The Spirit of God reveals beauty, truth and goodness in every encounter without fail. This is one reason the Apostles so deeply desired the accompaniment of Mary as they waited in the Upper Room.
Mary, filled with the Spirit, had a quiet attraction that drew them, interiorly, closer to God. They gathered around her for strength and insight as they pondered the full impact of Jesus’ resurrection.
The first disciples knew, intuitively, that Mary dispels darkness and confusion by her presence. She brings those around her to the Lord and to the Spirit of the Father.
As Pope St. John Paul II said, Mary “does not compete with the role of the Holy Spirit” but “is called by the same Spirit to co-operate in a maternal way with him.” The Holy Spirit “continually revives the Church’s memory of Jesus’ words to the beloved disciple: ‘Behold, your mother!’ and invites believers to love Mary as Christ loved her.” (Dec. 9, 1998)
The Holy Spirit invites us to gaze upon Mary, to know her and to love her. Those are powerful words. Surely, in some way, this drawing near to Mary was also part of setting the stage for Pentecost in the lives of the Apostles.
As John Paul II said, “As the bond with Mary grows deeper, so the action of the Spirit in the life of the Church becomes more fruitful.” (Dec. 9, 1998)
Mary not only leads us to a Christian way of life that bears fruit, but she also models for us a continual reliance on the Holy Spirit for the carrying out of our personal mission.
Mary, even though she is full of grace, also received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
John Paul II writes: “Without doubt, she was present at the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The Spirit who already dwelt in Mary, working marvels of grace in her, now comes down again into her heart, communicating the gifts and charisms necessary for the exercise of her spiritual motherhood.” (Dec. 9, 1998)
Even Mary had more room for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost! How much more do we need to make room for the Holy Spirit?
In an address from a Wednesday audience, John Paul II recounts how Mary’s “new motherhood” brought a mission that “demanded a renewed gift of the Spirit.” It is worth recounting here:
“Having already had a unique experience of the effectiveness of such a gift, the Blessed Virgin was in a condition to appreciate it more than anyone; indeed, she owed her motherhood to the mysterious intervention of the Spirit, who had made her the way by which the Saviour came into the world.
“Unlike those in the Upper Room who were waiting in fearful expectation, she, fully aware of the importance of her Son’s promise to the disciples (cf. John 14:16), helped the community to be well disposed to the coming of the ‘Paraclete.’
“Thus, while her unique experience made her ardently long for the Spirit’s coming, it also involved her in preparing the minds and hearts of those around her.
“During that prayer in the Upper Room, in an attitude of deep communion with the Apostles, with some women and with Jesus’ ‘brethren,’ the Mother of the Lord prays for the gift of the Spirit for herself and for the community.
“It was appropriate that the first outpouring of the Spirit upon her, which had happened in view of her divine motherhood, should be repeated and reinforced. Indeed, at the foot of the Cross Mary was entrusted with a new motherhood, which concerned Jesus’ disciples. It was precisely this mission that demanded a renewed gift of the Spirit. The Blessed Virgin therefore wanted it for the fruitfulness of her spiritual motherhood.” (May 28, 1997)
In sum, if Mary needed the Holy Spirit to carry out her personal mission, how much more do we?
Mary gave welcome to God, physically and spiritually. This is a task for Christians – to give God welcome. We give God welcome by reading His word, receiving His sacraments and by living a life of charity as a gift of self for others. We welcome God in our neighbor through works of mercy.
We especially give God welcome by asking for the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, come through Mary.
Sister John Paul Maher, OP, is the principal at Worthington St. Michael School and a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.