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Clothed in Our Mother’s Mantle

This Sunday’s Gospel says that those clothed in the wedding garment are admitted to the feast. Saint Augustine tells us that this wedding garment is charity, or love, “that springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.” (Sermon 90).

Charity is the most important of all the virtues. St. Thomas defines charity as our friendship with God which unites us to Him. It is the virtue that enables us to love God above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves. When we are clothed in supernatural charity, we reflect God and we glorify Him. So it is, therefore, no wonder we need to be clothed in the garment of this virtue to be admitted to the Heavenly Feast.

No one loves God more than the Blessed Virgin Mary. She loved Him perfectly, and She continues to love Him perfectly as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. She also loves us and, as Our Heavenly Mother, wants to see us among those present in Heaven.

When Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego, She said “Listen, and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son, do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your Fountain of Life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?”

When we find ourselves weak like St. Juan Diego—and lacking in a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith, we can turn to Our Lady, Our Mother, and ask Her to clothe us in Her mantle—Her wedding garment. If we entrust our lives to Her, She will hide us under Her mantle and clothe us in Her supernatural Love. In this way, when we arrive to the Heavenly Feast clothed in Her charity, we will surely be admitted. For, God cannot refuse His own Mother.

Yours in Christ,
Father Arthur

Readings for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Lectionary 142