In the Catholic faith, devotion to the Virgin Mary holds a central place, and her role as the mother of Jesus Christ is revered by millions around the world. Yet, in honoring Mary, there is often a concern about overshadowing the glory of her Son, Jesus Christ. However, as Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a revered Doctor of the Church, beautifully explains, the veneration of Mary does not diminish the glory of Jesus; rather, it magnifies it. This article explores Saint Bernard's insight on the relationship between Mary and Jesus, highlighting how honoring the Mother serves to magnify the glory of the Son.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, in his profound theological wisdom, emphasized that honoring Mary does not take away from the glory of Jesus. "Let us not imagine that we obscure the glory of the Son by the great praise we lavish on the Mother; for the more she is honored, the greater is the glory of her Son." In these words, Saint Bernard affirms that the veneration of Mary and the glory of Jesus are inseparable. As the Mother of Christ, Mary’s role is integral to the salvation story, and her honor reflects directly on the greatness of her Son.
Mary, in her humility and obedience to God, played a vital role in the Incarnation of the Word. Without her, there would be no Christ. Therefore, honoring Mary is not an act of dividing glory but rather one of magnifying it. In exalting Mary, we are honoring the very vessel through which God entered the world, and by doing so, we are also praising the Savior who was born through her.
Mary is not just the Mother of Jesus; she is also the Mother of the Church. In accepting God's will to bear the Son of God, she played an indispensable part in the divine plan of salvation. Her "yes" to God at the Annunciation (Luke 1:38) initiated the path to our redemption. By honoring Mary, we acknowledge her crucial role in God's redemptive work, which ultimately culminated in the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
The great honor we give to Mary does not diminish Jesus’ glory but draws us closer to understanding the mystery of salvation. Saint Bernard’s teaching reminds us that to truly honor Jesus, we must also honor His Mother. Through her, we see a reflection of divine obedience, love, and humility, qualities that point us directly to Christ.
Saint Bernard’s statement, "There can be no doubt that whatever we say in praise of the Mother gives equal praise to the Son," underscores the inseparable nature of the relationship between Mary and Jesus. When we extol the virtues and holiness of Mary, we are, in essence, praising the divine plan that God enacted through her. Her purity, her faith, and her love for God are all reflections of her Son’s divine nature.
As we honor Mary for her faithfulness and role in the salvation of humanity, we are simultaneously honoring Jesus, who, in His divine wisdom, chose Mary to be His mother. The praise we give to Mary, therefore, is not separate from the worship we offer to Christ. It is an integral part of understanding the fullness of God's love and plan for the world.
Saint Bernard’s reflections encourage us to deepen our devotion to Mary not as an act of distraction from Christ but as a way of more fully embracing His glory. Mary is a path that leads us closer to Jesus, as she continually points us toward Him. Through her prayers, her intercession, and her example of faith, Mary draws us nearer to the heart of Jesus, where we find mercy, grace, and salvation.
In our spiritual life, devotion to Mary can help us live more fully in union with Christ. As the Church teaches, Mary’s role is to lead us to Jesus, to help us understand His love for us, and to guide us in our own journey of faith. In the same way that Jesus honored His Mother, we are invited to honor her, knowing that this brings greater glory to the Son.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux’s insight into the relationship between the honor of Mary and the glory of Jesus challenges us to reconsider our devotion. Rather than viewing the veneration of Mary as something that diminishes Christ, we are called to see it as a way of magnifying His glory. By honoring Mary, we are giving praise to the very work of salvation that she was chosen to be a part of. Mary’s life, her yes to God, and her devotion to her Son are all reflections of the greatness of Jesus, and in honoring her, we are brought closer to His eternal love.
As we reflect on the words of Saint Bernard, let us commit to deepening our devotion to Mary as a way to honor Jesus. Let our praise of the Mother always lead us to the glory of the Son. May our lives be a living testament to the union of Mary and Jesus, and may our faith be strengthened as we follow the path of love and devotion that Mary exemplifies for all of us.
