Discovering Mary - Part II

There are many lines of attack against Mary. They can either be grouped as essentials or non-essentials. But the essential key aspect is that Mary has a role to play in the salvific mission of Christ.

Let’s begin with Mary’s creature-hood. Mary is a created being like any other human, while Jesus is begotten of the Father and not a created being. The prophetic passage in the third chapter of the book of Genesis gives an indication that Mary is indeed - the unique creation of God. (Refer Part I of this article)

Mary’s creature-hood presents to mankind that aspect of the love of God, which is seen in his commitment to save us. “But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Gal 4:4-5). We came under the Law on account of sin inherited in the womb itself. We are now redeemed by the Son who chose to be born under the law and in the womb of a woman prepared by God to participate in the work of redemption.

Creation aspires to god-hood and to eternity; a desire first seen in Eve and now fulfilled in the action of God through Mary. In the blog article on ‘The Body and Blood of Christ’ of June 24, the aspect of divinization is explained at length. (cfr. Rm. 8: 19-23) The human aspirations are met in God’s redemptive action,  which first began in the banishment from Paradise, the preparation of a chosen race from the descendants of Abraham, through the given promise, then the giving of the commandments  through Moses, and all that happened and God did, through the prophets in this interim period. This action of God’s redemption is seen with Mary, a mere creature used as God’s instrument to redeem creation.

Let’s delve deeper in - Mary’s participation in the redemptive work of Christ:

1)      The first instance found in scripture of Mary’s participation in the redemptive work is, when Mary co-operates with God’s action with total faith and trust. (Lk.1:26-38). She is placed in a very rare situation. Through the annunciation of the Angel, Mary has been invited to believe and participate in an action, which was never seen in scripture before. Mary reasoned, but did not show an iota of doubt. Sound faith is based on sound reason; a reason that acknowledges that God is capable of much more than our limited vision can perceive. “And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."” (Luke 1:38). Normally, one dwells only on the second part of the statement. But it is the first part of the sentence that is full of richness and meaning concerning Mary’s attitude to God’s Word. The second part completes it specifically in context. The first part of the sentence says that being a handmaid; “his word is my command”.  I (Mary) listen and have been listening to him in everything, and now, even in this, let it be done to me according to thy word. Thus being a perfect servant of God’s word she was found worthy for a greater responsibility. “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10 & 19:17)

Jesus evidently supports this truth about Mary’s life when he asserts, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28) This is well qualified earlier by Elizabeth, who utters these words under the power of the Holy Spirit; “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:45.

Mary’s yes is a significant yes, she not only says yes to be the Jesus’ mother, but also to be the highly favored of God and be filled in the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works in us to sanctify and make us holy. While in Mary, her holiness is revealed by this power that would overshadow her; a vessel separated for God is now made visible.

2)      In the visitation to Elizabeth (Lk.1:39-56), we have a second instance of her participation in God’s redemptive action. We see an eager expectant Mary reaching out to her neighbor in need. What’s the best gift to give, if not Christ and his life?  Mary is a perfect model of Christian charity and love. She witnesses by her deeds. But these deeds are not as we understand them.

A witness is one who has seen, encountered or experienced a situation. The concept of witnessing by deeds propagating just pure moral character is the usual misconception. Hence witnessing is always about and towards someone or something. If Mary were to visit Elizabeth apart from ‘her encounter with God’ then we could appreciate her act of kindness, but it would in no way represent an act of witnessing.

In keeping with the necessary criteria for witnessing, Mary first encountered God’s power through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. This ocean of grace and power is now ideal to be a powerful witness of God’s love and power. This can be seen in her deed. As soon as Elizabeth hears the sound of her greetings there is a cascading effect of healing, joy and peace. The ultimate fruit is the recognition of God’s presence and grace by Elizabeth.

The scriptures tell us that Elizabeth is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit; John the Baptist finds healing which is signified by his leaping with joy. In a way, Mary also becomes an instrument of Baptism. Even before Jesus or John could begin their public ministry or even visibly appear on the scene; Mary the baptizer. Elizabeth recognizes the honorable place of Mary in God’s plan of salvation and then to her Mary discloses her heart in the great Magnificat. Mary’s song of praise is not a public song of stupendous display of one’s qualities, but a private song of humble self-disclosure to the one who has shown her wisdom to receive such sacred messages of God’s magnificent workings. "Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you.” (Matt 7:6). Elizabeth communicates such openness by her words of wisdom and faith and we see it in the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on her.

This action of Mary is what witnessing in the power of the Holy Spirit is all about. The fruit thereof is true empowerment of Elizabeth and the child in her womb.

3)      In the gospel of John (Jn. 2: 1-11), there is another instance of Mary’s participation in the salvific mission of Christ. Just as in the upper room Mary was gathered with the disciples (Acts 1:14), likewise in Cana, Mary is presented as the consequential presence to receive the wine of gladness. Mary is the surest, quickest and effective way to receive from Jesus. In life, this is often seen and we don’t have problems believing this reality of life. But when it comes to Mary and the saints, we falter in our faith even though this is revealed in the miracle at Cana.

An advocate is not needed to get work done but yet he is consulted for the purpose and fulfillment of an important need. Likewise, children may find it easier to communicate to one of their parent their needs, through the other parent. If they have to communicate to their father or their elder brother/sister, they know that they will be able to do it better through their mother, who understands them all, and communicates, either with her authority or a level of wisdom or familiarity.

Likewise, in the miracle at Cana, Mary’s mediation is able to achieve that which would have been impossible with others. Even if someone had approached Jesus directly, Jesus’ reaction shown to his mother would have created a great feeling of rejection and hurt in that person. But Mary, a true servant knows how to accept every situation humbly.

On the other hand, some have interpreted the reaction of Jesus towards his mother as a rejection of her motherhood over him. Some even quote the Lukan text (Lk.11: 27-28) or the Matthean text (Mt. 12:50) to support their thinking.

This relationship was not meant to be just an earthly relationship, but an eternal relationship.  Those who interpret these gospel texts of the miracle at Cana as detachment or rejection should read the text in the context of the Crucifixion.  The crucifixion scene, in John’s Gospel, reveals the profound relationship of Jesus with his mother (Jn.19:26-27).   In Matthew’s Gospel it may seem, from the text following, that Jesus is rejecting his relationship with his mother. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Matt 12:50). But through the Gospel of John we can confidently assert that Jesus never rejected this relationship of Mother and Son and carried it forth to his disciples. In conclusion, the realization is that just as every disciple is in need of his Heavenly Father; he also needs a mother as given to him by Jesus.

Finally, once we are convinced of Mary’s role in the salvific mission of Christ, then we should not have  difficulty in entering deeply into the mystery of God revealed in his creation (Rm.1:20) and now supremely in Mary, the greatest among his creation. Just as in food without the humble salt – the key ingredient, the taste and flavor of food cannot be appreciated and benefited from, likewise, is the doctrine of Mary’s role. Believing that the primary role of Mary is in the salvific mission of Christ is like adding the right and essential ingredient to food i.e. the humble salt. This belief, if firmly adhered to will resolve our doubts in the other non-essential ingredients that normally tends to bother us.

PRAYER – Come Holy Spirit and inspire us to all the truth that we need to know about Mary, for as we seek her intercession, she will unfailingly, lead us to Jesus her son.

                                                           -  Fr. Conrad Saldanha.