Mary fulfilled the salvific plan of God

Mary fulfilled the salvific plan of God through her participation in Jesus’s public ministry. How did Mary’s association bring the completion of Jesus’s mission in accordance with the teaching of New Testament and Acts of the Apostles? Explain it details.

                                                                       

                                                                                               

Introduction:

The Plan of God: Most commonly, salvific plan of God is our communion with God. First and foremost it is an event the manifestation of a divine act in and through human history. The first medium of his communication is the created world and in the events of the lives of individuals and nations. It begins clearly with the Exodus (ex. 14-15:). The divine purpose is revealed in the covenant (ex. 19: 1-6), whereby Israel became God’s own people, settled in the land earlier promised to the patriarchs. Then the humanity’s encounter with sin and punishment illustrated God’s saving design. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times in various ways. The prophets were urging justice and morality and threatening punishment for sin (Amos. 6: Hosea 10: Isaiah 5:) and advised them to trust in guidance of events rather then in political alliance. This revelation has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. And Mary was the Chosen one by God.

Mary, in the plan of God: Why did God choose? What was his reason for giving her this particular place in his plan of salvation? This question synthesizes the entire Marian mystery. It forms the culminating point of the mystery and of the doctrine of Mary. It is certainly true that God’s reason is God alone. This reason is first and foremost an aspect of God’s boundless love mankind. God’s will is free from any motive which might move it either from within or from without , from any cause which might influence  it or even  inducement or postulated condition. His will exists in perfect, sovereign freedom and is, of its own nature, creative. On the other, His will is good and omniscient. In the particular case which we are considering this not only resulted in Mary occupying the place assigned to her in the divine plan of salvation by God’s will and at his discretion, but in this particular place at once becoming a meaningful moment in the whole economy of salvation. It is in this context that it is possible to refer to the divine motive for Mary’s co-operation in the work of redemption.

Mary’s role in Jesus’ Public ministry

When Jesus was in this world; He was with simple people those who were persecuted in the society. We find there are two parts of Jesus’ public ministry. The first part took place in galilee and other one in Jerusalem. Mary was present with Him in both of His ministries. Mary kept a vital role in these ministries of Jesus. Jesus was the only son of Mary. As human, Mary could expect what the others mothers do that Jesus would take care of Her. We find that Mary had broad and open heart to give up all Her happiness: She allowed Her Son’s public ministry but She was helpful for Jesus. “It seems that at the incident of wedding feast at Cana, Mary was the first initiator who introduced Jesus as Savior to the disciple and the servants who were there. In the Gospel of John we find there is something resembling a playful negotiation between Jesus and His mother, as She persuaded Him to do something about the young couple running out of wine. She seems to have had a charity of understanding that moved her to act boldly and to expect something remarkable from him. In this whole incident it shows us that the relationship between Mary and Her Son Jesus was very intimate and also Mary understood who is Jesus is. “In the Gospel of St. Mark the Evangelists mention those women who used to follow and look after Him when He was in Galilee. In Galilee, he began a campaign of teaching, preaching and performing miracles and Mary must have often been in the crowd, pondering the things what Jesus said and storing them in Her heart. Old Simon had warned Her that He would be ‘a sign of contradiction’ and She saw Simon’s words borne out in the conflict and turmoil that accompanied His work.  After mission of Galilee, Jesus went to Jerusalem where He spent the last days of His life. It is most likely that the women who had taken care of His needs and those of His disciples at Galilee now joined the Caravan going to Jerusalem to carry all the same work there. It also possible that Mary and the other women went ahead, to prepare places for them to stay in the south. Perhaps, Mary stayed at the house of Jesus’ friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary. From there, Mary must have watched the terrible and darkening situation that approaching to Jesus. She found that Jesus was in danger and getting ready to give up His live for the humankind. When the terrible events came in the life of Jesus, we find no word of Mary but She accompanied Him from the beginning. She heard the rumors of plots to Kill Jesus. She must have sensed that Jesus’ work was coming to a climax. Most certainly, news was brought to Mary very quickly after Jesus’ Work was arrested. Immediately Mary went there with others and met Her son on the way to Calvary. But She was silent, although the sword prophesied by the Simeon pierced Her soul. She did not create any obstacle in this salvific work rather She gave courage to perform His ministry properly by Her presence. She experienced pain, suffering, sorrow and joy to stay with Her Son’s public ministry. And at last She helped Jesus to fulfill the salvation history.

Mary’s Visitation and Magnificent: After the departure of the angel, Mary went with haste to visit Elizabeth h(Lk. 1:39) and when Elizabeth hears Mary’s greetings, the baby in her womb leaps and she is filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:41). Elizabeth praised Mary saying, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of you womb” (Lk. 1:42). For Luke the blessing upon Mary is quite appropriate for she has shown herself obedient to the word of God. The meaning of the word ‘magnificent’ is to glorify highly or to praise highly. Mary is greeted not because of anything she does or will do’ but because God include her in the wonderful work of salvation and wonder. She is a prophet comes right to the point that God has acted with power and done wonders scattering the proud with their plan (Lk. 1: 46-55).

Mary and the Prophecy of Simeon: According to the Law of Moses, Mary brought her Son Jesus to Jerusalem Temple on the day of purification, where she met Simeon the righteous and devout man, waiting for the coming Messiah (Lk.2:25). He spoke to Mary that, “A sword will pass through your own soul, so that thoughts from many hearts will be revealed’ (Lk.2:35). This statement passing through Mary’s soul probably indicates a life, long painful situation of Mary the difficult process of learning, that obedience to the word of god transcends all family ties.

Mary and finding of Jesus in the Temple: At the age of twelve Jesus was with his parents in Jerusalem Temple on the feast of the Passover (Lk. 2:41-42) and after that Jesus remained there. When Mary and Joseph found out him and wanted to know the reason then Mary was shocked to hear the answer of Jesus. She kept all these and pondering them in her heart (Lk. 2:19). Mary’s total acceptance of the word of God means to associate and participate in Jesus’ public ministry. Thus Mary realized deeply her union with her son Jesus.

Mary and the Wedding at Cana (Jn. 2:1-11): The event at Cana Mary plays a very significant role, through her Son Jesus. At Cana, the hour of Jesus and the hour of Mary came together. Mary points out that, “They have no wine’’ (Jn.2:3) and only these words reveals Mary’s firm confidence in Son Jesus. Mary’s presence as well as her work extends some further viewed in the universal framework of the economy of salvation. Thus Mary becomes the close associate and collaboration with her Son in his work of salvation.

Mary at the foot of Cross (Jn. 19:25-27):  Mary’s explicit communion with Christ in his suffering on the Cross made her initial, “Be it done unto me according to your word” (Lk.1:38). Here John has shown that this ‘Mother-Son relationship brings with mutual right and obligations. Thus for John, Mary has a particular and unique place and role in the plan of salvation. She is placed very close to the Church, which is his mystical body. Because Jesus gives his physical mother for ‘a spiritual role’ as mother of the disciples par excellence and to the disciple ‘a role as her son.

Mary in the Jerusalem Community: Here St. Luke mentions Mary only once in the Acts of the Apostle (Acts: 1:14) and it is after the Ascension of Jesus and before Pentecost that the disciples returned to Jerusalem, go to the upper room and devote themselves to constant prayers together with certain women, including Mary, Mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. The last time Mary’s presence was mentioned at Pentecost where they were all united in faith together with Mary devoted themselves in prayer and waiting for Jesus. In this way Mary, is inseparably united with him and is indissolubly inserted in the mystery of Christ as His mother, disciple and Christ’s first associate in the work of salvation continued by the Church.

Bibliography:

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