When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved,
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Jesus did not say these words only for Mary and John. His purpose was more than to ensure that his mother would have someone to take care of her when he would not be present to do so. It was that. But the reason he spoke in archetypal language, calling her "Woman" was to emphasize that it was also more. As Eve had been the first woman, intended to be the mother of the living, so now Mary became the New Eve, mother of all of the beloved disciples of Jesus.
Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus (see Revelation 12:17).
Not long after the first Eve failed, it was promised that there would be a new woman, who would not yield to the serpent, but who would remain at enmity with it. It was written that her seed would strike at the head of the serpent, even though seed was an unusual expression in the case of women. It seemed inexplicable until the virgin birth of Jesus demonstrated that there would be no man involved to make that contribution. It was still awkward, perhaps, but at least explained by that event.
The serpent wasn't going to have his way with Mary the Mother of God. This is what was meant by enmity. Now we are meant to come to her and learn the safety and protection that can be found in her presence. When we are close to Mary as our mother she keeps us safe by constantly reminding us that we must do whatever her son tells us, just as she said to the servants at Cana (see John 2:5). But not only that, she calls our attention to places where the wine is running short, were the world is in need of the joy that only Jesus can give. She helps to form and shape us to share our light with the world just as she did Jesus himself.
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,
together with some women,
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
The birth of Jesus came about when the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and the power of the Most High overshadowed her (see Luke 1:35). Being so intimately familiar with the Holy Spirit that tradition calls her the spouse of the Spirit allowed her to draw others to share in that experience and to encounter him as she had. She was the point of unity around whom the disciples gathered at Pentecost. They probably didn't have much of an idea what to expect or how to seek the power from on high promised by Jesus. But Mary knew exactly what he was talking about and so served to ground and guide them as they did so. She was like a lightning rod to whom the Spirit was inexorably drawn, or like a midwife who knew well how to bring the Spirit to birth in individual hearts. Pentecost was said to be the birthday of the Church. Therefore it seems fitting the the mother of the Church had such a preeminent role in that process.
We may have relatives with whom we seldom speak, or who are only acknowledged by a picture on the wall or in the family album. But hopefully we are blessed to have kin with whom we are regularly in contact. We don't gain much by looking at a picture. Our relationships don't grow much if we only write the occasional perfunctory letter or email. The fact that the Church calls us to take Mary as our mother means that we are meant to be in close personal relationship with her. Let's not leave her looking for us among our relatives. It is true that she is with Jesus in heaven reigning over us and therefore not alone. But something is missing for her spiritual presence on earth if we neglect her and keep her at a distance. Unless we draw near to her our own enmity with the serpent remains at risk of collapse. Our own appropriation of that Spirit remains difficult and stilted without her guidance. Our lives do not have the fullness God intends for us without her. She is part of the program by which we are not left as orphans. It may be possible to be saved without any real Marian devotion. But it is certainly not preferable.
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
No comments:
Post a Comment