Mary’s Titles
Biblical reflections on the titles of Mary in the Litany of Loreto
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Chapter 8: Cause of Joy
Cause of joy is the 23rd title of Mary in the Litany of Loreto.
What does the Bible tell us about joy and gladness?
The Bible tells us that God is the source of joy: ‘God, my joy and my delight. (Psalm 43:4). The Psalms express rejoicing in God who gives joy. (Psalm 32:11, Psalm 100:1-2). Isaiah rejoices: ‘my soul shall be joyful in my God’ (Isaiah 61:10). Ezra records the great joy when the Temple was re-built (Ezra 6:16). God was their source of joy as ‘the Lord had filled them with joy’ (Ezra 6:22).
Jesus was the cause of their joy by bringing healing to the sick (Matthew 4:23). Joy came to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). Zacchaeus felt joy when he repented (Luke 19:1-10). Peter received Jesus’ forgiveness (John 21:15-19). Jesus told the disciples to ‘rejoice that your names are written in heaven’ (Luke 10:20b). Jesus said those who serve him faithfully will be told: ‘enter thou into the joy of thy lord’ (Matthew 25:21 AV).
The Bible tells us to rejoice because of all that God has done. We have been reconciled to God (Romans 5:11). God ‘richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment’ (1 Timothy 6:17). This does not mean that our lives will be free from difficulties (James 1:2-4). Happiness depends on what happens, but we can feel joy even in difficult situations. St Paul in prison wrote: ‘Rejoice!’ (Philippians 4:4). The Apostles rejoiced when in prison for preaching! (Acts 5:41). We should rejoice when we go through difficult times (I Peter 4:13) and know you ‘are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy’ (I Peter 1:8). Jesus said: ‘Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete’ (John 16:24). Peter Waddell writes: ‘To be a Christian is to share in the joy of Jesus’.
Mary’s life had times of great joy as well as times of deep sorrow. In the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary we meditate on five joyful ‘scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary’, recorded in the Bible which are The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56), The Nativity (Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-20), The Presentation (Luke 2:22-38) and The Finding of the Child Jesus (Luke 2:41-51). The Five Glorious Mysteries are five joyful events.
How can Mary be described as ‘Cause of our joy’?
We can recognise Mary as the ‘cause of our joy’, because she said ‘yes’ to God and so the incarnation happened and Jesus was born. God brought joy to the world through the incarnation of His Son (Luke 1:38).The Pynson Ballad encourages pilgrims to Walsingham to remember ‘the great joy’ (v 5) of Our Lady’s Annunciation. Through Mary’s acceptance of God’s will for her life she became ‘cause of our joy’ because under God she gave us Jesus the Source of all joy. Mary was the first one to enjoy the presence of Jesus. She shared great joy on Easter Sunday. Mary is the cause of our joy because she agreed to be the Mother of Jesus.
What does this mean for us?
Mary the Mother of Jesus is seen as a ‘type’ of the Church. St Ambrose (339-397) said ‘Mary is explicitly said to be the type figure of the Church, which in effect means that she is the Church’s pattern or model.’ This has great significance as like Mary, we need to receive the joy of Jesus so that we can share this joy with others.
Jesus told us how to live in His presence and experience His joy (John 15:9-12). In difficult times, we must remember that we do not need to lose the joy of the Lord in our hearts. (James 1:2-4). We should abide in Jesus (John 14:23). Is joy seen in you? ‘In Your presence is fullness of joy’ (Psalm 16:11). We will recognize the presence of the Lord by praying more in our daily lives; the fruit of the Holy Spirit, including joy will grow in us (Galatians 5:22-23). Will you pray more? We can feel tired, when it is wonderful to experience ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength,’ (Nehemiah 8:10) because the Lord strengthens us. How is the Lord calling you to serve? The definition of joy in this song is challenging: J-O-Y, J-O-Y surely this must be: Jesus first, Yourself last, And Others in-between.
We experience joy when we praise the Lord (Psalm 34:1). There is ‘joy in heaven’ (Luke 15: 7) when a sinner repents and knows joy in receiving forgiveness. We experience joy realising the wonderful providential care of God (Romans 8:28). At The Stations of the Cross remembering Jesus’s suffering, we can know joy in realising afresh the Lord’s love (Hebrews 12:2). God’s provision for us gives us joy. Paul rejoiced when the Macedonian Christians gave a gift (II Corinthians 8:2). We rejoice that God provides for us; we can then be a cause of joy for others by being generous givers (II Corinthians 9:7).The disciples experienced joy when they returned from preaching the good news of Jesus. (Luke 10:17a). We can share in that joy by sharing our faith with other people (I Peter 3: 15). Who is Jesus calling you to witness to?
Just as Mary carried Jesus, so we need to carry the joy of the Lord in our hearts and let that joy flow out. Then like Mary, as individuals and as Churches we will be a ‘cause of joy’ for others by helping them know more of the love of Jesus, who is the source of joy. How can you be a ‘cause of joy’?
Mary, Cause of Joy, pray for us.
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About the Book
This engaging read encourages deep reflection and active response; exploring the deep Biblical meaning of the 50 titles of Mary in the Litany of Loreto; discovering their symbolic meaning and relevance in our lives, so we grow closer to God. Reading this will help you grow into a closer relationship with Jesus, increase in Biblical knowledge as well as develop in understanding and appreciation of his Mother Mary, through focusing on her titles. We discover that Mary points us to Jesus, saying at the wedding at Cana ‘do whatever he tells you’ (John 2:5). There is no other book that explores all these titles of Mary.
About the Author
Elizabeth Grace Bryson is a Reader, a Licensed Lay Minister and an Anna Chaplain in the Canterbury Diocese at the Parish of St Michael and All Angels, Maidstone, where her husband Fr Neil Bryson is the Vicar. They have three sons and two granddaughters. Elizabeth has been a pilgrim to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham since 2004. When first reading the Litany of Our Lady she wondered ‘why and how do we address Mary with these titles?’ Her journey of Bible Study, research, reading and reflection has led to this book.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts 2:1 Degree with the Open University with Church History: Religion in Victorian Britain. She has a Certificate of Higher Education in Ministry including Theological Reflection; Preaching; Developing and Applying Knowledge of the Bible; Doctrine; Exercising Pastoral Care; and, Living the Christian Life - the Inner Journey and Discovering God’s Call. Elizabeth was educated at The Abbey School, Reading, when her ‘A’ Levels included Religious Knowledge. At The College of St Matthias, Bristol, she studied Complementary Theology, English and Education for a Certificate of Education; becoming a Teacher of young children in Berkshire Schools.