Book overview (redemptoris mater) by Frankline Shikami

BOOK OVERVIEW

Book Title: redemptoris mater

(an encyclical by Pope John Paul II)

By Frankline Shikami

“Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord…” the movie director in my mind during this scene quickly said, “Cut, cut, cut…Mary… you are supposed to argue with the angel for about an hour. Be tough, don’t give in so easily…” in the same argument with the director, Mary humbly continued, “…Be it done unto me according to thy word.” Wow! a very simple answer. Someone probably whispered to the director, " It is because of this YES that the works of our salvation manifested". That's why he didn't throw a blow.

St. John Paul II issued an encyclical letter dated 25^th March 1987 to the universal church. He titled it “redemptoris mater” which translates to “The mother of our redeemer.” He uses different expressions to talk about our mother. Some of them include:

Theotokos- the throne of God carrying the Lord and giving him humanity.

Hodegetria- As the way that leads to Christ and manifest him

Deeis- As a praying figure in an attitude of intercession and as a sign of the divine presence on the journey of the faithful until the day of the Lord.

Pokrov- As a protectress who stretches out her mantle over the people.

Glykophilousa- She embraces Christ with tenderness.

In this book overview, I offer three exclusive teachings of the saintly pope. They touch on women, the church and the entire world as pilgrims. I believe his words and teachings in “redemptoris mater” would help to heal the world and console it from its wounds.

To begin, I am one person who appreciates the role of women in the society. I enjoy their company, stories, laughter, fun and to some extent dramas. With all this in mind, I  realized that the saintly pope had something unique to teach women from the account of Mary as their role model. He writes,

“Women by coming to Mary, they find in her the secret of living their femininity with dignity and of achieving their own true advancement.” He then continues, “In the face of Mary, the church sees the face of women as the reflection of a beauty which mirrors to the loftiest sentiments of which the human heart; the self-offering totality of love; the strength that is capable of bearing the greatest; limitless fidelity and tireless devotion to work; the ability to combine penetrating intuition with words of support and encouragement”

Mary goes as far as showing women that motherhood is a unique gift. The instance of finding the boy Jesus at the temple could have possibly led to a slap in a normal parent- child circumstance. She however understood that Jesus needed a more intimate time with the father. Secondly, Mary is a model to the church. Far from the church being human and divine, the church is also sacramental and institutional, the believer and the believed. She is however a model who is held firmly. If one is keen, you may realize that most of the church’s pastors are male. On the other hand, the church is referred to as a mother. Others go to an extent of using feminine personal pronouns to refer it. As a model in the first place, she experienced several instances of swords piercing her hear on the account of Christ (Luke 2: 22-40). The pope, quotes St. Augustine of Hippo while relating the church to Mary. He writes,

“Like a pilgrim in a foreign land, the church presses forward amid the persecution of the world and the consolations of God, announcing the cross and death of he Lord until he comes”

It is the maternal love of the church that makes it triumph in tribulations, she holds her pains the same way Mary did. When an infant cries in the odd hours of the night, the mother would never neglect that cry. She would leave the warmth of the blanket and with sleep in her eyes and hold her crying child. The same way, the church keeps her attention to the cries of her children. No matter the time, she would wipe the tears and embrace her children in her bosom.

 

Lastly, St. John Paul II had a significant teaching to he entire human race from Mary’s maternal care. Quoting from the dogmatic constitution “Lumen Gentium” of the second Vatican council, the pope says,

“The followers of Christ still strive to increase in holiness by conquering sin, and so they rise their eyes to Mary who shines fourth to the whole community of elect as a model of virtues”

Her maternal concern is visible when she is present at (John 2:1-11) the wedding feast at Canna, celebrating the fruit of love. Two of her statements really captured me, that is, “They don’t have wine” and “Do whatever he tells you.” These statements remind us that we reach Jesus through Christ. The pope would then say,

“Since by the virtue of divine election Mary is the earthly mother of the father’s consubstantial son. She is a mother to us in the order of grace.

 

Conclusion

 The one who chooses the protagonist in the story of Christ is not my movie director, but God himself. If you are a sensitive person you would discover that the director is egocentric but God is not like that. The maternal mediation and love of Mary is unfathomable. We as Christians are called to share in her love and humility.

Prayer

Loving mother of our redeemer,

gate of heaven, star of the sea, 

assist your people who have

 fallen yet strive to rise again

To the wonderment of nature you

bore your creator.

Amen