Mary
“For he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.” Luke 1:48, WEB
Being raised primarily non-denominational growing up I didn’t think much about Mary, the mother of Jesus.
If she was mentioned, it was in passing. Rarely ever was the subject of her explored in depth.
My understanding of Catholicism was nuanced with the idea that they worshiped her, and any such thoughts of rending sacred honor to her should be cast out.
Mary was just the vessel for the Christ, playing a minor role under his greatness, such was the tone.
Thankfully, our Father would not simply have that do in his desire for me.
It has taken time and contemplation for me to come to the place of esteeming her more, and rendering the honor she deserves. Albeit, with some differences from the traditional creedo.
In early church history (100 to 200 A.D.) there are not too many references to the virgin, though the ones that are there indeed give honor, not worship.
Little known I would say is the view that she was held as the New Eve, as Christ is held as the New Adam.
For where Eve was deceived, stumbling in lesser offence in comparison to Adam, having lacked faith in the one command given, Mary availed herself fully to the Word that the angel gave unto her.
Questioning the means sincerely yet not rejecting them merely due to their supernatural nature.
If Eve resisted based on faith in the surety of the word of God, what may the path of sin have taken? I know not, yet it is a question worthy of some rumination perhaps.
Going forward from 200 to 500 A.D. is when the veneration of the Virgin became more formulaic and ironclad in the tradition. The concepts of her immaculate conception, her assumption, being ever-virgin, and the Divine motherhood became inscribed to her mythos.
There is an issue I found in this though. As femininity was frowned upon by the roman society, themes of a narrative containing extra purity influenced these ideas of the virgin, as cultures at large influence the corpus of belief, regardless of the religion in focus.
The feminine side of God, the Holy Ghost, was not so much demeaned and discouraged as much as it wasn’t firmly carried on in the literature, thus losing its importance in the vernacular of people of faith. Even so far as being considered heresy by some today I would say.
I considered it as such, but I have found the agent guiding and leading my heart in the path of the subject’s consideration is none other than the Holy Spirit herself, always honoring the Father and the Son. No familiar spirit can be found in the midst.
And now I am led to consider the wonderful saint and example of faith for the people of God, the Virgin Mary.
My current thoughts on the matter are as such, and I find agreement with the earliest mentions of her in the quotes of the Church Fathers.
Indeed, she was a betrothed virgin when she conceived Christ via the Holy Ghost, the Mother of the tri-unity per se.
The argument can be made that she gave birth to him without pain, ergo a reversal of the curse placed on Eve. This I believe.
In the vein of Martin Luther, it can be said that though born into sin, thus not being immaculately conceived, she was preserved through the Holy Spirit, which to me is even more powerful of a witness to God than the version of her not having to face original sin at all. This I believe.
I do believe that she was assumed into heaven in the Eastern Orthodox fashion, not only is it beautiful, but for me this one feels more down to earth.
I do not believe she was ever-virgin, though indeed I believe she was up to the time of the birth of Christ, and for some time after. As it is written in the scriptures.
In no way does this taint the holy nature she bore within, both in heart and body, for in the right arrangement sex is just as holy as the face of the Son of God.
He made it, therefore nothing he has made can detract from him, only glorify him.
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!” Revelation 4:11, WEB.
I do believe that she along with the cloud of witnesses pray for us and remember us on earth, yet I do not believe that she or any other saint has a closer ear with the Father than we each do through Christ.
“Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16, WEB
It is just a precious thing to at least consider the possibility that the ones that have gone before us still intercede or pray for us. That we are remembered by his holy people departed when we feel all has departed from us.
The simple heart shared with all the holy ones that is key to allowing the agency of God flow in our lives is this: “Let it be done unto me as the lord has said.”
The beautiful heart of the mother of God, the Theotokos (bearer), and his friend,
Mary.
