The Holy Name of Mary: Beloved and Bitter

Today we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, and I want to begin by reminding you that in Scripture, names are never accidental. When God names someone, or when parents are inspired to give a particular name, it carries profound meaning and purpose. Think of Abraham, whose name means "father of many nations," or Peter, the "rock" upon whom Christ would build His church. Names in biblical times revealed character, destiny, and God's divine plan. Today, we'll discover how Mary's Hebrew name, Miriam, carries a beautiful and complex meaning that illuminates her entire role in salvation history.

 

The name Mary comes from the Hebrew "Miriam," and one of its primary meanings is "beloved of God" or "loved by the Lord." How perfectly this describes our Blessed Mother! From the moment the angel Gabriel appeared to her in Luke 1:28, saying "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee," we see God's special love for Mary. She is the beloved daughter, chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Savior. In Sirach 24:23-31, we read of Wisdom dwelling among God's people, and the Church has always seen Mary as the seat of Wisdom, the beloved one in whom God chose to dwell. Her very name proclaims that she is cherished by the Almighty, set apart for the most sacred mission in human history.

 

But Miriam also carries another meaning: "bitterness" or "sorrow." This might seem contradictory at first, but it reveals the profound depth of Mary's calling. Yes, she was beloved, but her love would be tested through suffering. When the infant Jesus was presented in the temple, Simeon prophesied to Mary: "And you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Mary's name foretold not only her blessed status but also her participation in her Son's passion. She would stand at the foot of the cross, experiencing the bitter sorrow of watching her beloved Son die for our sins. Her name encompasses both the sweetness of divine favor and the bitter cup of sacrificial love.

 

Throughout the New Testament, we encounter several women named Mary, and each embodies different aspects of this beautiful name. Mary of Bethany, who sat at Jesus' feet and anointed Him with precious oil, shows us the "beloved" aspect—the soul who chooses the better part in intimate relationship with Christ. Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons were cast out, represents both the bitterness of sin and the sweetness of redemption. She experienced the sorrow of the crucifixion but became the first witness to the resurrection. Each Mary in Scripture reflects the dual nature of the name: beloved by God, yet called to share in both joy and sorrow as faithful disciples.

 

In our reading from Sirach 24, Wisdom speaks of taking root among God's chosen people, growing like a cedar and spreading fragrance like incense. The Church sees Mary as the perfect embodiment of this divine Wisdom. She is beloved because she received God's Word, but she also understood that this calling would involve suffering. Her response in Luke 1:38, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word," shows wisdom that embraces both the sweetness of God's favor and the potential bitterness of His will. Mary's name reveals that true wisdom involves accepting God's plan completely, knowing it will bring both blessing and sacrifice.

 

When we understand the full meaning of Mary's name, her fiat becomes even more remarkable. She wasn't just saying yes to becoming the Mother of God—she was accepting both the beloved status and the bitter sorrow that her name foretold. She knew from Scripture, from the prophecies, that the Messiah would be "a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." In saying yes to bearing Him, she was saying yes to sharing in that sorrow. Yet she trusted completely in God's love. Her name Miriam—beloved and bitter—was fulfilled perfectly in her life, and her yes to God shows us how to embrace our own calling, whatever joy or sorrow it may bring.

 

As we honor the Most Holy Name of Mary today, let us remember that God knows each of our names too. He calls us by name, just as He called Mary. In Isaiah 43:1, the Lord declares, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." And in Isaiah 49:16, God says, "Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Like her, we are beloved of God, chosen for His purposes. And like her, our discipleship may involve both sweetness and bitterness, joy and sorrow. The question is: will we respond like Mary? When God calls your name, when He invites you into His plan, will you say "Let it be done unto me according to your word"? Mary's holy name teaches us that being beloved of God doesn't exempt us from suffering—it prepares us to suffer with love, knowing that our names are written in heaven and that our faithful yes, like Mary's, can bring salvation to the world. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. -F.D.