Mary is the “Ianua Coeli“, The Gate of Heaven:

Mary is called the Gate of Heaven, because it was through her that our Lord passed from heaven to earth. The Prophet Ezechiel, prophesying of Mary, says, “the gate shall be closed, it shall not be opened, and no man shall pass through it, since the Lord God of Israel has entered through it – and it shall be closed for the Prince, the Prince Himself shall sit in it.”

Now this is fulfilled, not only in our Lord having taken flesh from her, and being her Son, but, moreover, in that she had a place in the economy of Redemption; it is fulfilled in her spirit and will, as well as in her body. Eve had a part in the fall of man, though it was Adam who was our representative, and whose sin made us sinners. It was Eve who began, and who tempted Adam. Scripture says: “The woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful to behold; and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to her husband, and he did eat.” It was fitting then in God’s mercy that, as the woman began the destruction of the world, so woman should also begin its recovery, and that, as Eve opened the way for the fatal deed of the first Adam, so Mary should open the way for the great achievement of the second Adam, even our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to save the world by dying on the cross for it. Hence Mary is called by the holy Fathers a second and a better Eve, as having taken that first step in the salvation of mankind which Eve took in its ruin.

How, and when, did Mary take part, and the initial part, in the world’s restoration? It was when the Angel Gabriel came to her to announce to her the great dignity which was to be her portion. Saint Paul bids us “present our bodies to God as a reasonable service.” We must not only pray with our lips, and fast, and do outward penance, and be chaste in our bodies; but we must be obedient, and pure in our minds. And so, as regards the Blessed Virgin, it was God’s will that she should undertake willingly and with full understanding to be the Mother of our Lord, and not to be a mere passive instrument whose maternity would have no merit and no reward. The higher our gifts, the heavier our duties. It was no light lot to be so intimately near to the Redeemer of men, as she experienced afterwards when she suffered with him. Therefore, weighing well the Angel’s words before giving her answer to them – first she asked whether so great an office would be a forfeiture of that Virginity which she had vowed. When the Angel told her no, then, with the full consent of a full heart, full of God’s love to her and her own lowliness, she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.” It was by this consent that she became the Gate of Heaven.

by Blessed John Henry Newman

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Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 20, 2024, where he reflects on a vision from Revelation 4:1 where John sees “an open door to heaven,” which symbolizes the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is venerated as the “Gate of Heaven.” Today’s votive Mass celebrates this title of Our Lady. Father explained that this “open door” is intentional, representing God’s desire for us to have a loving mother who guides us to eternal life.

Father emphasized devotion to Mary as essential for spiritual growth, likening her to a mother aiding life’s development and perfection. He highlighted how Mary intercedes for sinners, helping them turn back to God, and releases souls from purgatory, especially those devoted to her. Father cited St. Maximilian Kolbe, who taught that total consecration to Mary facilitates a direct path to heaven. He encouraged surrender to Mary as a child to a mother, opening the “door to heaven.”

Father concluded by urging prayers through Mary for sinners, souls in purgatory, and ourselves to deepen our Marian devotion for a sanctified life leading to eternal glory.

Catechism Links
CCC 2675 – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2675.htm – Devotion to Mary as Mother of God.
CCC 1030 – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1030.htm – Purgatory and its purification.
CCC 491 – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/491.htm – The Immaculate Conception and Mary’s role in salvation.

00:00 – Introduction and Opening Prayer
00:10 – Our Lady as the Gate of Heaven
00:58 – Devotion and Salvation Through Our Lady
01:31 – Freeing Souls and Perfect Consecration
02:39 – Prayers for Souls and Heaven’s Grace

Ave Maria!

Mass: Wednesday in the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time – Wkdy
Readings:  – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112024.cfm
1st: rev 4:1-11
Resp: psa 150:1-6
Gsp: luk 19:11-28

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=999

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The post Mary: Heaven’s Open Door for All – Nov 20 – Homily – Fr Matthias first appeared on AirMaria.com.