Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

The Roman Catholic Church is a branch of the Christian Church that accepts the Pope as its leader and is based in the Vatican in Rome. He had been ordained as a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. A Roman Catholic is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Like her, Mary was a Roman Catholic.

From a theological perspective, we can say that God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus because she, herself, was the Immaculate Conception. This means that she was the only fitting mother for God in the flesh. Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother in a miraculous way in that she was conceived without sin.

As a Roman Catholic we should pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary because she is our Mother in Heaven. She is called as a Queen of Angels. In the Eucharist we also ask Mary to intercede our prayers and also to the Blessed Joseph her spouse. God chose Mary to be the Mother of Jesus so that through her Son we will be saved. Let us trust in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour and return to Him. Repent because the Kingdom of God is close at hand. This salvation is found in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

In the Acts of the Apostles we can find the presence of Mary, “With one heart all these joined constantly in prayer, together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers” (Acts 1: 14) – Close relation of Jesus – not necessarily Mary’s children but possibly near relation, cousins perhaps (Mat 12: 46 – 50). Mary has been throughout the century a great help to all the Saints. We can see that in the lives of all Saints in the Catholic Church, they are always a deep devotion to Mary. And one of the prayers is a Rosary. Whenever we talk about Mary it is always good to stick to the Scriptures. If we look at the New Testament, we actually do not find Mary being mentioned very often. 

However, if we look Scripture more closely and carefully, we can see that Mary is present in all the three (3) Keys Moments of the Christians Mystery of salvation, namely the Incarnation, the Paschal Mystery and the Pentecost. The Incarnation is the moment when God became man, the Word became incarnated and the person of our Redeemer is constituted. The Paschal Mystery is the moment when this God-man (Jesus) achieves the work of our Salvation by destroying sin and bringing New Life. The Pentecost is the moment when the work fulfilled by Jesus on the cross is made present and working in the life of the church and each members of the Body of Christ through the outpouring and power of the Holy Spirit.

Mary in the Incarnation.

In the Gospel of St Luke we can read the Incarnation of Mary namely the annunciation (Luk 1: 26 – 38), the visitation (39 – 45) and the Magnificat of Mary (46 – 56). This scripture passage can help us to reflect of God’s grace into the life of Mary. The grace is the free of God in any relationship between God and men. Grace is the free gift to make this relationship happen and possible. Christianity is characterized by us putting in the first place, not duty but grace. Duty comes from grace and not grace from duty. Thus Mary is therefore the icon / model of the Grace of God. The biography of Mary begins with being addressed as: “Hail Mary full of Grace” (Luk 1: 28). This is our happiness because the election of Mary to be Mother of God is purely by Grace! Therefore Mary is the first proclamation of Grace for all Christians.

Mary is our model of faith. 

She believed and accepted God’s will (Luk 1: 38 & 45). Mary’s “Yes” to God’s call can be considered as the most difficult act of faith in the history of salvation. If Abraham is called the “father of faith” then Mary can be rightly called the “Mother of Faith” for Christians. Mary believed at a great risk (of being stone to death) and trusted to God! Mary said: “Amen” to God. St Augustine said: “Mary conceived Jesus in her mind by faith before she conceived Jesus in her body”. Like Mary, we can receive the Word of God and let Jesus be conceived in us. We can learn to live out the Word of God and in it give birth to Jesus in our lives to others. We should be happy because through Mary Jesus was born. Her Son is the Word of God.

Mary in The Paschal Mystery.

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala” (John 19: 25). Only one in the Gospel of St John is enough to show that Mary was present at the Paschal Mystery. It told us that Mary followed the Passion of Christ at every moment. In this Mary suffered in her heart what Jesus suffered in His body. In other words, Mary saw the Passion of Jesus Christ as a Servant and Messiah in order to save us. Mary is our Model of Hope (see Lumen Gentium paragraph 61) – Vatican Council II. It is said that: “Abraham believed hoping against any hope”. Mary did the same, in a much more demanding way. She believed hoping. Mary held on to God’s promise that Jesus would reign forever, despite seeing Him die on the cross. Thus hope is something vital for us. We cannot live without hope. Let us ask Mary to renew our hope, even our hope for holiness. No holiness can be achieved unless we have a strong desire and hope for it.

Mary in Pentecost.

In the Acts of the Apostles Mary is present among the Apostles (Acts 1: 14). This Scripture passage is telling us between Mary and the Holy Spirit, there is an objective link, that is Jesus. Mary as a model of Charity serves the Apostles, helping them to prayerfully prepare for Pentecost. As children of God we too must be like Mary, that after having experience the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must to live out, to help or prepare others for a new Pentecost. After Pentecost, there is no further mention of Mary in the Scripture. According to our Tradition, Mary was dead in the age of 92 at Efesus. Pray to Mary because Mary is our model of Contemplative. Mary retires into the background after Pentecost, giving prayer support to the disciples as they preach the Gospel. Mary sets the model of a prayerful / contemplative life in the Church, which is an indispensable dimension of the Christian life and faith. Mary presents the dimension of staying in the presence of God to intercede for the Church in keeping the flame of Pentecost alive! This passage tells us that we do not worship Mary but we honour her as our Mother of God.

Conclusion.

It is time that whenever we want to speak of Mary, we must begin to speak of Mary in the Scripture and avoid making her a cause of division. We can always come to Mary to ask her to teach us to be a faithful disciples of Jesus, because we know Mary will always lead us to Jesus and hence to unity. May our devotion to Mary lead us closer to Jesus Christ in faith, hope and love. Let us begin our spirituality in the Liturgy of the Word and Eucharist, pray to the Divine Office and Rosary without ceasing. Together with the Angles and Saints of God in Heaven, let us glorify the Trinity of God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. 

Ref:

The New Jerusalem Bible – Standard Edition1&2. 

(“DRINK FROM THE WELLS OF THE CHURCH”)  = Follow-up for Alpha for Catholics – a paperwork was given by Rev. Fr. John Wong (Most Reverend Datuk John Wong Soo Kau D.D., P.G.D.K. Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu). 

Prepared by: Jonathan Fabian 

Date: 30 January 2017

(“DRINK FROM THE WELLS OF THE CHURCH”)

Follow-up for Alpha for Catholics.

TALK 7: MARY, OUR MODEL.

Scripture Passage: (Acts 1: 26 – 56).

Mary has been throughout the century a great help to all the saints. We can see that in the lives of all saints in the Catholic Church, they is always a deep devotion to Mary.

Whenever we talk about Mary it is always good to stick to the Scripture.

If we look at the New Testament, we actually do not find Mary being mentioned very often.

However, if we look into Scripture more closely and carefully, we can see that Mary is present in all the three (3) Keys Moments of the Christians Mystery of salvation, namely:

The Incarnation – This is the moment when God became man, the Word became Incarnated and the person of our Redeemer is constituted.

The Paschal Mystery – This is the moment when this God-man (Jesus) achieves the work of our Salvation by destroying sin and bringing New Life.

Pentecost – This is the moment when the work fulfilled by Jesus on the Cross is made present and working in the life of the Church and each members of the Body of Christ through the outpouring and power of the Holy Spirit.

Mary in The Incarnation.

Scripture Passage: (Luke 1: 26 – 56) 

Mary, Model of Grace.

Grace is the free gift of God in any relationship between God and men. Grace is free gift to make this relationship happen and possible.

Christianity is characterized by us putting in the first place, not duty but grace. Duty comes from grace and NOT grace from duty.

Mary is therefore the icon / model of the Grace of God. The biography of Mary begins with being addressed as: “Hail full of Grace” (Luke 1: 28).

The election of Mary to be Mother of God is purely by Grace! Therefore Mary is the first proclamation of Grace for all Christians.

Mary, Model of Faith.

Mary believed and accepted God’s Will. (Luke 1: 38 & 45)

Mary’s “YES” to God’s Call can be considered as the most difficult act of faith in the history of Salvation. If Abraham is call the “father of faith” then Mary can be rightly called the “Mother of Faith” for Christians.

Mary believed at a great risk (of being stone to death) and trusted God! Mary said: “Amen” to God. St Augustine said: “Mary conceived Jesus in her mind by faith before she conceived Jesus in her body.”

Like Mary, we:

Can receive the Word of God and let Jesus be conceived in us.

Can learn to live out the Word of God and in it give birth to Jesus in our lives to others.

Mary in The Paschal Mystery.

Scripture Passage: (John 19: 25)

Only one verse in John (19: 25) is enough to show that Mary was present at the Paschal Mystery.

Mary followed the Passion of Christ at every moment. In this Mary suffered in her heart what Jesus suffered in his body.

Mary. Model of Hope.

(see Lumen Gentium Paragraph 61).

It is said that: “Abraham believed hoping against any hope”. Mary did the same, but in a much more demanding way. She believed hoping.

Mary held on to God’s promise that Jesus would reign forever, despite seeing Him die on the cross.

Hope is something vital for us. We cannot live without hope.

Let us ask Mary to renew our hope, even our hope for holiness. No holiness can be achieved unless we have a strong desire and hope for it.

Mary in Pentecost 

Scripture Passage: (Acts 1: 14)

Between Mary and the Holy Spirit, there is an objective link, that is Jesus.

Mary, Model of Charity.

Mary serves the Apostles, helping them to prayerfully prepare for Pentecost.

We too must be like Mary, that after having experience the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must to live out, to help or prepare others for a new Pentecost.

After Pentecost, there is no further mention of Mary in the Scripture.

Where and what did Mary do after Pentecost?

Mary, Model of Contemplative.

Mary retires into the background after Pentecost, giving prayer support to the disciples as they preach the Gospel.

Mary sets the model of a prayerful / contemplative life in the Church, which is an indispensable dimension of the Christian life and faith.

Mary presents the dimension of staying in the presence of God to intercede for the Church in keeping the flame of Pentecost alive!

Conclusion.

It is time that whatever we want to speak of Mary, we must begin to speak of Mary in the Scripture and avoid making her a cause of division.

We can always come to Mary to ask her to teach us to be a faithful disciples of Jesus, because we know Mary will always lead us to Jesus and hence to unity.

Suggested Question for discussion:

Which example given by Mary do you find the most helpful?

Which episode of Mary’s life to you find most inspiring?                    

6 April 2009 (SPC)

Prepared and updated by: Jonathan Fabian, Sabah Malaysia