Mary: The Four Dogmas

The Biblical Mary - Her Significance: Mary’s position in the Bible is of primary importance in the Infancy Narratives and she is present in other major Christological events. She is the one who speaks when Jesus is found in the Temple after having been lost for three days. At the wedding in Cana when Christ performs his first public miracle, she points to her Son and tells the waiter, “do what ever he tells you”. Again, it is Mary who speaks, presumably because (a) she knows who Jesus really is, (b) she is the one closest to Jesus, and (c) as his mother, she can and does ask Jesus to act. During the Ministry Years she continues to be present [see Mt 12:46-47, Mk 3:31, Jn 2:12]. She is present at Calvary [see Jn 19:25] and at Pentecost [see Acts 2:1-4]; her second encounter with the Holy Spirit. Mary is the only one effectively and significantly present throughout the human life of Christ from his Incarnation (his conception) and his first baby whimpers to his dying last words from the pulpit of his cross.

From the beginning Jesus and Mary are portrayed closely together. Look at Mt 2:11 where we find the Magi looking for “the King of the Jews.” “On entering the house they found the child with Mary his mother.” [KJV] Why doesn’t it say 'the child with his parents' or 'the child with Mary and Joseph'? If we continue reading this same chapter we find four more like instances. In verses 13, 14, 20, and 21 we find the phrase “the child and his mother”. It never deviates. The author could have written his text to read like that but he didn’t. Why? Because (a) he was not inspired to do so, (b) he did write it the way God inspired it, (c) the relationship between Jesus, the Son of God and his mother, the Theotokos was singularly special and (d) the Gospels are the holiest books, inspired of God on the highest level. There are many people who process through the life of Christ, but Mary is the only one who is humanly present to Christ throughout the entire salvation saga. Joseph comes in a close second; he is Jesus’ foster father and Mary’s husband and protector. A picture emerges: Mary had an honored place in Jesus’ life in all the key salvation events, the Gospels and in the infant Church. Mary should therefore have an honored and perpetual place in the Church. [See Rom 1:16 and CCC 124-127]

Veneration of Mary - We Honor the Mother of Christ: When we recognize the holiness of Mary, it is right to venerate her. She is the “Handmaid of the Lord” [KJV], the “full of grace” [KJV] the “highly favored” [NAB]. Mary is the only person to enjoy the mystically unique relationship with each Person of the Trinity as daughter of the Father, bride of the Holy Spirit, and mother of the Son. To venerate Mary does not in any way diminish the worship and adoration accorded to Our Lord, but adds to it because it pleases Him. To venerate someone means simply to honor that person; not the same as worship.

To honor Mary is to imitate Jesus' example [see 1Th 1:6] because he honored her first. In Luke 2:51, after being lost for three days he is found, and afterward he went to Nazareth with them and Jesus chose to honor his parents with obedience. At the wedding in Cana Jesus honored Mary by granting her request to fix the wine problem [see Jn 2:1-11]. He is reluctant, but Mary told the waiter to obey her son's direction. Mary intercedes for the waiter and Jesus honors her by honoring the request. In Mark 3:35 Jesus does it again. Mary and the brothers are looking for Him and Jesus declares that whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to him. Mary did the will of God perfectly [see Luke 1:39-45]. At Calvary Jesus honored his mother when he gave her to the care of the beloved disciple [see Jn 19:25]. Mary must relinquish Jesus, but she gains a new son in this disciple who represents humanity and Mary becomes, anagogically, our spiritual Mother. Jesus honored his mother and we should honor her too because he loved his own in the world [see Jn 13:1]. Mary still points to Jesus and says to us, “Do whatever he tells you.” Mary is venerated, or honored; it is God we worship and adore and Him only. If we are going to be “imitators of the Lord” [1Th 1:6] we should honor Mary and take her into our homes and hearts as Our Lord desires.

Mary's Blessedness: Mary called herself lowly, meaning 'humble', [see Lu 1:48] and she proclaimed God had exalted the lowly and did great things for her [see Lu 1:46-55]. The Lord’s humble handmaid, is exalted by God. At the Annunciation, Gabriel said, “blessed art thou among women” [Lu 1:28 KJV]. At the Visitation, the Holy Spirit inspired Elizabeth to declare twice that Mary is ‘blessed’ [see Lu 1:42 & 45]. This is proclaimed a fourth time in Mary’s Magnificat [see Lu 1:48] and a fifth time by Simeon, [see Lu 2:33-34] under the Holy Spirit and two more times in Lu 11:27,28. Of all the men and women called ‘blessed’ who process through the biblical saga from Genesis to Revelation, Our Lady is the only one called ‘blessed’ seven different times, three of those under the Holy Spirit. Thus, the canonical message is proclaimed with great clarity: Our Lady is truly and uniquely blessed above both men and women, because God has blessed and exalted her above all others.

Mary is the new Eve, the unblemished radiant New Ark from whom comes Christ, the new Adam. Through Eve’s primordial disobedience humanity was wounded and fell into sin along with Adam because together they disbelieved and disobeyed God; they believed and obeyed the Serpent. Through Mary humanity is healed because of the salvation of Jesus, Our Lord, because Mary believed and obeyed the Angel of God. Eve was the ark of systemic evil. Mary is the immaculate New Ark of the New Covenant from whom came The Messiah and everlasting salvation from the power of evil and death.

Mary’s Immaculate Conception - Dogma One: Recall the 'original sin' of Adam and Eve; the world has been full of systemic evil ever since. St. Paul wrote that sin came into the world through one man, and his sin brought death with it [see Rom 5:12]. This means all people, children below the age of reason, including the unborn, are subject to the stain of systemic original sin. Though Mary would have been subject to it, she was preserved from its stain by a unique act of God. Hence, Mary could say, “my spirit rejoices in God my savior” [Lu 1:47 NAB]. No other way could Mary say that at that time; she was newly pregnant and the crucifixion was 33 years in the future. Yes, Mary needed a savior but not for the same reason we do[1]

All earthly time and history are present to God in totality [see Sir 23:20 and 39:16-20]. At the moment Mary was conceived, the crucifixion was present to God in that eternal totality. God in his omnipotence applied the saving atonement of that salvific act to her soul in a special way in anticipation of her divine motherhood of Christ. Think about who Jesus is. At the moment the divine Son of God was mysteriously implanted in the virginal womb of Mary and became human, Christ brought along with him his divine nature [see Mt 2:11]. It is because of the presence of this divine nature that Mary was immaculately conceived and preserved in the fullness of grace [see Lu 1:28]. Mary is called "full of grace" and the Magi "worshipped him". Mary was literally full of God - physically pregnant with a divine child and spiritually full of grace.

Let’s take a microscopic look at Gen 3:15 [NAB]. God is speaking to Satan: “I will put enmity [sinlessness] between you [Satan] and the woman [Mary], / and between your offspring [evil/sin] and hers [Christ]; / He [Christ] will strike at your head, [destroy your power] / while you strike at [crucify] his heel [physical body].” Who stood by the cross of Christ? Mary. What did Jesus call her? “Woman”! The phrase ‘while you [Satan] strike at his heel’’ is a reference to the crucifixion; and Mary is “the woman”. Jesus addressed other women as “woman” and this is respectable. Jesus calling his mother “woman” would be very disrespectful and unthinkable. Calling His mother 'Woman' only makes sense if used as a title in the light of this verse. Mary is the “woman” of Genesis and Christ is the “offspring” destroying Satan's power.

There are other biblical references pointing to Mary as ‘the woman’ of Genesis. Jer 31:22 says, “the woman must encompass the man” [KJV]-emphasis added; a prophecy of the Virgin Birth. In John 2:4 Jesus calls Mary “Woman”. It is practically the first public thing he says. In John 19:26 Jesus again calls Mary “Woman”, it is the last thing he says to his mother on Earth and among the last words spoken from the pulpit of his cross. “Woman” is a title given to Mary by her Son. What did God say about “the woman”? He would put “enmity” between Satan and “the woman.” It means that Satan and Mary would have no common ground with each other. Satan’s “common ground” is evil and sin. God had planned the Immaculate Conception for Mary in anticipation of her becoming the mother of the Messiah. God said he would j”put enmity between your j[Satan’s] offspring [evil] and hers [Mary’s offspring is Christ].” Christ was sinless. Christ brought his divine nature with him into his human Incarnation. We believe Mary was preserved from all sin for all her life because of the presence of this divine nature. God did indeed to “great things” for Mary because of the merits of Christ-the Son of God made man.

Mary, Mother of God - Dogma Two: There is Biblical basis for the dogma. Because God’s name is too holy to pronounce, ancient Jews called Him the Hebrew equivalent of “LORD”. In Lu 1:43 Elizabeth, under the Holy Spirit, says, “who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Every occurrence of the title "Lord" in the surrounding text refers to God [see Lu1:28,32,38,46,58,&68]. The title reveals something of Jesus maintaining his divine nature while taking on human form. The prescence of this divine nature in Mary’s virginal womb mandates that Mary be preserved from all sin throughout all her life and her maternity carries that divine character. [See CCC 449, 495] In that context, because Jesus is the Son of God, Mary can be called the Mother of God.

The Greek word, Theotokos, means God bearer, hence “Mother of God”. The title was first officially sanctioned at the Council of Ephesus in A.D. 431. Defining the divine/human nature of Christ was the nettlesome issue. At the Council of Chalcedon [08Oct451 A.D.] Pope Leo I issued a formal papal decree defining the union of the two natures in the Divine Person; that Jesus was fully divine [see Phil 2:6] and fully human [see Phil 2:7] all at once. This is called the Hypostatic Union. Mary is not the mother of the Triune God from all eternity; nor did Jesus derive his divine nature from her. Jesus, the Son of God, brought his divine nature with him into his holy Incarnation [see Mt 2:11]. Mary is the mother of Jesus - the divine and the human person of Christ. When we acknowledge the Theotokos we acknowledge belief in the divinity of the Son of God in the form of a man who entered the world through Mary. [See CCC 466, 495, 2677]

Mary, Ever Virgin - Dogma Three: Why does the Church teach that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life? Didn’t Mary have other children like other women? The answer to these questions lay in the scriptures. Let’s determine how the ancient Jews defined ‘brother’. The term ‘brother’ has a wide meaning in the Bible. It is not restricted to brothers as in the sons of the same mother and father; or to half brothers or stepbrothers. The same goes for ‘sister’ and the plural ‘brethren’. Lot is described as Abraham’s “brother” [see Gen 14:14]; but Lot and Abraham were nephew and uncle [see Gen 11:26-28]. Jacob is called the “brother” of his uncle Laban [see Gen 29:15] but Esau was Jacob's brother proper. Kish and Eleazar were sons of Moholi; Kish had sons of his own, but Eleazar had only daughters who married their “brethren”, the sons of Kish – their cousins [see 1Chr 23:21-22]. Ancient Hebrew and Aramaic have no linguistic equivalents for the words "step brother", "half brother", "cousin", "nephew", "uncle", or "aunt".[2] The terms “brethren”, “brother”, and “sister” did not refer only to close relatives. They also mean a fellow tribesman [see Dt 23:7, 2 Sam 1:26, Jer 34:9], as in the reference to the forty-two “brethren” of king Ahaziah [see 2 Ki 10:13]. The words could refer to people unrelated, such as a close friend [see 1 Ki 9:13, 20:32]. This ambiguous usage is because neither Hebrew nor Aramaic had a special word meaning “cousin”. Speakers of those languages used either the word for “brother” or a clumsy circumlocution such as “the son of the sister of my father”. So the writers naturally just used the word ‘brother’. Ancient Jews and New Testament writers used the equivalent of ‘brethren’ to mean cousins and sons, stepsons or nephews of the same parent, plus other relatives.[3]

When Gabriel told Mary she was having a baby, Mary asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” [Lu 1:34 KJV]. Did Mary make a vow of lifelong virginity, even in marriage? If she had not taken such a vow the question is problematic. Mary presumably knew the normal way in which children are conceived. If she anticipated having children she would not have to ask “how” she was to have a child since pregnancy would be expected of a newlywed. Mary’s question only makes sense if there was a conflict between keeping a vow of virginity and having a baby the usual way. A close examination of NT scriptures will show how Mary could keep such a vow and never have any other children except Jesus. The citizens of Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, refer to him as “the son of Mary” [Mk 6:3 KJV], not as 'a' son of Mary. Given the linguistic difficulties, it means Jesus' brothers are relatives. Jesus is the only one called "the son of Mary" [emphasis added]. If these others were also sons of Mary, Jesus would be called "a" son of Mary-meaning one of other sons. Others in the Gospels are never called Mary’s sons, even when they are called Jesus’ “brethren”.[4]

There is another finer point to consider. In ancient Eastern societies elder sons were senior to younger; the younger were subject to the elder. We find Jesus’ “brethren” saying to him that he should go to Judea so he could make a name for himself [see Jn 7:3-4]. Another time they sought to restrain him calling him insane [see Mk 3:21]. This type of behavior makes sense only if the “brethren” were Jesus' elder step brothers. [See 1 Tim 5:1-2 & 1Pet 5:5] That eliminates them as his biological brothers, as sons of Mary, since Jesus was Mary’s “first-born” and her only son.[5]

Let’s fast forward to the scene at the foot of the cross. As he was dying, Jesus entrusted the care of his mother to the beloved disciple. [see Jn 19:26-27]. The Gospels mention four “brethren”; why would Jesus disregard family ties and make this provision for Mary unless these four were not her biological sons? If these were Jesus’ younger brothers Mary would live with one of them. It only makes sense if these “brothers” are older stepbrothers. [See 1Tim 5:1, 1Pet 5:5] There is an apostolic tradition that Joseph was a widower with sons at the time of his marriage to Mary. Since there was no word or phrase in Aramaic or Hebrew to mean 'step brother' or ‘half brother’, it follows that these four would simply be called “brethren.” James, in fact, is described in Mt 10:3 as the son of Alphaeus.[6]

Finally,let’s compare the New Covenant Ark with the Old Covenant Ark. In 1 Chr 13:10 we read that Uzza touched the Ark only to steady it but God was offended and Uzza died. The Ark of the OC was too holy to touch. Joseph knew Mary was pregnant with The Messiah [see Mt 1:20] and Mary's true spouse was the Holy Spirit. If Joseph took Mary carnally he’d be committing adultery. What was in the old Ark? Manna, Tablets and Staff. What was in the New Ark? The living Son of God! Scripture describes Joseph as a just and kindly man and in Lu 2:34 Joseph is declared "blessed" under the Holy Spirit. In Mt 1:24, 2:13-14, 20-21 Joseph is obedient to God. By his virtues, Joseph would guard, protect, provide and assist her with whatever she would need, including the keeping of a vow of purity. If God would bless Obed-edom [see 1Chr 13:13-14] for keeping and protecting the old Ark for only three months then what of Joseph? He kept and protected the New Ark for the rest of his life.

We believe the scriptures solidly demonstrate that Jesus was Mary's only child. What we believe about Mary is intimately hinged with what we believe about Christ. Mary had a uniquely eminent relationship with God as daughter, spouse and mother; not of her own human merits but for the merits of Christ and her maternity therefore carries a character of special holiness unique to her.

Mary’s Assumption - Dogma Four: The Assumption is not an ascension into heaven. Christ, by his own power, ascended into heaven. Mary is believed assumed, or taken up into heaven by God. She did not do it under her own power. The possibility of a bodily assumption before the Second Coming is not excluded by 1Cor 15:23. There is some scriptural warrant for the belief. Enoch “walked with God, and he was seen no more because God took him” [see Gen 5:24 DR]. The phrase “God took him” is in place of the usual formula “then he died”. It is unique and clearly implies that Enoch did not die. In Hebrews 11:5 and Sirach 49:16 it is explained, “Enoch was taken away without dying”. This is clearly an assumption. The rest of the verse says “before he [Enoch] was taken up, he was pleasing to God.” Mary was much more than just “pleasing to God”. Mary “found favor with God” [NAB], was "full of grace" [KJV] and the word “blessed” is applied to Mary seven times throughout. So if a man who was "pleasing to God" can be assumed into heaven, then certainly it is fitting that God would assume into heaven the Theotokos, the Mother of God.[7]

Then there is Elijah who was assumed into heaven in a fiery chariot [see 2Ki 2:1-13, 2Mac 2:58 & Mt 17:3]. Lastly, there is the reference to the second coming of Christ when those alive on earth will be taken up in the clouds to meet the Lord "in the air” [see 1Th 4:17]. This is scriptural evidence of an assumption, being taken body and soul alive into heaven. It is reasonable to believe the dogma of Mary’s assumption based upon this scriptural evidence and the magisterial authority through which it is taught. Consider the negative historical evidence. Early Christian writings say St. John and Mary went to live at Ephesus. Now, if Mary died at Ephesus then why does not the city claim her remains? Either she didn't die there or there are no remains to claim.[8]

In the very early Christian centuries the relics of saints were highly prized, guarded and preserved. The remains of those martyred in the Coliseum were quickly retrieved and preserved. Cities vied for the title of the last resting place of various saints. The remains of many saints are claimed by as many cities and quite a number of these are famous. For example, in Assisi, Italy, the tomb of St Francis rests in a large, very beautiful basilica. It was erected on a hilltop overlooking the little town. The citizens of Assisi are honored to claim the final resting place of St. Francis’ remains. Here is Mary, the most privileged and saintly of all the saints, but there's no record or hint of her bodily remains being venerated at any given place or time in history. Evidently, there are none.

The foundation of the dogma concerns the fittingness of the privilege rather than scriptural proof. These include Mary’s freedom from sin, her motherhood of God the Son, her perpetual virginity, and - the crucial element- her participation through her motherly support [see Jn 2:12, Acts 1:14] in the salvific work of Christ. It is most fitting that she should have the full fruit of the Redemption, which is the glorification of the soul and body. The story has circulated over the centuries that Mary died in Jerusalem and was entombed there. The next day the Apostles gathered at her tomb for prayer and found the tomb empty. No trace of her mortal remains have ever been found. The Apostles believed God assumed Mary into heaven, like Enoch and Elijah of old, and this belief has been handed on. Think of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. If Mary had no sin on her soul, she would not be subject to certain consequences of sin such as bodily corruption and confinement in a dusty tomb. [See also Redemptoris Mater (Mother of Redemption) by John Paul II, 25MAR1987]

EXEGESIS: Life of Mary

Mary, Mother of God, foretold and prefigured: Gen 3:15, Prov 31:10-31, Sir 24, Is 7:14, Jer 31:22

Annunciation Lu 1:26-38 Flees to Egypt Mt 2:13

Visitation Lu 1:39-45 Return to Nazareth Mt 2:20-23

Magnificat Lu 1:46-55 Jesus lost & found Lu 2:41-52

Gives birth Mt 1:16; Lu 2:1-20 At Cana Jn 2:1-11

Mother of Jesus Mt 1:18-25, Mt 2:13 Jesus’ Ministry Mt 12:46-47, Mk 3:31

Mother of God Lu 1:43 At Calvary Jn 19:25

Visit of Magi Mt 2:11 Given to Disciple Jn 19:26

Visit of Shepherds Lu 2:15-20 With Apostles Acts 1:14

Jesus Presented Lu 2:22 At Pentecost Acts 2:1-4

Sorrows Prophesied Lu 2:34 An Assumption Heb 11:5

Jesus honors her Lu 2:51&11:27-28; Mk 3:35 Mary Assumed Rev 11:19,12:1,5,14-17

Mother of the Church Rom 8:29-30 Our spiritual Mother Rev 12:17

[See also CCC 144, 411, 484-511, 722, 963-75, 2030]

EXEGESIS

THE CLOSENESS OF MARY AND JESUS – [NAB]

Mt 2:11 they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.

Mt 2:13 “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. . . .”

Mt 2:14 Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.

Mt 2:20 “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, . . ."

Mt 2:21 He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.

MARY’S ‘BLESSEDNESS - [KJV]

Lu 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, . . . the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Lu 1:41 Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Lu 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women

Lu 1:45 And blessed is she that believed [Speaking of Mary]

Lu 1:48 from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Lu 2:25 there was a man . . . whose name was Simeon; and . . . the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Lu 2:34 And Simeon blessed them [Joseph and Mary were both blessed by Simeon under the HS]

Lu 11:27 Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

Lu 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. [Mary did too]

NATURE OF CHRIST & SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH - [NAB]

Is 7:14 the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. [Notice "the" virgin]

Is 9:5 They name him Wonder-counselor, God-hero, / Father-forever, Prince of Peace.

Mic 5:2 until the time / when she who is to give birth has borne, [Notice "she who is" to give birth-specific]

Mt 1:20 For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. [Incarnation of Christ-divine]

Mt 2:11 They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [Worship is for God alone, indicates Jesus' divinity in human body]

Lu 1:35 Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. [Divinity and humanity together]

Ph 2:6-7 Who, though he was in the form of God, . . . coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, [He was both divine and human all at once]

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - [NAB]

Gen 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, / and between your offspring and hers [Jesus and Mary both created and held free from all sin]

Sir 39:18 He has but to command and his will is done; / nothing can limit his achievement. [God's power]

Sir 39:19 The works of all mankind are present to him; / not a thing escapes his eye. [No secrets to God]

Sir 39:20 His gaze spans all the ages; / to him there is nothing unexpected. [God sees through all time]

Sir 39:21 Everything is chosen to satisfy a need. [God can create an immaculate conception for Mary]

Sir 39:22 His blessing overflows like the Nile; / like the Euphrates it enriches the surface of the earth. [Not casually but with much love and care]

Jer 31:22 the woman must encompass the man with devotion. [Woman=Mary. Man=Jesus.]

MOTHER OF GOD - [NAB]

Lu 1:32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High [Jesus is the Son of God in human form]

Lu 1:43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [Mother of God]

Mt 2:11 They prostrated themselves and did him homage. [Recognized him as God-Mary is his mother]

Ph 2:6-7 he was in the form of God, . . . coming in human likeness [Divine/human-Mary is his mother]

MARY, EVER VIRGIN - [KJV] – Emphases is the author's

Gen 11:26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran. [Brothers proper]

Gen 11:27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot. [Lot was Abram's nephew; not his brother proper]

Gen 29:15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, [Jacob was not Laban's brother. Jacob was Laban's nephew two generations removed. Jacob's actual brother was Esau.]

Dt 23:8 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother [Edomites, descendents of Esau are cousins.]

1Chr 23:21-22 The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish. And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them. [Eleazar's daughters married their cousins.]

Jer 34:9 that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother. [Kinsmen called brothers.]

2Sam 1:26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me [David and Jonathan were kinsmen and good friends, both Jews, not brothers proper.]

1Ki 9:13 And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? [King Solomon called King Hiram his "brother"; they were not related at all. It appears to be a diplomatic usage.]

1Ki 20:32 Is he yet alive? he is my brother. [Not brothers proper; kinsmen only.]

2Ki 10:13 We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen. [Relatives or kinsmen; not brothers proper. See also Mt 12:49, ]

Mk 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? [Given the linguistic difficulties, it means these are relatives. Jesus is the only one called "the son of Mary". If these others were brothers proper, Jesus would be called "a" son of Mary-meaning one of other sons.]

Mt 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus

1Tim 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren [Jesus may have been younger than his "brethren", See also Mk 3:21]

1Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. [Younger must submit to elder]

Jn 7:3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea [Elder advise younger]

Joseph's Character: Just, obedient and blessed

Mt 1:19 being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

Mt 1:24 … Joseph … did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife [Obedient]

Mt 2:13-14 … Arise, … and flee … he arose … and departed [Obedient]

Mt 2:20-21 "Arise, … and go into … Israel..." he arose, and … came into the land of Israel.

Lu 2:25 … there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon… and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Lu 2:34 And Simeon blessed them [Joseph and Mary together blessed under HS]

Old / New Ark

1Chr 13:10 the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, … and there he died before God.

Heb 9:4 … the ark of the covenant … wherein was the … manna, and Aaron’s rod … and the tablets

Mt 1:20 "…fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." [Mary-spouse of the HS – was Mary the new Ark of the New Covenant?]

MARY’S ASSUMPTION INTO HEAVEN - [NAB]

Gen 5:24 Then Enoch walked with God, and he was no longer here, for God took him. [First assumption]

2Cor 12:2 I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago … was caught up to the third heaven. [Was this an assumption? It is possible but it is vague; it remains a fascinating enigma]

Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and “he was found no more because God had taken him.” Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God. [Confirmed in NT]

2Ki 2:11 a flaming chariot . . . came . . . and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. [2nd assumption]

1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, . . . will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. [The 'rapture' is the assumption of believers alive on earth when Christ returns.]

Rev 11:19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm. [Mary is the new ark if the New Covenant because of her divine motherhood of Christ]

Rev 12:1 A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. [The "moon" symbolizes paganism defeated by Christ. Is evocative of the 16th century apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.]

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH, IS OUR SPIRITUAL MOTHER - [NAB]

Jn 19:26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” [Mary's motherhood is expanded]

Jn 19:27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. [In the throes of agonized suffering Mary acquired a new son.]

Rom 8:29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [Christ is our spiritual brother; Mary our spiritual mother.]

Rom 8:30 And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified. [Mary was predestined to be Christ's mother and she freely accepted the call. God would "justify" and "glorify" her also.]

Rev 12:17 Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus. [Notice "rest of her offspring"; Mary's motherhood expanded to include the faithful of Christ. Because her divine Son is King of kings, Mary is also our spiritual Queen Mother.]

JESUS HONORED HIS MOTHER – WE SHOULD DO LIKEWISE - [NAB]

Jn 19:26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” [Jesus last will and testament for His mother's care.]

Jn 19:27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. [Jesus willed the disciple to take Mary in and care for her and we're supposed to do this too.]

Rom 8:30 those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified. [Mary was predestined and called to divine motherhood of Christ, the Son of God in human form. She is justified and glorified. See Rev 11:19 and Rev 12:1&4 "the woman clothed with the sun" and "about to give birth" can only be Mary giving birth to the Church through her agony at Golgotha and acquisition of another son in the beloved disciple.]

1Cor 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. [Paul imitated Christ and he orders us to imitate himself. Imitating Christ means doing what Jesus did. Jesus loved and honored his mother. The beloved disciple took Mary into his home and cared for her; imitating St. Paul means we must do likewise - take Mary into the home of our hearts and care for her with love and devotion. [Also 2Th 3:7,9; Heb 13:7; 3Jn 1:11.]

BIBLE STUDY #1: THE CLOSENESS OF MARY AND JESUS Mt 2:11. 13, 14, 20, & 21

How many times does the phrase “the child and his mother” appear? What is the significance?

BIBLE STUDY #2: MARY’S ‘BLESSEDNESS’ Lu 1:28 Lu 1:42 Lu 1:45 Lu 1:48 Lu 2:25-34

Lu 11:27&28 How many times is Mary called ‘blessed’ or ‘blest’ and under what circumstances? Who else in the Bible is called “blessed” or “blest” this many times? What is the significance?

BIBLE STUDY #3: NATURE OF CHRIST & SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH Is 7:14 Mic 5:2 Is 9: 5 Mt 1:20 Mt 2:11 Lu 1:35 Phil 2:6&7 Why does the scripture say “the virgin” instead of “a virgin”? Who does Isaiah say is Emmanuel? Who is Jesus? What is his nature? If Jesus was human only, how did he work his miracles and forgive sins and why did Mary need to be The Virgin?

BIBLE STUDY #4: MARY, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Gen 3:15 Sir 39: 18-21 Jer 31:22

Who is the serpent? Who is “the woman”? What is the serpent’s offspring? Who is the woman’s offspring that ‘strikes at’ the serpent’s head? If there is ‘enmity’ between the woman and the serpent and ‘enmity’ between the woman’s offspring and the serpent’s, does that mean the woman and her offspring both have no common ground with evil? Does having “no common ground” with evil mean never being in contact with it? Note the absence of time limits or other exceptions. Can God create an immaculate conception?

BIBLE STUDY #5: MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Mt 2:11 Lu 1:32, 43 Lu 2:7 Phil 2:6&7 Who is Mary? What did the Angel say about the baby? Why did the Magi worship Him? If Jesus is “Son of God”, and Mary is his mother, can she be called ‘Mother of God'?

BIBLE STUDY #6: MARY, EVER VIRGIN Gen 14:14 Gen 11:26-27 Gen 29:15 1Ch 23:21-22 Dt 23:8 Jer 34:9 2Ki 10:13 2Sam 1:26 1Ki 9:13, 20:32 Mk 6:3

Mt 10:3 How did the writers refer to relatives? Describe the usage. Who does Mt 10:3 say is the father of James, Jesus’ “brother”? Who else is called a son of Mary?

1Tim 5:1 1Pet. 5:5 How do "younger" and "elder" interrelate in ancient Jewish society?

BIBLE STUDY #7: MARY, ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN

Gen 5:24 2Ki 2:1-13 2 Mac 2:58 1Cor 15:23 1Th 4:17 Heb 11:5 Rev 11:19 & 12:1

How fitting is it that God would assume the Theotokos into heaven? In 1Th 4:17 who else will be assumed into heaven? If Mary was preserved from sin, why would she be subject to its consequences - death and bodily corruption? If Mary is dead, why does no city or entity claim her remains?

BIBLE STUDY #8: MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH, IS OUR SPIRITUAL MOTHER

Jn 19:26-27 Rom 8:29-30 Rev 12:17 Why did Jesus entrust his Mother to the disciple? In Rom 8:29-30, Paul is writing of Christ; who are the “many brothers” of Christ? Does this verse exclude Mary?

BIBLE STUDY #9: JESUS HONORED HIS MOTHER – WE SHOULD DO LIKEWISE

Mt 12:50 & 15:4 Mk 3:35 & 7:10 Lu 1:39-45 & 2:51 Jn 19:25

Compare all the verses – is Jesus demonstrating something?

1Th 1:6 If we are to be “imitators of the Lord” does that mean we must imitate Jesus’ example and honor Mary and take her into our homes and hearts? Would Jesus be pleased with us? If we ignore Our Lord's mother, or worse, dishonor or disparage her, would Our Lord be impressed with that? (Hint: dishonor and disparagement are not Christian virtues.)

Genesis 3:15 [NAB]

(Note: format and interpretive words in italic are the author’s)

“I will put enmity [sinlessness, no common ground] between you [Satan] and the woman [Mary],

and between your [Satan’s] offspring [evil & sin] and hers [Christ];

He [Christ] will strike at your head [destroy Satan's power], while you [Satan]

strike at His heel [crucify Christ's physical body].”

CLOSING PRAYER Luke 1: 38, 46-55 [DR]

ANTIPHON—All Together: And Mary said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord:

be it done to me according to thy word.”

Side A: And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;

because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid:

for, behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;

because he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name;

Side B: and his mercy is from generation to generation

on those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm,

he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart,

Side A: He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

and has exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

Side B: He has given help to Israel, his servant,

mindful of his mercy—

Even as he spoke to our fathers—

to Abraham and to his posterity forever.”

ANTIPHON—All Together: And Mary said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord:

be it done to me according to thy word.”

Let us pray:

Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women and

Blessed is the fruit of your womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners

now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, And to the Son, And to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, Is now and ever shall be

World without end. Amen

Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins,

Save us from the fires of hell and

Take all souls to heaven

Especially those in most need of Your mercy. Amen[9]

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[1] Catholic Encyclopedia, 1910; Vol 7, p 674, article by F.G.Holweck. R.Appleton Co.; NY, NY. Presented by Newadvent.org, used with permission.

[2] Keating, page 282, paragraph 3

[3] Keating, page 282, paragraph 4

[4] Keating, page 283-284

[5] Keating, page 284, paragraph 3

[6] Keating, page 284, paragraph 4

[7] Keating, page 272, paragraph 5

[8] Keating, page 274

[9] These are among the most common prayers of the Church and they are centuries old. The "Oh my Jesus" Fatima prayer dates to 1917.