Who was this Mary? She was a female activist; a scheming adventuress, who in the words of Bernardino of Siena (1380 – 1444), ‘seduced, deceived, and I might even say wounded God, with I do not know what caresses and promises’, that she might secure humanity’s salvation.
Consider with me all the fascination and dangerous power of womanliness we experience in considering the Incarnation.
There is a marvelous resemblance between Mother and Son.
The voice of the Son and the Mother is but one, as they have but one heart, one soul, and one mind.
"I came out of the mouth of the Most High, the first-born before all creatures." [Eccl. 24: 5]
God the Father knew Mary from all eternity, just as sure as He knew the Son.
The Holy name of Mary was not unknown to the world, even centuries before it was revealed to men at the time it should be given to our holy infant, and even from the beginning of the world. Mary. Mary. Mary.
This beautiful and magnificent name was birthed from the heart of God from the foundations of the world.
Greek and Latin historians will attest to the fact that in the year 780 a tombstone was discovered during the excavation of some walls in Thrace that revealed the following inscription: “Christ will be born of the virgin Mary. O sun, thou shalt see me again under the Emperor Constantine and the Empress Irene.” Many believe that this tomb belonged to Mercurius Trismegistus – better know as Plato. Whoever it was certainly lived before Christ and Mary.
There was a doctor of theology named, John de domo Villarii who was an eyewitness to the discovery of a man with a beard and very long hair, a very large man, who was found in the valley of Josaphat in a sub-terranean tomb; this is all recorded by John Leyden the Carmelite in his chronicle of the Counts of Holland in 1374. Remarkable the body was in tack and the tablet inscription said the following in Hebrew; “I am Seth, the third son of Adam. I believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God, and in the Virgin Mary, His Mother, who shall be born of my race.”
Mary – “God born of our race,” as St. Ambrose, says. He would have us understand that there must be a Mother of God in this Royal race from which God Himself willed to be born, as a Son.
Mary – “ Lady of the Sea,” says St. Athanasius, “the Mother and the Son have the same power.”
Mary – St. Ephrem tells us that Mary signifies, “illuminated, illuminator, illuminating.”
Listen to Saint John Eudes:
“That same thought that the Eternal Father from all eternity had had, that His Son should be born of a virgin, is the principle of the Mother’s birth.”
“For the same heart and the same love of the Eternal Father which led Him to give us a Man-God, urged Him also to give us a Mother of God.”
“This Church will forever possess the heart of both Son and Mother in spite of the rage of hell”
Sola-Scriptura? How about Solo Faith-Sura! For in Her unwavering faith alone, was poised the remaining faith of all of humanity, as Christ’s lifeless body hung on a cross, before Mary.
The wonder of the sacrament of Mass is illustrated in this raw physical humanity, as Jesus is cut from the flesh of Mary. If we are the body of Christ, and He is the head, than Mary is the neck; and oh, how lovely she is! Beautiful to behold, caressed only by Christ!
If the bread and the wine are the Body and Blood of Christ – then Mary is the Chalice. How can we receive Communion, without embracing Mary? For it was Her womb that contained Him, and it was Mary from whom He received His flesh.
Oh Virgin Mary, my Mother, Your earthliness in the drama of redemption; is it surpassed by Your role as Queen of the Universe?
Oh, Immaculate Heart of Mary, I pray thee, petition the Sacred Heart of Thy Divine Son, that I may find grace in His sight, and be converted.
RbM
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