-Flesh sits upon her lap as on a throne. She is the Seat of Wisdom. The very Word of the Father, the Wisdom-Engineer, the One who shaped the cosmos, tossed out the stars, appeared in the burning bush, and parted the Red Sea...the One who rules as King over all human history and its unfolding, carefully and wisely working with and around human freedom to bring about the dream-plan of his Father, that One sits upon her lap and plays patty-cake on her cheeks. He outstretches his pudgy arms to you, to me...wanting to draw you in, to plant kisses all over your face, and seems oblivious to any stupid thing we've ever done. We too?

Yes, indeed...she is Mater Misericordiae...
Star of the new evangelization,
help us to bear radiant witness to communion,
service, ardent and generous faith,
justice and love of the poor,
that the joy of the gospel
may reach to the ends of the earth,
illuminating even the fringes of our world.
Mother of the living Gospel,
wellspring of happiness for God's little ones,
pray for us.
Amen, Alleluia!