Why We Need To Follow Mary If We Want To Follow Christ

The Blessed Virgin Mary — Image from Canva Pro

“Always stay close to this Heavenly Mother, because she is the sea to be crossed to reach the shores of Eternal Splendor.” -Saint Padre Pio

No person on earth has ever followed Jesus as closely as Mary had. Didn’t she carry Him in her womb? For thirty years, she lived by His side, taking care of Him and helping Him in everything. Even at His very last moments, she was there: meeting Him as He carried the cross, watching His tortures and crucifixion, witnessing His death, and burying His lifeless body.

Who else can teach us about following Jesus than Mary?

Without Mary, we are faced with various temptations. We can be tempted first and foremost by PRIDE.

Thinking that we can do without her help, we aim to be like Christ. While there is nothing wrong with following our Lord, we can make the mistake of thinking we can do this through sheer effort and willpower alone. As such, there is the temptation of self-righteousness.

How many Christians and Catholics have we seen who succumbed to harshness towards their neighbor, thinking that they were like Jesus when He reprimanded the Pharisees and Scribes?

The truth that we can forget here is this: we are not Jesus, and we are not God.

Jesus can speak like that because He already knows the heart of those people. After all, He is both human and Divine.

But as for us, we must remember not to judge because we do not know everything.

Here are some of the reasons why we must follow Mary if we want to follow Christ:

1. We learn how to carry Divinity within

Mary was carrying Jesus in her womb when Elizabeth exclaimed:

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” – Luke 1:42-44 (NABRE)

From Mary, we learn also how to carry Jesus within us so that people may see Him through the witness of our lives.

What will people see when they find our presence? Will they also find the presence of God? Let Mary help us carry Jesus wherever we may go.

2. We learn to be silent

May witnessed many marvelous wonders in her life. She was greeted by an angel. She gave birth to Jesus Christ.

But she remained in silence and obedience to God for most of her life as she reflected upon everything God had given her.

May we also learn to be silent enough so we can pray and reflect about God.

3. We learn to suffer with Christ

It is said that aside from the wounds inflicted upon Him, what hurt Christ the most was to see the suffering of her mother.

It was Mary who witnessed the excruciating tortures of her Son. It was Mary who saw them pierce His heart.

What greater martyrdom is there than to suffer with Jesus Christ? To see the one you love in so much pain?

We also suffer in this life. But if we can unite our suffering with Christ’s passion, no suffering will be in vain.

4. We learn to be humble

Mary was exalted by God Himself to be the mother of His Son. She was chosen from all women to bear the Messiah.

But she remained humble throughout her life.

From Mary, we can learn humility. While she was holy and closest to Jesus, she did not become proud and self-righteous.

Even when people mocked her Son, she did not scold anyone.

Mary was joyful because she was humble. And because she was humble, God lifted her up!

Following Mary

Many in our world today are afraid of loving Mary for fear of not loving Jesus enough. They also fear that in giving due honor to her, they may be guilty of worshiping someone who is not God.

What they fail to realize is that Mary always points the way towards Jesus. She is like a lighthouse that shines a light so that others may see the way. While she bears the light, she knows she is not the light. But everyone who follows her soon arrives at the Light of Christ. By following Mary, we follow Jesus Himself. For isn’t Mary always to be found in Christ?

“Love the Immaculata! Confide in her and consecrate yourself to her without reservation. Strive to do everything as she herself would do in your place, especially by loving God as she loves Him. If you want to grow in perfection, you cannot advance by yourselves – you need a guide. Hence, when you go to God, go through Mary and with Mary!” -St. Maximilian Kolbe

Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the book Defending My Catholic Faith.

“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (NABRE)