The Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 17th Week : Saturday*

*The Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major*

*Gospel : Lk 11:27-28*

*First Reading : Rev 21:1-5a*

*The Holy Church/Temple is the Symbolic Womb of Blessed Mother*

*1) Blessed is the Womb that Carried You*

These are the Words which are found in today's Gospel

A woman from the Crowd, appreciating the Mary for her mission in bringing Jesus into the World 

In fact the Womb of blessed Mother became the First Tabernacle in the world, where we have the presence of Jesus. 

In this sense the Womb of blessed Mother really becomes the blessed and Holy 

*2) The Holy Church is the Womb of our Blessed Mother*

Mary is called as the *Mother of the Church*

If she is the Mother of the Church, the Holy Church becomes the Womb of Mary where the faithful are taken care of under the Motherly protection and care of our blessed Mother 

The Church as the Womb of our mother is well protected by our blessed mother and we are safe in the womb of our blessed mother 

We really blessed to belong to the Church, which is the symbolic womb of our blessed mother, where we get everything to live and good and holy life 

*3) The Temple as the Womb of our Blessed Mother*

Today we celebrate the feast of the dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major 

A temple or a basilica has the tabernacle, which symbolizes the presence of Christ 

So the temple is nothing but the womb of blessed mother in a symbolic way where we experience the presence of Jesus 

So evey temple in the World, represents the Womb of our blessed mother, who give us generosly her son, Jesus Christ

*4) Womb is the place where life begins and Grows*

It is the womb which gives life, nurtures the life and allows to grow 

Womb is the symbol of life and growth 

So with Mary, with the catholic church and with the Holy Temple, the life of faith begins, it grows and and it becomes strong

This is the miracle of the Womb and power of the Womb  

*5) Womb is the safest place in the World*

We know from our experience, womb becomes the safest place for a child 

As long as the child is in the womb, the child is comfortable and lives in a peaceful way 

It is protected from all dangerous situations 

Likewise for a Christian or to the follower of Jesus, the Holy Church, the Temple is the safest place, because it gives every type of protection and saves us from the snares of the devil 

The Church and the Temple is the gateway to heaven

*6) Am I Blessed to be found in the womb of our blessed Mother?*

Do I feel comfortable to take shelter in the Church, which is the Womb of our blessed Mother? 

What are my challenges to remain peaceful in the Church? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*