BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER!
John the Son of Zebedee or the Beloved Disciple, has his own style of writing. You would notice that he doesn't employ explicitly the synoptic writers' (Matthew, Mark and Luke) styles of writing. John wrote in his old age to supplement the synoptic Gospels, with his own, more meditative memories.
John presents Jesus as the Eternal Word of God who became a human being (Incarnation) and lived among us (1:14). This book was written to show that Jesus is the Promised Saviour, the Son of God, and eternal life through faith in him. John also wrote the Epistles (1,2,3 John). Apocalypse (Revelation) was written by a "certain John" who is neither the beloved disciple nor the Son of Zebedee. However, we shall study it under "John".
For our purpose today, we shall look at the Gospel and the book of Revelation and their messages on the Mother of God.
John affirms the incarnation but does not mention Mary's role but the prologue attests that Mary's child, Jesus Christ, is God. Mary is introduced at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee (2:1-11). In this episode, Mary calls Jesus' attention to the fact that the hosts have run out of wine. Jesus apparently refuses to intervene, but then changes six large containers of water into "fine wine". This passage presents Mary as one who believes in Jesus and who intercedes for others.
John also presents the relations of Jesus (2:12). He states Jesus' brothers didn't believe in him (7:5). A theme often used by John is "misunderstanding". After Jesus speaks of himself as the bread that came down from heaven, the audience retorted how can he say so? (6:42) This is because, the audience know only of his human nature( as the Son of Mary and perhaps Joseph) but not his divine nature.
Mary makes a final appearance in John's Gospels at the crucifixion of Jesus (19:25-27). The other writers do not include Mary among those women who witnessed Christ's death, but John places her near the Cross. With her is the disciple whom Jesus loved and Jesus entrusted them to each other. (Behold your mother,... Behold your Son)!
The book of Revelation was written after AD 90 to give reassurance to Christians during a persecution by the Roman Emperor Domitian. Chapter 12 of it draws its imagery from a number of Old Testament passages and makes several complex parallels between individuals and groups. Mary becomes an image of the Church, and the "woman clothed with the sun" (12:1), seems to be both Mary and the Church.
The Gospel writers portrayed Mary as the mother who miraculously conceived the Son of God and gave birth to the Saviour of the World. Will you also appreciate her as your mother in the words of Jesus "Behold your Mother"?
To Be Continued....
Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!🙏🏽
#Ave_Maria
#Grace_Abounds💫
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