Mary is our Mother by virtue of “a bond superior to the closest ties of blood”

The following is an excerpt from the message that Pope Francis sent to the participants of the annual Youth Festival, which took place in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, from July 26 - 30, 2023, on the theme "Behold my mother and my brothers" (Mt 12:49) :

I joyfully address you who are participating in the Youth Festival in Medjugorje, an occasion to celebrate and renew your faith. I hope you will live these days as a spiritual pilgrimage that will lead you to encounter the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist, in Adoration, in Confession, in biblical catechesis, in silent prayer and the Rosary, and also through testimonies.

The theme proposed for your reflection this year is: "Here are my mother and my brethren!” (Mt 12:49). The evangelist Matthew recounts that while Jesus is speaking to the crowd, someone tells him that his mother and brothers are standing outside looking for him. Jesus responds with a question: “Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?” (Mt 12:48). And pointing to his disciples, he says: "Here are my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Mt 12:49-50).

We are very struck by Jesus' gesture and words because, at first sight, they appear to be a lack of respect towards his Mother and his relatives. In reality, with this expression He wanted to show us that it is adherence to the Father's will that establishes us in union with Him, a bond superior to the closest ties of blood. Dear young people, God's will is a priceless treasure! That is why the Virgin Mary forged a bond of kinship with Jesus even before she gave birth to him. She becomes disciple and mother of her Son the moment she accepts the words of the Angel, responding: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). From that moment, her whole life was a continuous fulfillment of God's will.

And yet, we often find ourselves in contrast with this will; at times we struggle to understand it and accept it, we would like a different life, without challenges, without sufferings; we would like ourselves to be different, perhaps more intelligent, richer in talents or natural aptitudes. However, for us there is no will better than that of the Father, which is the plan of love for us in view of His kingdom and our complete happiness. 

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Message of Pope Francis to the participants in the Youth Festival at Medjugorje, June 29, 2023