Hail Mary

Scripture/Bible:  In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" 35 And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible." 38 And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38

Reflection:  Mary is always a topic of ridicule in some circles and the Catholics are often ridiculed and accused of worshiping Mary.  In some religions their book even accuses Christians as worshipping three Gods’ with Mary’s name being referred to as the third person besides the Father and the Son.

The Catholics do not worship Mary nor consider her a goddess to be adored. Its doctrine claims that Mary was a creature like any of us, except for her state of being sinless from conception.  This may sound scandalous to many denominational groups and sects but it is nevertheless the firm belief of the Catholic Church.

Scripture gives us an indication into this truth of Mary and along with the rich tradition passed on from the Apostles we can safely assume what we as Catholics believe about her. 

Who in Biblical history was ever proclaimed the word, that too by an angel, as being ‘highly favored’, except Mary? Some scholars who have dwelt into the original Greek interpret and read it as Mary being graced before and continues to be filled with grace now.  If this is true then this verse itself indicates here Immaculate  conception and her present status:  “..henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” Luke 1:48

The reaction of Mary, who carried great divine wisdom in her simplicity and humility, seems to reveal this aspect of her being almost equated with the divine; “she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.”  Only a self-conceited fool would be pleased to be equated to the divine but Mary was troubled in spirit at the very first instance and then like a true obedient child accepts the favor.

God’s magnanimity chooses to lift his creatures up to his level of divinity. (Jn. 1:12; 10: 34; Ps. 82:6) And in this Mary holds a special place.

This in no way means that Mary is God but rather she is the first and special one among God’s creation to be lifted to the level of divinity; divinized and yet not divine! (Jn. 1:12; 10: 34; Ps. 82:6)

The Church by honoring her is only honoring God’s choice proclaimed through the angel. 

Those who reject God’s good, perfect and pleasing will for the salvation of mankind reject God.

If she is full of grace then she can be instrument of grace to others, just as any ordinary follower of Christ Jesus can be an instrument of God’s grace in the measure in which they carry.

In the feast of the Annunciation the Church recognizes Mary’ special role in the economy of human salvation and history has proved it too. Those who care to know, it reveals too, the role of Mary in our salvation.

Prayer:  Hail Mary, full of grace, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us


For further reading: 2 part article on: http://www.frconradsaldanha.blogspot.in/2011/06/discovering-mary-part-i.html ---Part I
http://www.frconradsaldanha.blogspot.in/2011/07/creator-vs-creature-part-ii.html -- Part II