Mary is the Mother of God
(Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)
Today, we also celebrate the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, a solemn observance that emphasises Mary’s pivotal role in salvation history. As the mother of Jesus, she rightfully holds the title “Mother of God,” reflecting the belief that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human. Though Mary may not have fully understood the implications of her divine calling (as indicated in Luke 1:45), she accepted her role with profound faith and complete submission to God’s will. Her declaration, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), encapsulates her life’s mission and exemplifies the response all Christians should aspire to as they journey to fulfil the destiny God has laid out for them.
In 431 AD, the Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus firmly affirmed the title “Mother of God” for the Virgin Mary, addressing and dispelling debates about its validity. This council proclaimed that Mary of Nazareth is indeed the mother of Christ, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Given that Jesus embodies both humanity and divinity, she is deserving of this esteemed title, as affirmed by her relative Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. During Mary’s visitation to her, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:41-43). Elizabeth’s reference to “my Lord” underscores Jesus's divine identity, emphasising that Mary is his mother.
The Council of Ephesus firmly rejected the Nestorian heresy, which mistakenly characterised Christ as a merely human entity closely associated with the divine being of God’s Son. Instead, the council affirmed that the Word of God united with humanity in His very person, claiming, “the Word, uniting to himself in his person the flesh animated by a rational soul, became man.” This declaration established that the humanity of Christ is entirely subject to the divine person of the Son of God, who embraced it from the moment of conception. Consequently, the council declared that Mary is the “Mother of God" because she bore Him in her womb through the Holy Spirit’s divine action. The council articulated that she bears this title not because the divinity of the Word received existence from her, but rather because the holy body, endowed with a rational soul, which the Word of God united to Himself in hypostasis, was born of her. The term “hypostasis” denotes “one substance,” signifying the profound union of human and divine natures within the single divine person of Jesus Christ.
In the First Reading, we encounter the divinely ordained priestly blessing intended for Israel, God’s covenant people. Although the actual blessing is presented in singular form, it addresses the community as a unified entity. The blessing invokes the sacred name of God, YHWH (Yahweh), three times throughout the prayer. Christians interpret this thrice-repeated invocation of the divine name as an early revelation of God's Triune nature, foreshadowing the significance of Christ's arrival.
The Responsorial Psalm calls upon all of humanity to recognise Yahweh as the one true God. It conveys a heartfelt petition for God to reveal Himself to all nations, reflecting the hope that all people will join in worship and partake in His gift of universal salvation. Together with Mary’s Son, Jesus, who is the embodiment of these promises, this longing for universal salvation articulated by the psalmist finds fulfilment. The psalmist's hope to share the “good news” of God's salvation with all people and to invite them into the divine family is realised within the context of Jesus's Kingdom, understood as the Universal Catholic Church.
In the Second Reading, St. Paul elaborates on the transformative reality of divine sonship made possible through redemption. He explains that believers transition from being mere sons and daughters of the Adamic lineage to becoming adopted children within the family of God. Through the merits of Jesus Christ, Christians are liberated from the bondage of worldly existence and embraced as heirs of the Kingdom alongside Jesus Himself. The presence of the Holy Spirit, a precious gift made available through Christ, intimately links every baptised Christian with God the Father. This divine adoption is not merely a symbolic or legal association with the lineage of Christ; rather, it embodies an actual gift of new life, incorporating believers into the intimate family of the Most Holy Trinity.
In the Gospel Reading, we observe the diligent shepherds, who, following the angel’s directives, sought out the newborn child, the designated sign of God's promise. These humble shepherds are the first to bear witness to and proclaim the "good news", heralding the arrival of the Messiah, as foretold by the prophets, who has now come to dwell among humanity. Their recognition and proclamation underscore the joy and hope that accompany the birth of Christ, illuminating the path that He sets forth for the world.
In the Bible, the concept of a "sign" plays a crucial role in conveying the more profound meaning and purpose of God's Divine Plan. These signs can manifest in both natural and supernatural ways, serving as divine indicators that lead individuals toward a deeper understanding of God's intentions. The Catholic Church recognises and celebrates these signs through its liturgy of worship, which intricately weaves together words, actions, and symbols, each representing the sacred nature of the divine encounter.
An exemplary instance of this can be seen in the story of the humble shepherds who, guided by heavenly angels, discovered the "sign" pointing to the newborn child in the manger as described in Luke 2:12. These shepherds, embodying simplicity and faith, became the first messengers of the "good news" of the Messiah's arrival, fulfilling the promises made by the prophets in the preceding verses (Luke 2:17-18). Their proclamation underscores the importance of recognising divine signs in our own lives.
The Feast of Mary, Mother of God, holds special significance as it completes the octave of Christmas, marking eight days since the birth of Christ on December 25th, a period traditionally celebrated by the ancients. This feast day not only celebrates Mary's vital role as the mother of Jesus but also commemorates the moment when Jesus entered into a covenant with God through the "sign" of circumcision and received His name. This act of circumcision is a profound sign that foreshadows the sacrament of Christian Baptism, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 527). In a unique intersection of sacred and secular, January 1st was chosen as the first day of the civil calendar, while the liturgical year begins with the first Sunday of Advent.
The angel Gabriel first revealed the name "Jesus" to the Virgin Mary during the Annunciation, as recorded in Luke 1:31, and later communicated this significant name to Joseph in Matthew 1:21. Both events occurred before Jesus’s birth. In humble obedience to the angel's command, Mary and Joseph named their child "Jesus," a name meaning "Yahweh is salvation," with the Hebrew variations being Yahshua or Yeshua and the Aramaic equivalent being Yehoshua. This act of naming is steeped in biblical tradition, reaffirming Jesus's identity as the fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant, where circumcision served as the sign marking entry into a covenant family relationship with Yahweh.
The Sinai Covenant reiterated this command, establishing circumcision as a "sign" of the union between God and His people (Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59-60). The ritual of circumcision was more than a physical act; it signified the child's incorporation into the covenantal community of Israel, representing a physical manifestation of an internal commitment to a life dedicated to the God of Israel. In biblical numerology, the number eight holds significant meaning; it symbolises salvation, resurrection, and new life or regeneration. This is illustrated by the eighth day, which follows the seven days of the week and signifies the start of a new sequence.
For instance, Jesus’s Resurrection, which occurred on the eighth day (Sunday), following the Old Covenant Sabbath (Saturday), represents the establishment of a new Sabbath observance and the dawn of the latest and eternal covenant foretold by the prophet Jeremiah in the 6th century BC (Jeremiah 31:31; 32:40; 50:5). Furthermore, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the eighth day (Sunday), fifty days post-Resurrection (as calculated by the ancients), marks a spiritual rebirth, transforming the old Israel into the new Israel of the New Covenant community (as referenced in CCC 877 and the document “The Significance of Numbers in Scripture”).
Mary and Joseph’s adherence to the laws regarding Jesus's circumcision marked the initial steps toward the fulfilment of the old Law, which would ultimately evolve into the New Covenant embodied in Christ Jesus. This event symbolises the dawning of a New Covenant Law centred around the principles of divine love for God and compassionate love for our "neighbours," encompassing all humanity. Through this lens, we see that Jesus’s mission of love and mercy was initiated, reaching out to a world in need of salvation.
As Mary diligently reflected on the unfolding events surrounding her and her child, she recalled the fulfilment of the angel Gabriel’s message (Luke 1:26-38). Her contemplative nature not only deepened her understanding but also prompted readers and the community of believers to delve into the significance of these events. Mary’s journey was just beginning, a path that would ultimately reshape human history. St. Luke’s emphasis on her contemplation invites all to ponder the broader implications of these sacred events and to consider their own life's journey as they walk alongside Christ, nurturing the hope of receiving the gift of eternal salvation.
Today, we honour Mary of Nazareth, the revered mother of Jesus. She embodies the promised "woman" of Genesis 3:15, from whom the Saviour arose to vanquish the serpent, symbolising Satan, who held sway over fallen humanity (Revelation 12:9). In her role as the mother of the Divine High Priest, she embodies the fulfilment of the prayers voiced in the sanctuary. St. Paul's declaration that Jesus was "born of a woman, born under the Law” underscores His full humanity, as He was nurtured by a loving and devout mother who faithfully adhered to the Law of the Covenant. This profound connection reinforces the beauty of Mary’s role in salvation history and reminds us of the significance of her legacy in our spiritual lives.
Dr Nicholas Macedon, OCD,
Jeeva Jyothi Carmelite Institute of Spirituality (JJCIS),
Old Gandarvakottai,
Pudukottai - 613301.
Tamil Nadu, India
What's app - +91 - 9698453101
Comments
Post a Comment