This is the Catholic vision of life, drawn from the teaching and life of Jesus Christ that, Mary's place in it is both essential and unique. She stands precisely at the focal point of human history. She was one of those who lived before Christ and hoped for the Messiah. She was the first person to accept Jesus Christ in faith and to welcome him into human existence. Because Jesus was miraculous conceived in Mary's womb by God's power, she is the only person through whom Jesus Christ is related to us and to the rest of the human race.... Wow! What a mother!
God chose Mary, therefore, for the most important role in history after that of Jesus. Her obedience to God and her dedication to Jesus set her above all others. It's true, of course that Mary could not have become the Mother of Christ without the grace of God. But God depended on Mary's consent to the incarnation and without Mary's faithful obedience, Christ would not had entered our history as he did.
So the first reason Catholics honor Mary, Mother of God is that she played the most important part in God's plan to bring Jesus Christ into the world.
Because Mary is a woman, she models those aspects of God's goodness which we usually recognize as feminine. God is always addressed as "Father" rather than "Mother" in the Bible, but both paternal and maternal roles are ascribed to God. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you says prophet Isaiah (66:13) as God's address to Israel. Jesus compares himself to a mother hen protecting her chicks under wings (Luke 13:34).
Scripture used images which assign feminine characteristics to God in both the Old and New Testament. These images find their finest expression in Mary, Mother of God.
I agree with Oscar Lukefahr when he said: Mary, the "virgin-handmaid" of the Lord, portrays trust and humble submission to God. Mary, the Madonna, cradling the baby Jesus in her arms, depicts God's loving tenderness. Mary, the Pieta, receiving the broken body of Christ from the cross personifies compassion and hope. These and countless other images of Mary have put the human family in touch with God in unique and powerful ways...
To be Continued...
Mary Mother of God, pray for us🙏🏽
#Ave_Maria🧕🏽
#Grace_Abounds💫
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