Mary in t he bible

Mary in the Bible

Biblical back Ground:

 Mary in the Old Testament:

The Old Testament is the preparation for the New Testament’s doctrine about Mary, especially through some specific verses of the Old Testament. In fact there are several texts that present a symbolic feminine image in which the portrait of Mary is reflected. There are some texts, which the various authors traditionally cited from the Old Testament in reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are Gen. 3:15, Is. 7:14, Zec. 2:10, Zeph. 3:14, Mich, 5:2f, Prov.8: 22. Mary is presented in the Old Testament at three levels, in prophecy, in prefiguring and in parallels. The most famous Old Testament prophesies concerning the coming of the messiah are found in Gen.3; 15, Is. 7:14, Mich. 5:14. In all these Mother of the Messiah plays a vital role. In addition to the prophecies, many of the heroines of the Old Testament pre- figured Mary, such as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Miriam, Ruth. We also find parallels to Mary, in the Old Testament. She is an intercessors and mediatrix like Abraham and Moses. In speaking of Mary, we are inevitably led to the themes of Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant, New Adam New Eve, Daughter of Zion.(2)

Mary in the New Testament:

The first evidence of response to the dignity of the mother of Jesus is found in the New Testament, as part of the pattern of Salvation History. Mary is involved in the mysteries of the Savior’s life. The Gospels proclaim Mary blessed in her maternity- in the nativity narratives indirectly, Gal. 4:4. ‘Born of a woman’. Elizabeth hails Mary as ‘ Mother of my Lord’ (Lk. 1: 43) meaning ‘ queen- mother of the Messiah- King’ likely the oldest Christian greeting of praise to the Mother of Jesus. The words’ all generations shall call me blessed’ (Lk. 1: 48) are put into Scripture by the Holy Spirit. These words should be taken as a command given by God to history. These words are clear signs that all people should come to Mary and show her respect, homage, and devotion to her. These words recorded by St. Luke (1: 48) were uttered by our Lady when she realized the implication of her acceptance of God’s bidding to be his Son’s Mother; The Mother of the promised messiah. At that moment, she foresaw how generations upon generations would be drawn to her, acclaim her as God’s marvel, and seek refuge in her protection. (2 Paul Pathanangudy)

When the first woman disobeyed and destroyed God’s plan for human kind, God promised another woman who through her obedient of faith, would actively cooperate in, restoring God’s plan of salvation for humankind. Mary was identified by Christ Himself on two distinct occasions when he began and ended his official Messianic function, that is at Cana (Jn. 2:11) and Calvary, when he said to his mother ‘ woman, behold your son,’ and to John ‘ behold your mother’ ( Jn. 19: 26).  (3 same as up F.T.)

At Cana may places herself between her son and humankind, she puts itself in the middle, she acts as a mediatrix ( not like Jesus) not as an outsider but in the position as mother In the episode of Cana we find a first manifestation of Mary’s maternal care and first announcement of Mary’s mediation. It is when Mary is standing under the cross that her motherhood is confirmed. When Jesus said to Mary, ‘ Woman, behold your son’, and to John, ‘ Behold your Mother’, (Jh. 19: 25-27). Jesus expressed his care to his mother, and at the same time gives her as mother o every single individual and to all humankind. From that moment on words, we all are bound to take Mary into all our homes, pray and show our love, homage, and devotion to her. Because it is Jesus who gave us his mother through the Church represented by John”.  (4 Joseph G. Danders)