Born of a Virgin

It's that time of the year when we drag out the Nativity set and dust off the Blessed Virgin.  I'm betting it's the only time a non-Catholic gives Mary a second thought.  For a Catholic, however, we hang with Mary throughout the year.   Why?  Because that's what Jesus did, and we want to be like Him in all ways.  He was a nice Jewish boy, raised on the commandment to honor his mother and father, so we think He'd like it if we honored his mom.  So we do. 

That's the simple explanation.  There is a compelling theological argument to explain Mary's role in salvation history.  That's where Deacon Tim comes in - I'm okay with the simple "because that's what Jesus did" argument. :) 

If you are Protestant and tempted not to listen to this podcast, come on - it's a great time of year to learn more about the mother of our Lord!  How can you resist a woman who said "yes" to that unfathomable message from the angel Gabriel?

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Comments

[Linda]

In the Jewish faith, lineage is handed down through the Father, but the Covenant is passed through the Mother. All children born to Jewish Mothers are obligated to observe all 613 commandments.

It is also true, that you never want to come between a Jewish man and his Mother. His mother and his wife may lock horns, but she is wise if she doesn't ask a man to speak against his Mother. Our oldest son, has a girlfriend, a lovely young woman. She is encouraging our son to grow his hair a tad longer and allow the curls to show. Last evening he phoned home. I asked is he had had his haircut, since I last saw him. He replied, "No, Mary likes the curls, so I thought I might let it grow." To which I replied, "Kid, who was the first woman you ever loved?" "You Mom." He said. "That's right." I answered, "I, am the first woman you ever loved. So, when your all growed up (he's only 21, so say age 14 more years or so) and you marry, then your wife can call the shots, but until then..." He agreed to get his haircut.

Jesus was a Jewish man, and Cyndi, your right...if a Jewish Mother asked her son for help, he'd give it. Jewish Mothers.......we get a bad rap.......but our sons adore us. :-)

[Cyndi]

Linda,
Can we also assume that Jesus was also pretty well fed there in Nazareth by his Jewish mother?!

Loved this perspective....helps us understand the Holy Family from their tradition, and not the Anglo lens we tend to see them from!

Can't believe you listen to this Goy podcast, but I'm glad you do!

[Miz Booshay]

I just loved this podcast!

Tell us more about Mary and how she fits into your lives.

What is your favorite book about Mary?

[Miz Booshay]

p.s. Favorite book...besides the Bible of course.

But someone perhaps that looks at her role and like you mentioned her link from Genesis to Rev.

[Cyndi]

Miz Booshay,
Thank you for your sweet note on the Mary podcast. As a convert, Mary was a real sticking point for me because I misunderstood her role for the first years of my Catholic life. Now that I understand that she just want us to know her Son (as any mother would!), she has become the sweetest, gentlest little intercessor for me. I started saying the rosary periodically, and over time, Mary has sort of seeped into my soul. I love her now! She is truly my secret weapon as I muddle through raising my children. The rosary, too, is the most calming prayer for my children. Whenever we are out of sorts, or in a crisis, we turn to her when we are too distracted to pray for ourselves. I remember being on an airplane when lightning hit the plane, and the kids and I started audibly saying the rosary......what a comfort! And we lived to tell about it!

Deacon Tim will get back with you on a book recommendation, but I bet he is without power due to a ice storm in Tulsa.

Peace be with you,
Cyndi

[Linda]

Cyndi- Of course you love Mary...Jewish Mothers are hard to resist! Interesting the words you use to describe her....sweet, gentle.........I would think her more like Esther, Leah, Zipporah, Veronica ....solid,loving, strong, committed, unwavering in her belief. Truly doesn't the example of the airplane back that up... Forget your life...I believe if your children's lives are in danger at 30,000 feet...you don't want some whimpy mousey little thing.... You'd want a woman of substance getting your back. The kind of woman who inspires confidence...the sort of woman, who when she comes to her son, or asks another to take a request to her son, he sits up and listens. Think about the wedding scene.... if you had 300 odd guests at your child's wedding.... would is most likely to come to your aid, the quiet, gentle miss, or the take charge matron? Besides...Mary is Jewish....need I say more? Solid, dependable, unflapable stuff.

Why I listen to your podcast....When do the Baptists and Evangelicals? Even if I disagree with your conclusions....you provide an interesting journey of thought.

[Cyndi]

Speaking of journey of thought...really I think you are shedding new light on the person of Mary for us Christians. I'm sure you've seen images of her - the gentlest little soul you could ever imagine. I now see the side of her made her capable of watching at the foot of the cross when her son was crucified. You're right...she had some chutzpah, I bet. (Did my broken Yiddish break down here?!)

[Linda K.]

OY VEY GEVALT! I don't think Chutzpah is quite the word your looking for. The definition of Chutzpah is unbelieveable nerve.......the prisoner on trial for killing his parents, who throws himself on the mercy of the court for he is an orphan, has chutzpah.

A Mother would have to be a shtark (brave, strong)to watch her child die.

Shtark, shtarker

[Tom Cubbage]

As a graduate of Our Lady's University, Notre Dame du Lac, I was happy to hear this podcast. Mary is the true model of what it is like for a human being to live a life in love with God and ready to answer his call and life according to His will.

The line in 1 Timothy 2:5 that there is "one mediator" between God and Man, seems to suggest to some that Man also has but one advocate; but those who recognize that this is a false conclusion, know why Mary is Mankind's most perfect human advocate.

As you rightly note, many non Roman Catholics are discovering this and seeing that Mary is the compassionate heart of the body of Christ who ever prays for us sinners.

I liked hearing your point that in the time of Jesus, the most important woman in every man's household was his mother and not his wife.

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[Cyndi]

Uh oh....my Wikipedia Yiddish failed me...it indicated that it could be positive in some circumstances. Sorry, Blessed Mother!

[Linda]

Cyndi- It can be a positive thing in certain circumstances...but, it always contains an element of arrogance. Let me give you an example. Our middle daughter is a very confident young woman. Her best friends Father is a senior vice-president of a major software company. At the beginning of third grade, he told the girls that the next sleep-over would be at his home. The girls waited and asked and waited...and it wasn't happening. So, one morning our daughter took matters into her own hands. She found his cellphone number in my address book and sent an e-mail to his phone, wanting to know exactly when that sleepover was going to take place. He texted her back immediately saying, I'm in a meeting, but I'll set something up soon. Our daughter fired off another note, "Can you define soon, and what is more important than you daughter and her friendship?" He left the meeting and called our daughter and set up the sleepover. Which I might add, was a great success. While I didn't know this was happening until after the messages had been sent, and while our daughter certainly had an "appropriate behavior" talking to.......I had to admire her Chutzpah.

I've seen those images of Mary...hmmmm...her son was more than likely a short, dark haired, brown eyed middle eastern looking Jew....soooooooooo, do you suppose the images of Mary more accurately reflect the way she really looked, than the paintings commonly found of her son? Here is what I think.....I think Mary was probably a lot like Mother Theresa, someone everyone can admire regardless of religious difference. A quiet young Jewish woman, with steel in her spine.

[Deacon Tim]

For those who have asked for a suggested reading about Mary, I would recommend The Mother of the Redeemer, by Pope John Paul II. It is available by calling 1-800-235-8722 (in the U.S.) and 301-209-9020 (in the D.C. area or from outside the U.S.) It can also be accessed at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031987_redemptoris-mater_en.html

[Deacon Tim]

For those who have asked for a suggested reading about Mary, I would recommend The Mother of the Redeemer, by Pope John Paul II. It is available by calling 1-800-235-8722 (in the U.S.) and 301-209-9020 (in the D.C. area or from outside the U.S.) It can also be accessed at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031987_redemptoris-mater_en.html

[Steve K]

A book I would recommend about Mary: Hail, Holy Queen by Scott Hahn.

Love the podcast! This week I've been meditating on Mary and her response to the angel Gabriel as written in Luke 1:38 "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."

Steve K
Tulsa, OK

[Meg P]

Just right.

[CanadianKristin]

I enjoyed many of the points you made! I am a Protestant who was happy to hear some detail on the Catholic importance of Mary....in this lay woman's opinion, I agree with your point that in the rush to be "not Catholic" Protestants may be missing out on some great Biblical truths! Thanks for sharing!

[Felicia]

Thank you Cyndi and Deacon Tim for another beautiful podcast.