Who is this Woman called Mary?

Who is this Woman called Mary?

Of course now that Advent has arrived and Christians hear the story about the Angel Gabriel appearing to a young girl in Nazareth, the mystery of the Incarnation begins to take on some truth.  Most adults and adolescent children can tell the incidents that occurred in the Christmas story.  It is a wonderful way to share the steps that began with the Annunciation to Mary, her visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, the journey to Bethlehem for the census, and the scene in a stable when Jesus, her baby was born.

All Christian denominations will agree to what has happened and submit their opinions as to the methods involved within the narrative of Christ’s birth.  But the different approaches to how God chose this young girl to become the human vehicle for this miraculous event and the assorted lifestyle concerning this young girl as Jesus grows to maturity culminating at the Cross of Calvary now are steeped in controversy.

What are the specific terms given to this Woman and how are they approached by others than Roman Catholics?  The Immaculate Conception;  “to become the mother of the Savior, Mary was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.  The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as “full of grace.”  In fact , in order for Mary to be able to give free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly born by God’s grace.”  CCC 490

“Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception.  That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854:  “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.”  CCC 492

Would God choose one who is born with original sin to carry within her womb His Only Son?  

The proponents that most protestant denominations adhere to is that since Mary was human as all of us are, original sin is also handed down to her as well and she needed baptism as each of us to free us from the scourge of that sin.  As with other criteria regarding Mary their question says it isn’t written in scripture and therefore has no credence in the bible.  

Yet, they profess belief in the Holy Trinity which is not directly mentioned.  However, with the announcement all three persons are mentioned during the annunciation of the angel Gabriel Lk. 1: 26 ff.  It appears that what suits them is ok while the tradition is not.

Mary’s virginity is also a gift from God as the one chosen to give birth foretold in Isaiah the promise of a messiah.  “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am well pleased, Upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street.  A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.”   (Is 42: 1 - 4).

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign; the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.”  (Is. 7: 14).  Just any woman or girl chosen regardless of her sinfulness?  I think not!

“The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary’s real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man.  In fact, Christ’s birth did not diminish his mother’s virginal integrity but sanctified it.  And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the Ever-virgin.  CCC 499

“Against this doctrine the objection is sometimes raised that the bible mentions the brothers and sisters of Jesus.  The Church has always understood these passages as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary.  In fact James and Joseph, brothers of Jesus, are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ, whom St. Matthew significantly calls the other Mary.  They are close relations to Jesus, according to Old Testament expression.”  CCC 500

Cf Mt. 13: 55, “Is he not the carpenter’s son;  27: 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.   28: 1 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.”

Far too many descriptive verses that indicate how quickly some denominations confuse Mary, the mother of God, to fit their own lack of bible interpretation.  

Ralph B. Hathaway.