|
Resources for Advent and Christmas
The Blessed Virgin Mary
Model of Faith and First Believer
by: Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio
For a fascinating explanation of the origins of “X-Mas”, click here!
The Beatitudes rank high on the list of all-time favorite Bible passages. But what is beatitude, anyway? In the bible, a “blessed” person is someone who has received gifts of the greatest value, gifts that lead to true fulfillment and lasting happiness.
If I were to ask you to name the first beatitude, you’d probably say “blessed be the poor in Spirit.” According to Matthew you’d be right, but not according to Luke. At the very beginning of his gospel, Luke reveals that the very first beatitude is uttered by a woman filled with the Spirit, speaking of another woman overshadowed by the Spirit. Elizabeth says, “Blessed is she who has believed.” (Luke 1: 45).
Is Marian devotion important in Christian life? This has been a bone of contention between Catholics and Protestants for nearly 500 years.
Let’s look at the evidence in just the first chapter of Luke. First, the Angel Gabriel honors her with the greeting “Hail, full of grace” (Luke 1:29). Then Elizabeth prophesies “blessed are you among women.” Next the prophet John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice. Then, in her response to Elizabeth, Mary prophesies “all generations will call me blessed” (Lk 1:48).
But it is Elizabeth’s final words to Mary that hold the key to understanding why she is she is to honored, namely, her faith.
One of the battle-cries of the Protestant Reformation was “Faith Alone!” One key conviction that united the many disparate strands of the Reformation was that it is impossible to earn God’s favor by our good works, but rather we receive his love as a pure gift, a grace, through faith.
Now consider Mary. Did she criss-cross the Mediterranean planting Churches like Paul? Did she give eloquent sermons like Stephen (Acts 7). Did she govern the Church like Peter? No. Her claim to fame is that she simply said yes to God. She believed He could do as he said and would do as He said.
But true faith is not just intellectual conviction that God exists or that He can do thus and such. Faith involves entrusting oneself, abandoning oneself to God, willing to submit to his will. That’s why Paul talks about “the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:26). She surrendered her plan for her life, and yielded to God’s plan. And she did this not once, but again and again, even when he left her to begin his public ministry. And when that ministry led to the horror of Calvary, her faith stood its ground at the foot of the cross.
So Catholics honor Mary for being the perfect example of the greatest Protestant virtue. Ironic isn’t it? And the deepest meaning of that disputed doctrine, the Immaculate Conception, is that it was the grace of God working mysteriously from the moment of conception that made possible Mary’s exemplary life of faith. Even her faith is a gift of His grace. It’s all grace, according to Catholic doctrine.
 Mary, of course, knew this. That’s why she responded to Elizabeth’s praise with the humble, exuberant prayer known as the Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” She is like the crystal-clear pool that reflects the suns rays back to the heavens. So no one needs to fear that honor given her will detract from the majesty of Her divine Son. She deflects all the praise given her right back to God, the source of her greatness.
So the answer is that Marian devotion is necessary in Christian life. But what is true devotion to Mary according to the fathers of the Second Vatican Council? Not sentimental piety or gullible preoccupation with every rumored apparition. But rather, imitation of her virtues, particularly her faith (Lumen Gentium 67).
Be sure to read Mary's Fiat by Saint Bernard for even more inspirational reading!
To download and print Mary, Model of Faith!
For more Catholic resources to feed your faith, visit the Crossroads Initiative Homepage.
To sign up for our free weekly e-mail with Dr. D'Ambrosio's commentary on the Sunday readings, liturgical feasts, updates on where Dr. D will be speaking, a chance to WIN a FREE CD and MORE, CLICK HERE!
This article originally appeared as a reflection on the Scripture readings for the 4th Sunday in Advent cycle C (Micah 5:1-4a, Ps 80, Heb 10: 5-10, Lk 1:39-45) and cycle B ( 2 Sam 7, Rom 16:25-27, and Luke 1:26-38) in Our Sunday Visitor and is reprinted here with permission.
This article appears in the Christian Lifestyles , Advent & Christmas and Mary and the Saints sections of The Crossroads Initiative Library.
For other articles by Dr. D'Ambrosio to read and download visit the Crossroads Library.
For more readings from the Early Church Fathers and other classic authors on the Blessed Virgin Mary please visit the Library page.
 Scriptural Rosary with Luminous Mysteries -
The Scriptural Rosary makes meditating on the mysteries of the rosary so much easier! This hardcover Scriptural Rosary book with Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary included is the perfect size to carry in your pocket or your purse, or stuff into a STOCKING to enable you to pray the rosary and reflect on its scriptural mysteries with fewer distractions!
 Daily Roman Missal - Burgundy Leather
This single volume is the complete source of the Bible passages and prayers that form the rich tapestry of our Mass.
The Daily Roman Missal presents the liturgical year's worth of Sacred Scripture, allowing the faithful to follow and delve further into the Church's holy celebration.
This new edition is updated with the guidelines of the Bishop's Committee on the Liturgy. It also features the new English translation of the daily and Sunday readings from the Revised New American Bible.
|
