Mary has important role in Christian living

– Nuncio at Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

The testimony of the Virgin Mary prompts the question, are people capable of recognising all the good that God has put in their lives? Are they capable of being amazed by the work God has done in their lives and in and through others?

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Santiago De Wit Guzmán prompted the congregation to introspection as he presided at the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebrated Friday, December 8 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain.

Concelebrating the Mass were Vicar General, Cathedral Administrator Fr Martin Sirju and clergy of the Archdiocese. Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon who would have presided at the Mass was out of the country.

In the homily, Archbishop De Wit Guzmán said the Word of God is aimed at salvation and through His Son, God reveals the magnitude of His love. The death and Resurrection of Jesus removes the power of sin and death and opens the door of eternal life in God’s presence.

“The Immaculate Virgin stands before us as a privileged witness of this promise and its fulfilment. As announced in the second reading Ephesians [1:3–6, 11–12] by our Baptism we have been associated with the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ, in Him we have been blessed with all kinds of spiritual and heavenly gifts.”

Through Baptism, the faithful become like Mary, incorporated into Christ so the work of redemption shines. This is why the Virgin Mary plays an important role in the Christian life, she is the mother at the foot of the cross whom Christ entrusts to us. She is capable of comforting and mitigating the helplessness felt in the face of life’s setbacks.

Archbishop De Wit Guzmán said, “she is not only the one who invites us to trust in God and His plans for us. She is the first to remind us that God is truthful because the work He has accomplished in Her, the Virgin Mary, He will also accomplish in us.”

Although God’s providence was exercised in Mary, this did not stop her freedom to fully accept what God wanted to do in her. “The exercise of our freedom is necessary to recognise the work of God in our lives; to accept with joy and enthusiasm the task of announcing the Gospel,” he said.

He pointed to the example Mary gives in her response to God. Catholics should never lose the ability to be amazed by what God has done in their lives and what He expects.

This approach, he added will keep thanksgiving to God alive and avoid using mediocrity as an excuse to renounce holiness in their lives. The Virgin Mary reminds today that holiness is not only possible “but the most certain path to happiness”.

Mary reminds of the need for faithfulness in the commitment to life so the gift of God may grow, the work of grace may shine and fidelity to the small and important things that nourishes vocation.

Archbishop De Wit Guzmán said those who have consecrated their lives to the service of God should also not lose the ability to be amazed by what God does with them despite their infidelities because “by the trust He unconditionally renews in us by His commitment in making us precious instruments of His mercy.” It is necessary for all children of God to renew their thanksgiving to the Lord of light and be thankful for His providence in their lives.

Archbishop De Wit Guzmán called Mary the “perfect dwelling place” for the Messiah and like her, Catholics are called to be the dwelling place of God through the Spirit, conforming their humanity to the model of Christ.

Before the liturgy began, a banner was erected of Our Lady of Guadalupe which was donated by the Mexican Ambassador Victor Hugo Morales. Her feast day was December 12.

After Mass, Archbishop De Wit Guzmán led a procession to the Marian grotto within the church and a ‘Prayer of Dedication to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception’ was recited. —LPG