Affirmed Mother

Today’s Gospel Text:  In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." 46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever." 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. Luke 1:39-56

Reflection: The argument presented is this: How can Mary be called the mother of God? Does God have a mother or can God have a mother?

The Catholics have always addressed Mary as the Mother of God and even celebrate with great solemnity the feast of Mary as mother of God. (1st January) 

Then does God really have a mother?

Plainly speaking God does not have a mother nor does Jesus the eternal word of God was ‘begotten not made’ (Apostles Creed) but eternally existed with the Father and the Holy Spirit in their triune nature as one God.

But when God chose to become incarnate among us as a man, for our salvation, he chose the womb of an ordinary simple creature; Mary the woman of Nazareth.

Jesus the God made man, having the divine and human nature in himself, was born of the Virgin Mary.

Rationally seen and interpreted; this action of God, with whom nothing is impossible, can remain an insipid theological truth if not looked at as the great love action of God. (Cfr. Jn. 3:16)

This truth is not just proclaimed in the great tradition of the church but is also found in scripture when Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit exclaims: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”  (Vs. 42) and in the same breath she further exclaims:

“And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (vs. 43)

Surely, this can’t be flesh and blood who revealed this to her but her Father in heaven who through the action of the Holy Spirit who revealed this to her.

For further affirmation we have the angel affirming the same twice before:      

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; Luke 1:32a

Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:35d,e

Prayer: God our Father, increase our faith in the motherhood of Mary and the special place she enjoys in our salvation, through her assumption.  

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