Jean Agbortem
If there is anyone who knew Jesus well, that person is the Blessed Virgin Mary his mother. If there is any one who trained Jesus as a child, that person is Mary. From the time of the apostles Mary has always been given the place of honour not only in their teachings but also in their hearts.
Her devotion has always helped to bring many closer to Jesus because they see in Mary, the image of Christ.
Marian devotion was introduced to Christians by our Lord himself in the pains of Calvary in the gospel of John 19:26-27. This Jesus did to erase any doubt of Elizabeth honour to Mary as the mother of her God and her mother. Lk 1:39-45. The reality and purpose of Jesus confiding is mother to his beloved apostle was not just to be a mother but was also to be a guide to the apostles and the whole humanity.
This comes after Jesus has promised them the fatherly care of the Holy Spirit. To make sure the apostles were not orphans, Jesus handed them to his mother so that they may follow her instructions and direction just as he did to accomplish their Christ-like missions. As from this points, we can see Mary in the Assembly of the Apostles not only as their mother but as the guide. Acts 1:14.
Devotion to Mary simply means honouring her, seeking her intercession and seeing Jesus through her. Mary's role in the salvation of humanity can only be understood with due humility and docility to the Holy Spirit who reveals the truth to us. Our devotion to Mary therefore, introduces the real picture of our Lord to us since she is his mother.
She did not only accompany Jesus in his mission but like John the Baptist, she introduced him to humanity.
Her decision to go and visit Elizabeth her cousin was a gesture to introduce Jesus to the world.
It was in this meeting and her stay with her cousin that we hear the honour that was given to both of them. "Blessed are you amongst women and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Lk 1:42.
Mary is also seen in the temple introducing the child Jesus to Simeon whom the Holy spirit has promised will not die without seeing the promised messiah. Lk 2:22-35.
At the marriage feast of Cana, the introduction of her son was completed in her commandment, "Do whatever he tells you" Jn 2:5. It should be understood that it was only after Jesus has started performing his miracles that he was known by the people, which therefore means Jesus was not known to the people by this time.
Mary not only being a mother of God but the revelatory of God (as I can say) acted here not only as a mediatrice but as an introducer of her son. This shows the love she had for humanity. This clearly states her acceptance of the divine role that was given to her by God through the angel. Being devoted to Mary is therefore not only praying for her intercession but is strongly accepting her maternal companionship that was given to us by our Lord Jesus.
Our Lord who wants us to be where he is cannot go to heaven without giving us the same instrument that helped him in reaching heaven. He did this that we may see him through his mother, that we may obey his mother just as he did, Lk 1:51.
So in all, Marian devotion introduces Jesus to us and also present us to Jesus with the aid and direction of our blessed mother. The lack of wine at the marriage feast, can be seen as our weaknesses, our problems, hardship, etc., and as a mother who knows and loves us, (since we all are Mary's children) our devotion to her motivates the same action that took place at the marriage feast and God will not fail to grant our prayers through Mary to Jesus.
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