The Mother of the Lord by Margaret Barker - Essay Example

?The purpose of this book is to put forward Mariology, Marian and Mariological Studies, Rectors of Marian Shrines and people committed to Marian devotion. It deals with the status of Mary in the Catholic Church, a theological analysis of her personality and her contributions towards Christianity, with authority by the learned of the Pontifical Academy. An insight over controversial matters regarding Virgin Marry is also a part of this book to pave the way for future theological developments. Human beings are seeking inspirations from the very beginning of time, to become capable of co-existing together. Laws, meditations and think tanks are formed to fight with the negative propensities in life, but, unfortunately, the level of determination to struggle is directly related with the level of faith in our cause. The deeper we believe in something, the higher will be our motivation to put it into action. The Marian theology helps, where all other methods of social reformation fail. . It will be a better approach to study it with contemporary theological currents. Other branches of theological inquiry- soteriology, pneumatology, and ecclesiology also come to the fore here. To understand the Marian theology begins with understanding the role of Blessed Mary and her contribution and importance in Christianity. God has blessed Mary with a special favor to her and passed his righteousness to the Christ through her. Mary was chosen as the mother of Christ, by the God to put forward goodness and kindness. She is a mirror of God’s mercy to His people and provided spiritual, physical and intellectual needs to her Son. In Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph is told, “It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child” (Mt 1:20). The relation between Blessed Mary and Christ is of utmost importance in understanding the Marian theology. It describes the link that Virgin Mary is a blessed soul to for every Christian to find his way to the Christ as an establishment of faith. It becomes an essential part of Christian faith to pray and love Mary, along with Christ, to understand his holiness. Because of this relation, she is a perfect fruit of the redemptive work of her son. As a result of the Incarnation, humankind received the link which connects the creation with its Creator. The significance of Mary lies within the Holy Trinity. With this relation, she has assigned a supreme dignity and responsibility that are not available to any other creature ever. She has a gifted transcendent honor that can be a great source of inspiration with each one of us. She has full supremacy to oblige in the process of salvation for all mankind. God has bestowed on her a special grace of redemption for the benefit of human-beings. Thus, Mary is given titles such as the temple of the Trinity, tabernacle, alter, sanctuary…. The book also deals with the relationship between Mary and the Holy Spirit. In essence, Mary is protected from the stain of original sin, and the Holy Spirit filled her with grace. She is created by the Spirit as his perfect temple and as a result of which, she did not need to be baptized, because the God’s spirit is present within her very existence. Jesus, who is the spring of all grace, came to Mary as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit; so it is conclusive that all grace had to come through Mary by the exertion of the Holy Spirit. As in the Old Covenant, the cloud indicates God, in the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, and she conceived, becoming the tent of God. The visit of Mary to the house of Zachariah is also important in establishing the relationship between Mary and the Spirit. Elizabeth, filled with the Spirit, greeted Mary saying, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary in response recited her Magnificat, filled with the Spirit. Furthermore, the document indicates that in the temple during the appearance of her child Mary’s sacrifice, which was in Spirit and truth, symbolizes Jesus’ Passion. In addition, we see a connection between Mary and the Spirit at the wedding feast in Cana. She was moved by the Spirit to ask for a miracle from her son. That was an important moment because it marked the beginning of Jesus’ messianic mission, proving His identity as the Christ. This scene is seen also as a prefiguring of the Eucharistic sacrifice in which the gifts are changed by the power of the Spirit. The miracle at the wedding feast foretells the last hour of Jesus and the Spirit which occurred on the cross. The cross has a significant importance for Mary as the one who is comforted by the Spirit in the moment of sorrow and as the moment, she became the mother of the Church. The motherhood of Mary is also important in understanding the Marian theology. It belongs to the deposit of faith, which was spread by the universal teachings of the magisterium, given as an official lesson of the Catholic Church. Mary's support was moved by the Gospel virtues of obedience, hope, faith and charity. It also consummated under the influence of the Holy Spirit and recalled the bequest of her universal spiritual motherhood, which stems precisely from her support in the work of Redemption associated with Christ, which includes the devout revival of humanity; she becomes mother of those reborn to new life. For this reason, it cannot be established that Jesus had any biological brothers and sisters. The Eastern and Western Churches have had the long tradition of referring to Mary as ever-virgin. On the 8th day of December, in 1854, Pope Pius IX in his document Ineffabilis said: “We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore, to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.” This doctrine is another proof that, Blessed Mary, perfectly redeemed, is the paradigm for Christians by giving them persistent aspiration in their pursuit to challenge sin and reach up to the throne of God, where Mary is ever present. The quibbling arguments between christio-typical traditionalists and those holding ecclesio-typical points of view are unable to repudiate the supreme substance of Mary. No matter, how much controversial this issue is but it also explains the perpetual mysteries surrounding Mary. On the 1st of November, in the year 1950, Pope Pius XII disseminated the lessons of the Assumption of Mary. His characterization raised many questions regarding eschatology and biblical foundations of the doctrine. The mystery of Mary’s death remains a question among her followers and the whole Church. Was Mary assumed body and soul into heaven before or after her death? The doctrinaire viewpoint brings one to the conclusion that on carrying out her divinely predestined task, her body and soul were consumed into heaven. Death is a natural path that every human being has to take, as death is supposed to be a transformation. Does it hold well in the case of Mary also?—this is a moot point. Did death mean to her sovereignty from fear, and gloom brought about by sin? Death can be explained as any of these phenomenons: One, death is not a punishment; second, death is not an escape from the material reality; third, death is not the end but a new beginning. As for Christ, life and death are not disengaged by sin. According to this basis of reasoning, Mary is the perfect Christian and the righteous role model to follow. The Assumption of Mary has a great significance in Christian history. She has designated duties in the perpetual work of redemption, the final goal of which is to bring all things on earth under the rule of Christ. She is the Pristine Mother of God and the guiding spirit for the world to be perfected. She is the final ray of hope and relief for all believers. Nonetheless, Mary is the most beloved Mother of all believers. She works for the benefit of the mankind and helps in retaining the supremacy of Christ in the heart of all followers. She instigates her children to ponder and stands by them in times of trials and tribulations. According to the Catholic Church, Mary’s role as the mediator is of complete authority. This, perhaps, contributes most in the increasing popularity of devoutness to Mary. She is believed to mediate for her devotees and represent their cases to her Son. Mary’s role as the mediator is solidly supported throughout the tradition of the Catholic Church. By realizing her importance in Christianity, we actually realize the powers of God that how superior he is and how much mediator we need to approach Him. It actually enhances the greatness of God, how He is the final authority in delegating His authority. This is an act of compassion by God to delegate authority to Virgin Mary, to enable His believers to access the divine path more conveniently and freely. By doing this, He actually created a role model for women as well and it is a perfect example of how to live life with chastity. As a mother, Mary is perfectly suited to assume the responsibilities of mediator and there will not be a better individual to share in this responsibility. Therefore, she is the divine Mother, who showers her grace on all believers. The human body has been created by God, and every living being will be resurrected, transformed and brought to the glory of heaven. The Theology of the Body is based on this fundamental principle. Theological anthropology is based on the premise that, like the body of Jesus Christ. The bodily Assumption of the Virgin Mary is the latest materialization of the Catholic theology relating to the body. Mary is both a human being as well as the Mother of God. Thus, in her femininity, Mary is the perfect icon for the continued restoration of the dignity of women. “Christian spirituality is essentially one: It is life in the Spirit and animated by the Spirit, which unites us to Christ and progressively conforms, transforms, and transfigures us to Him bringing to completion our status of being adopted children of God the Father.” This definition of Christian spirituality raised a very basic question: What is the role of Mary in Christian spirituality? Mary, being the first disciple of Christ, is a paradigm for all of us on how to follow her Son. Following Christ has been expressed through the centuries by Marian spirituality, beginning with Origen and his idea of consecrated virgins who were models for Christian virginity, than St. Augustine (virgins as models of virtue), Pope John VII (servant of Mary), Anthony Mary Claret (Immaculate Heart of Mary), William Chaminade (founder of the Maranists), Maximilian Kolbe (The Militia of the Imaculata). Thus, Marian Spirituality is an essential part of the rich tradition of Christianity. In today’s geo-political situation, Mary is an instance for humanity on how to be a true disciple of Christ. She is the one who believed and accepted the Word, and brought the Gospel into the world. For the Church, an ecumenical movement is very important. However, Christians cannot be united without changing the deposit of faith regarding Mary. In order to resolve controversies regarding Mary, we need thorough dialogue and explanation of Marian theology. We as Christians must live out of fanaticism for complete acceptance of truth concerning Our Blessed Mother Mary. Virgin Mary is an example for every woman in this world. Mary’s personality reflects the true dignity and aptitude of women who are equal to men. We have to keenly analyze the Bible to understand the texts regarding women. In addition, we have to be careful with canonical and liturgical regulation, which can exclude women. In conclusion, we need to divulge the real image of Mary to our modern world. It is not easy because we are inclined to hide important facts regarding Marian theology because of our current cultural situation. Mary must be pronounced to the world as the Theotokos, who intercedes for us all. Read More