Mary in the Resurrection of the Lord

Mary in the Resurrection of the Lord

The theme is that of the joy that springs from the resurrection of Christ: the whole mystery celebrated underscores this dimension with various emphases. The “Rejoice” of the resurrection gives definitive form to the Kaire (“Rejoice”) of Christ’s conception.

The readings recount the joyful proclamation of the resurrection (Mt 28:1-10), which will find its definitive fulfillment in the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-5). Meanwhile, the Virgin is admired as the city of God in which justice dwells: having borne the sorrows of her Son even to the cross, she now rejoices in the greatest serenity.

In this perspective, the Church, gathered in the joyful memorial of the Virgin, recalls the resurrection of the Son, which restored joy to the whole world, filled the heart of the Mother with ineffable joy, allowed the newborn Church to contemplate her Lord with trembling exultation, and now, over the course of time, she guides her faithful toward the possession of eternal joy.

It is a joy that springs from the paschal mystery and unfolds in three moments.

First, in the Virgin Mary, who, after sharing the immense sorrow of the Son when the spotless Lamb offered Himself for us on the cross, was likewise filled with ineffable joy at the resurrection of Christ. That is why the Church sings: Rejoice, Virgin Mother, and greets her as Mother of light.

Second, in the Church: first of all in the newborn Church, which contemplated with eager exultation the glorious face of her immortal Lord. And, secondly, in the Church of every time and place, which, strengthened by the very faith of Mary, can be guided to the possession of eternal joy so as to delight in the joy of life without end.

Third, in the whole world, which, entrusted to the industrious hands of man and destined for the final transfiguration, was flooded with joyful light in the glorious resurrection of the Son.

The exemplarity of the Virgin Mary is also a mystery that is celebrated, above all in three areas.

The resurrection of Christ is a wonderful exaltation of Mary’s faith: because she believed and conceived, and because she believed, she then awaited the resurrection. The life of the Church, called to bring Christ to birth in the hearts of the faithful, must be modeled on this same dimension, awaiting the radiant day when, once the darkness of death has vanished, the redemption of Christ will have reached every creature.

The attitude with which Mary fearlessly awaited the paschal victory becomes exemplary for the Church of all times and places. For this reason the faithful, taking part in the memorial celebration of Easter, ask for the confirmation in us of the gift of true faith, so as to bring the mystery of Easter to fulfillment in their lives and in created realities.

The invitation the Church addresses to Mary, “Rejoice (laetare),” is the same one that is repeated to the Christian community throughout its journey: like Mary, the Church too rejoices in the life of faith of her children, who recognize in Christ the God-man, the Son of the Virgin, and invoke the power of His resurrection so as to be guided to the possession of eternal joy.

Mary’s joy in the Resurrection is emphasized by Paul VI in the Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus, which presents Mary as a model of paschal faith and hope for the whole Church.

Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian apparitions, and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology.