Neste sexto dia da Novena, celebramos a Virgem Maria, Mãe da Reconciliação.
Conclamamos a comunidade cristã a reconhecer e invocar Maria como “Mãe da Reconciliação”. Os textos, embora se enquadrem harmoniosamente no caráter penitencial típico, destacam a relação íntima entre Cristo, que reconciliou o mundo com seu “precioso sangue”, e Maria, invocada como “reconciliadora” e “refúgio dos pecadores”.
O Lecionário apresenta Jo 19,25-27 como um trecho evangélico, lido na perspectiva da “entrega”: todos os discípulos que invocam misericórdia são confiados a Maria, e os discípulos sabem que encontram nela a “Mãe da Reconciliação”.
Na primeira leitura, ressoa o convite de Paulo a “reconciliar-se com Deus” (2 Cor 5,17-21). Uma reconciliação que passa pela “cruz, sinal da aliança estabelecida entre Deus e toda a carne que existe na terra”.
Ao examinarmos os textos eucológicos, percebemos que, desde o momento em que a paz entre Deus e a humanidade pecadora foi estabelecida no ventre virginal, é uma sucessão de eventos em que a Virgem participa ativamente da redenção obra do Filho. Por isso, ela é proclamada “sócia de Deus… na obra da reconciliação”.
From this recognition arises the attitude of the faithful, who, aware that they find in Mary “compassionate with our misery,” “a heart full of mercy for sinners,” as the Preface expresses:“Turning their gaze to her maternal charity, they take refuge in her and implore forgiveness. Contemplating her spiritual beauty, they struggle against the dark allure of evil. Meditating on her words and examples, they are drawn to observe the commandments of the Son.”In its simplicity, the text outlines the constant path to reconciliation for believers throughout all times and places. A journey that culminates and is continually sustained by the Eucharist, because it is through participation in the “sacrifice of expiation and praise” and thus in the “communion with the body and blood of Christ” that believers experience the “sacraments of reconciliation.”Mary’s exemplary life emerges clearly from her role as the instrument at the beginning of new times, that of redemption. She who was present at the inception of this new era is the same one who, in the time of the Church, welcomes and “reconciles” sinners, guiding them to the Eucharist where the gift of the Father’s mercy and the reward of eternal redemption are realized.The exemplary Virgin, attractive by her “maternal charity,” her “spiritual beauty,” and “her words and examples,” invites us to marvel and admire at the mission of the Church which, in every era, exercises its ministry entrusted to it with “maternal charity” towards all who wish to experience anew God’s love. She shines with the “beauty” with which her Lord continually seeks to combat “the dark allure of evil.” And thus she strives to fulfill Christ’s Word by contemplating the words and example of the Virgin.