Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: June 9, 2025

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Scripture Text: Acts 1:12-14

After Jesus had been taken up to heaven, the Apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away.

When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today from the Acts of the Apostles tells of the faithful followers in the upper room in Jerusalem praying for the gift of the Spirit promised by Christ. Among them were Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was present in the upper room on Pentecost – the birth of the Church as she’d been present at Christ’s birth and death.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I recognize Mary and her role in my spiritual life as mother of Christ and mother of the Church?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us and to be our redeemer. And You chose Mary, the Blessed Virgin, to be His mother and His first and most faithful of disciples. She believed in Him even before He worked His first miracle. At the wedding at Cana, she asked him to perform a miracle, believing fully not only that He could but that He would because she asked. Her words to the servants that day are words every disciple, every member of His Church must heed: “Do whatever He tells you.” LORD, send the Spirit to infuse my being with loving faith so that I might be your Son’s disciple, believing in Him and calling others to do the same. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.