New Eve
Establish thy word to thy servant, in thy fear.
Psalm 119, 38
And Mary said:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
be it done to me according to thy word.
And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1, 38
In Catholic theology, the Divine plan of salvation involved the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who would redeem the world from sin and death. Central to this plan was the role of the Virgin Mary, who was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. However, it was essential that Mary’s free will be respected and that she be given the freedom to decide whether or not she wanted to fulfill this role. In this context, it is believed that God desired Mary to say “Yes” to the angel Gabriel’s announcement that she would conceive and bear a son called the Son of God. This was not a foregone conclusion, as Mary could have refused or hesitated. Yet, she needed to consent freely and willingly, as this would demonstrate her love and obedience to God and would be in keeping with His divine nature. Thus, Mary’s freedom of choice was a crucial aspect of the Divine plan of salvation. Only when she agreed to become the mother of Jesus did God become incarnate as the Divine Word and fulfill His mission to save humanity. Mary’s obedience and faith are considered a model for all Christians, who are called to follow in her footsteps by responding to God’s call with love and trust.
Catholic theology makes a clear distinction between God’s desires and decrees. God’s antecedent will refers to what God desires, and His consequent will refers to what God decrees. The Bible teaches that God desires everyone to be saved, as evidenced by verses such as Ezekiel 18:23, 1 Timothy 2:4, and 1 John 2:2. However, God also decrees that those who die in unrepentant sin will be cast into the everlasting fire of Hell, as seen in Matthew 25:41 and Luke 13:3. The story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, provides an example of the distinction between God’s antecedent and consequent will. God desired that Mary say yes to His will before He became a man, but this was not a decree. Rather, it was an invitation that Mary was free to accept or reject. What God wanted (antecedent will) would not have been fulfilled if Mary had said No to His messenger. However, God’s decree (consequent will) was that Mary should have the freedom to choose to be the mother of His Only-begotten Son, and this would have been fulfilled regardless of her response.
The Biblical narrative reveals an important aspect of the relationship between God and humankind. It highlights the concept of free will and how it allows us to choose whether to accept or reject God’s will. If it were the case that God had already determined that all humans would say Yes to Him with no conditions or qualifications, then it would mean that no soul would be lost. However, it would also mean that we would not be free to love God and accept His will above all else. If we choose to reject God, we bring upon ourselves the negative consequences of being alienated and separated from Him. This separation is not a punishment that God imposes on us; it is a natural outcome of our decision to reject Him (Deut 30:19). It is important to note that God has willed us with the necessity that we have the freedom to say Yes or No to His will. He desires that we truly love Him and choose to make our home with Him. John 14:23 emphasizes that our love for God is the foundation of our relationship. Therefore, it is our responsibility to choose to love and obey Him, and in doing so, we will be able to find our way back to Him.
God desires us to follow His will out of our free will rather than being forced to do so. If we were forced to obey God, our love for Him and obedience would be insincere. Therefore, God gives us the liberty to choose whether to say Yes or No to His will. Similarly, when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, God did not force her to say Yes. He wanted Mary to use her free will to choose Him over her natural desires. This was a necessary aspect of God’s plan, as Mary’s decision to say Yes had consequences for her and humanity. Mary’s Yes led to the birth of Jesus Christ, who would go on to save humanity. Hence, the text emphasizes the importance of free will in our relationship with God. It also highlights Mary’s decision to say Yes as an example of the power of free will and its impact on the course of history.
When God created Mary’s soul, He knew that she would freely choose to participate in His plan to become incarnate. This is known as the doctrine of Scientia media, which means that God knew with certainty what Mary’s response would be without looking into the future. It’s like knowing the entire story of a book just by looking at its cover. Although Mary had the free will to say no, God infallibly knew what her free decision would be; He knew she would say yes to Him. This is not to say that Mary did not have a choice in the matter, but rather that her choice was predestined in a sense. Therefore, God did not depend on Mary’s agreement to become incarnate but desired her free and willing participation. Mary’s consent was crucial to God’s plan, and her “fiat” (meaning “let it be done”) is seen as a model of faith and obedience for all Christians.
In His infinite wisdom and foreknowledge, God knew Mary would say yes to His proposal. However, it is important to note that God did not force or coerce her into doing so. As an all-knowing and all-powerful being, God is not constrained by anything outside Himself. He knows everything that exists or will exist and thus was certain that Mary would willingly consent to His plan. Although God is not constrained, He obligates Himself to act righteously according to His moral attributes. God decreed that the angel Gabriel would visit Mary and seek her free consent to achieve His desired outcome of saving all people. This was not because God needed Mary’s permission. But Mary’s free and willing consent was of utmost importance to God because He wanted to include her in His plan and allow her to participate in His divine work (1 Cor 3:9). Her faith and obedience were exemplary, and she willingly accepted the role that God had given her. Elizabeth, Mary’s kinswoman, praised her for her faith, acknowledging her merit as Our Blessed Lady (Lk 1:45).
The Annunciation narrative reveals God’s relationship with humanity and the nature of salvation. Luke emphasizes that God did not force Mary to say “Yes” when He asked her to become the mother of Jesus. He affirms that if God had known Mary would say “No,” He would not have coerced her into agreeing. The evangelist believes it would not be admirable or glorious for God to impose His will on anyone created in His image. Salvation is not automatic but conditional, meaning we must reciprocate God’s love by obeying Him, just like Jesus did. The author contends that our salvation is contingent on our obedience to God’s laws written in our hearts. Luke would indeed disagree with anyone who believed that God planned for Adam to sin so that Jesus could save the Elect from eternal damnation. He understands that our salvation is conditional and that we must choose to love God and obey Him if we hope to be saved and make our eternal dwelling with Him.
Our relationship with God is covenantal and has its roots in the beginning of time when God created Adam. However, Adam sinned by his own free will, which resulted in the concept of original sin and the need for a redeemer and savior. Only through the cooperation of our souls with His saving grace and the gifts of the Holy Spirit can we proclaim God’s glory. In fact, Mary’s Magnificat, which is a hymn of praise to God, highlights this very idea. She declares that her soul glorifies the Lord and rejoices in God, her savior (Lk 1:46-49). We would have no cause to rejoice without her consent since she acted on our behalf.
It is important to note that our righteousness must be our own, but it must be in collaboration with the Holy Spirit. In other words, we cannot achieve righteousness alone but must work with the Holy Spirit to attain it. As Jesus says in Matthew 5:20, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Therefore, our souls must possess a supernatural quality from collaborating with God’s saving grace and the Holy Spirit’s gifts.
At the Annunciation, Mary showed us the way to God by helping us make our faith journey possible. By giving her free consent to be the mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, he came into the world to save us from our sins and set an example of what we must do to be saved. This is by his own spiritual disposition, as stated in 1 John 1:7 and 3:3. Our possession of free will is essential to possess the supernatural virtues that sanctify and justify our souls before God and unite us to Him. Without it, this would not be possible.
The fact that the Son of man had to suffer for our transgressions and die as an expiation for our sins was not just an option for God. Jesus himself acknowledged this by saying, “Was it not necessary for the Messiah to endure these things and to enter into his glory?” (Lk 24:26). It was also necessary for our Lord to be “made of a woman” who had the freedom to accept or reject the will of God, just as Eve had, to fulfill all righteousness (Gal 4:4). God did not rely on Mary’s response to the angel, but the Incarnation did. Similarly, God did not depend on Eve to cast herself and her husband out of Eden. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and thus banished themselves from paradise. They were not predetermined to sin, or they would be morally blameless. Only the obedience of Jesus (New Adam) and Mary (New Eve) in their filial love for the Father and their complete willingness to propitiate His justice could undo their disobedience.
The text alludes to God’s love and mercy for humanity and how He decided to reconcile the world to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son. It is interesting to note that God didn’t have to become a human to expiate sin, but in His infinite love for mankind, He willed to do so. For this to happen, however, a woman had to humbly and lovingly accept Him into the world. This woman was Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus. Mary’s consent was essential because the Father wanted her moral participation and decreed it enough. Just as necessary was the sacrifice Jesus made of himself in the person of the Son because it was His way of saying Yes to the Father in His humanity. Jesus’s sacrifice expressed His love and obedience to the Father. He humbly and willingly gave up His life to atone for the sins of mankind. God would have it no other way, or the angel Gabriel wouldn’t have appeared to the Virgin Mary. Mary’s role in the salvation of humanity cannot be overstated. She said Yes to God’s plan and bore the Son of God. Through her, God’s plan for the redemption of mankind was realized, and the world was reconciled to Him.
Thus, God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus Christ. God desired that Mary accept His will and decreed that she could not say No if she hoped to be saved with the rest of humanity. Mary accepted God’s plan before her Divine Son accepted the Father’s will. Together, they brought the Lamb of God into the world, and through His acceptance, humanity was redeemed. Mary played a significant role in the salvation of humanity. She followed God’s will, knowing it would be difficult and involve great sacrifices. But Mary’s faith in God was unwavering, and she trusted He would guide her every step. For this reason, the Holy Spirit overshadowed her, and she conceived and bore God’s holy Son (Lk 1:35). Mary’s Yes to God was a profound act of faith and obedience. She desired nothing but what God desired, and her willingness to surrender to His plan inspires believers worldwide. Mary’s example teaches us that we, too, can trust in God’s plan for our lives, even when it may be difficult or uncertain.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a woman of great faith who sought to fulfill God’s will above all else. Her desire was not driven by the prospect of receiving any reward for her obedient faith but rather by her deep love for God and her concern for the world. She believed that the sins of humanity needed to be redeemed through God’s infinite love and goodness and that it was her duty to play a part in this redemption. Mary’s compassion towards fallen humanity was evident in her willingness to become the mother of the Savior. She accepted this was God’s plan with humility and grace. Mary’s act of faith was not just personal but would profoundly impact the world. She knew that her obedience would redound to God’s glory and that this mattered most. Mary’s faith in God’s justice and love was unwavering, and she believed that it was through her act of faith that God could be appeased for the world’s sins. She saw herself as a handmaid of the Lord, and as such, she was the ideal model of what it means to have the saving theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Mary’s example serves as a reminder that these virtues are necessary for salvation; without them, no person can ever hope to be saved.
Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, who departed from her presence as quickly as he had arrived. His visit was to deliver a message to Mary from God. In response to the angel’s message, Mary humbly decided to align her will with God’s will so that the message given by the angel would be fulfilled. The original Greek text is transliterated as “genoito moi kata to rhēma.” In Aramaic, Mary’s response to the angel was, “Be it to me what you have said.” This phrase meant that Mary joyfully accepted God’s will for her life and the role she was being called to play in God’s plan. Mary said, “May it be for me by God’s will.” Mary’s response was an act of faith working through love (Gal 5:5-6). She trusted in God’s plan for her life, even though it might not have been what she had envisioned for herself. Mary’s acceptance of God’s will is a powerful example of how we can align our wills with God’s will and trust in His plan for our lives.
The expression genoito (γένοιτό) or “be it” indicates that our Blessed Lady did not merely act in passive submission like a slave who has no choice but to submit to her master’s command in dreadful fear. Instead, she responded freely and appreciatively in a spirit of great joy. This Greek word is a form of the verb ginomai (γίνομαι) or “to come into being.” God’s word found fulfillment, and the Incarnation happened because Mary found no true joy in this world except in God. The Divine Logos would not come into the world unless He were joyfully and lovingly received by the young maiden he chose to be His mother.
Mary’s faithful and devoted heart was joyful when she learned that God had chosen her to bring about His divine plan. She knew that God’s will would be fulfilled through her, and she willingly accepted this role with open arms. Mary’s deep love for the spirit of the Torah, along with her unwavering devotion to God’s justice and mercy, compelled her to embrace this responsibility. Throughout her life, Mary remained steadfast in her pursuit of the Lord. She understood that every action she took should be done by His will and that pleasing Him was her ultimate goal. Her desire to serve God was pure and selfless. When the Angel Gabriel appeared before Mary to announce that she would give birth to Jesus, her humility and poverty of spirit allowed her to accept this incredible news without seeking personal glory. She recognized that only God Himself could lift her up, and He did so by favoring His lowly handmaid (Lk 1:48). Mary’s unwavering faith and devotion to God make her a shining example of what it means to live a life centered on pleasing the Lord.
The Annunciation was an event that took place because of Mary’s deep love and devotion to God and her poverty of spirit. Mary’s humility made her the ideal candidate for God’s plan of redemption, which required a reversal of the disobedience that had resulted from Eve’s pride and vanity. God chose Mary, His chosen handmaid, to undo Eve’s disobedience reciprocally by being radically opposed. This was the only path for God’s plan of redemption, which was based on His goodness and love. Through Mary’s faith and love, the Son was able to undo the sin of Adam and conquer the serpent once and for all. Mary was called to be more than just a physically nurturing mother of the new Adam (Gen 2:18; Lk 11:27-28); she was a faithful helpmate, helping restore the broken relationship between God and humanity. Mary’s role in the plan of redemption was essential, as she was chosen to bear the Son of God and become the mother of the new Adam. Her faith and love allowed her to play this role with humility and grace, making her an example for all of us to follow. By obeying God’s call, Mary could help undo the consequences of Eve’s disobedience and restore humanity’s relationship with God.
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he presented her with a Divine proposition that would change the course of history. Mary was not commanded to be the mother of our Lord, but rather, the angel revealed to her God’s magnificent plan, giving her the freedom to choose whether to accept or reject it. The angel spoke of the conception and birth of a son, whom Mary was to name Jesus, as certain future events. However, this did not imply that Mary had no choice but to comply. God’s foreknowledge does not determine our actions, but rather, God knew from all eternity that Mary, His faithful handmaid, would find no joy in this world except in life with Him. As a result, our Blessed Lady willingly said Yes to His will without hesitation, demonstrating her unwavering devotion to God. Despite the challenges and difficulties it would present, Mary’s willingness to accept the role of being the mother of Jesus is a true testament to her faith and courage. Her “Yes” to God’s will allowed the salvation of humanity to come to fruition, and her unwavering devotion continues to inspire countless individuals worldwide.
According to Catholic belief, God knew that Mary, the mother of Jesus, would never refuse His will due to the effective influence of His actual graces and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is because God created each of us in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand for us to walk in them (Eph 2:10). Mary, being the chosen one, was no exception. It is believed that Apostle Paul may have had Mary in mind when he wrote about being God’s workmanship and being created in Christ Jesus for good works.
The reason why the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary was because He was already dwelling in her soul. The divine purpose of the angel’s appearance to her was because she was a pure and chaste temple of God, the worthiest of all young maidens to be the mother of the Lord (1 Cor 3:16). Mary, in her incredible humility and through the Spirit’s gift of wisdom, accepted in faith that she was God’s creative handiwork. She understood that, as such, she was not “her own” but belonged primarily to God, her Creator Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). It was through Mary’s soul that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). Her soul “magnified the Lord” (Lk 1:46), for she was the temple of the living God. There were no worldly idols in her soul that could defile her. Mary was chosen to be the mother of God because she was a true servant of Israel in the spirit, God’s chosen daughter who had no affinity with sinful humanity (2 Cor 6:16). Her soul was untouched by sin and was a pure vessel for God’s plan of salvation for all humanity.
God had put His Spirit in Mary when He fashioned and sanctified her soul at the first instant of her conception. This means that God was present within Mary from the beginning of her life. He preserved her free from contracting the stain of original sin, which was a sin passed down from Adam and Eve to all of humanity. This was done so that Mary could be pure and holy and that His handmaid would always walk in His statutes and observe His ordinances without ever falling from His grace (Lk 1:28; Jude 24-25). It is important to note that God did not violate Mary’s liberty of the will, but rather, He was exceptionally persuasive. God influenced her to never want to say No to Him by the efficacy of His actual graces and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This, in turn, enabled her to refrain from committing any personal sins in either thought, word, or deed. The Holy Spirit gave her the strength and wisdom to make the right choices and avoid sin.
Our Blessed Lady’s life was of great significance, as she was entrusted with the treasures of the Holy Spirit throughout her entire existence. Mary was cautious in guarding these treasures, as is evident from the fact that God sent His messenger to her with His proposal (Lk 1:30). Being the mother of God, she was expected to never fall from grace and always find favor with Him, which she did by being preserved free from every stain of sin. Mary had no reason to fear Divine justice because of her exceptional purity.
The Annunciation happened because Mary lived a life that bore the fruit of the Spirit. This includes love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and poverty of spirit. She lived not in the flesh but in the spirit, which made it possible for her to conceive Christ as His Spirit dwelled in her. Mary was able to be the mother of the Divine Messiah because she belonged to Him and was pledged to her Divine Son by the grace of God in her own mother’s womb. Mary received a singular anointing from her son, Jesus Christ, upon her Immaculate Conception. This allowed her to always abide in Him and be a mother worthiest of Him. Her unique anointing set her apart and made it possible for her to be the perfect vessel for Christ’s arrival on earth. Mary’s life is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit and His ability to work through those who are pure of heart and dedicated to His cause.
“You have knowledge of all things, and you know that I hate the
splendor of the wicked and abhor
the bed of the uncircumcised and of any alien.
You know my necessity—that I abhor the sign of
my proud position, which is upon
my head on days when I appear in public. I abhor it like a filthy
rag, and I do
not wear it on the days when I am at leisure. And your handmaid has not eaten
at
Haman’s table, and I have not honored the king’s feast or drunk the wine of
libations. Your
handmaid has had no joy since the day that I was brought here
until now, except in you, O Lord
God of Abraham. O God, whose might is over
all, hear the voice of the despairing, and save us
from the hands of evildoers.
And save me from my fear!”
Esther [C] 14, 14-19
The text alludes to the similarities between Queen Esther and the Virgin Mary, particularly their devotion to God and their love for humanity. Both women deeply trusted God’s mercy and compassion for those in need. Queen Esther, a Jewish heroine, prayed for her people during their captivity, while the Virgin Mary had great sorrowful compassion for all of humanity in exile. Mary’s “Fiat” refers to her declaration of submission to God’s will, which was offered to God with the same sweet sincerity as Esther’s prayer. Both women sought God’s intervention and salvation for their people, but Mary’s prayer was for the redemption of humanity through the coming of the promised Messiah. Mary understood God’s desire was to be merciful to humankind and offer sinful humanity its redemption. However, she also recognized that God’s justice needed to be manifested to defeat the enemies of humanity, namely suffering and death. For this reason, she longed for the coming of the Messiah, who would destroy death and bring everlasting life to all who believe in him.
When the Virgin Mary responded with the words, “Be it done to me,” she had a deep desire to save the world from the suffering caused by its sinful nature. She believed that only the power of God, through His Messiah, could deliver the world from the darkness and chaos that sin had brought upon it, if it was His divine will. Through the clarity and purity of her faith, Mary realized that her acceptance of God’s will would deal a fatal blow to the prince of darkness and his wicked followers, who had long terrorized the earth. This would permanently ruin the dominion of sin and evil on earth and cause those who followed the prince of darkness to fear divine justice. Mary knew that God’s wrath for sin would now be directed towards the author of sin, while His love and tender compassion would be shown to His people. Her “Yes” to God would be honored, as she was His beloved daughter and a woman after His heart. Mary’s acceptance of God’s will was a powerful act of faith and trust, which paved the way for the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of all humanity.
The situation presented to Mary was an exceptional one. She was approached with the request to bear a child who would inherit the throne of his father, David, and establish his heavenly kingdom on earth by deposing the dark ruler of this world, as described in Luke 1:31-33. This daunting task required her to face great risks and dangers. Despite this, Mary chose to be the mother of the divine Messiah, understanding the immense responsibility it would entail. Her decision was rewarded by God becoming incarnate, as her will was completely aligned with His. Mary’s soul was pure and uncorrupted, not influenced by pride or inordinate desires. Her soul “magnified the Lord,” and she remained unaffected by alluring idols or distractions. She did not partake in the banquets of earthly kings or drink wine offered to any idols. Instead, Mary found true joy in the God of Abraham alone. Mary’s story is a testament to the power of faith and the rewards it can bring when we put our trust in God.
Mary had deep faith in the Messiah, who she believed was her eternal King and Savior. She found great joy and comfort in Him (Lk 1:46-47), believing He would be her refuge and source of strength in a world filled with wickedness. She hoped the Messiah would satisfy the righteous who hungered for justice and send the wicked away empty-handed with their vain riches. Mary was filled with excitement and anticipation when she learned that she would bear the One who would rule the world with a rod of iron or justice (Rev 2:27; 19:15). She believed that from His throne, the Messiah would “scatter the proud in their conceit, cast down the mighty from their thrones, and lift up the lowly” (Lk 1:50-51). Mary’s faith in the Messiah was unshakable, and she believed that He would bring about a world where justice and righteousness would reign supreme.
Mary was considered to be blessed (eulogemene) above all women for being chosen to be the Mother of God (Luke 1:42). However, the text stresses that Mary’s worthiness to be the mother of Jesus was not just because of her status but because of her faith and obedience to God’s word. Mary’s willingness to help God accomplish His plan for humanity is what made her deserving of the honor of being the mother of Jesus (Lk 1:45). Jesus himself would affirm that his mother Mary was more or truly (menoun) blessed for her faith and impeccable obedience to God rather than for being a natural mother to him (Lk 11:27-28).
The Virgin Mary, handmaid of the Lord, heard and treasured God’s word in the depths of her immaculate heart. She was not motivated by fear of God’s wrath but by her love for God, which surpassed her love for any created thing. In fact, Mary’s love for God was so perfect that it drove out any fear of punishment, as stated in 1 John 4:18. Mary was predestined to be the Mother of God, as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and confirmed by the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:35. God’s grace went before her from the moment of her conception. She was kept pure in heart and body throughout her life. Mary’s election to the Divine Maternity made her exceptionally endowed with the power of divine grace, which kept her inviolate in body and soul. Mary’s purity and sinlessness were not due to her own merit but rather to the grace of God. She was infallibly made and kept pure because of God’s grace. Mary’s purity was necessary to be a fitting vessel for the Incarnation, and God’s grace enabled her to fulfill her role as the Mother of God. We can be confident that God kept Mary from falling and that she was presented before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy, as stated in Jude 1:24-25.
Throughout the Old Testament, from the time that God first promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, to the establishment of the covenant with His chosen people through Moses at Mount Sinai, to the reign of the Davidic kings, and up to the time of the prophets, all of these events were leading up to the day when the Holy Spirit would come and bring the light of life and fire from heaven. In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet envisioned the coming of the Paraclete, whom Christ would send as he had promised he would after his resurrection and ascension into heaven. Ezekiel prophesied that God would open the graves of His people and bring them up from the dead, causing them to come into the land of Israel. When this happens, they would know that the Lord is God and has fulfilled His promise to them. God promised to put His Spirit in His people, and they would live, and He would place them in their own land. This prophecy of Ezekiel was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, and they began to preach the Gospel in different languages. Peter, citing this prophecy, declared that it was being fulfilled in their hearing and that the promise of the Holy Spirit was for all who would believe in Christ.
Pentecost was a momentous day in the history of Christianity because it marked the fulfillment of the Scriptures and the conception of the Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The descent of the Holy Spirit occurred in the upper room where all the disciples, including the women, Mary (the mother of Jesus), and His brethren, were gathered together. They were all persevering with one mind in prayer as they waited for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Mary was central to this group of disciples because of her unique association with Jesus in the hypostatic order of Christ’s incarnation.
The Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and the disciples present there because He had already come upon Mary. This descent of the Holy Spirit marked the birth of the Church, which began with the unity of the disciples and their faith in Jesus Christ. As the living Word of God had been conceived in the womb of His most Blessed Mother because of her immaculate heart, the Word of God was also conceived by all the faithful in the upper room in the womb of their souls. The descent of the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples, giving them the courage and strength to spread the message of the Gospel to all corners of the world. It was the beginning of an era in which the Holy Spirit would work through the Church to bring salvation to all people.
The story of the Church began with the arrival of the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, handmaid of the Lord, in the month of Nisan. Gabriel brought Mary the good news of salvation, telling her she had found favor with God and would conceive the Divine Word in her womb. Mary had been filled with the Spirit of God from the moment of her conception, and this Spirit came into her heart and filled her with abundant grace. Mary physically conceived Jesus, the world’s savior, and the Apostles and disciples spiritually conceived him. It was through Mary’s pure and unblemished nature that the Church was born. Mary was the prototype; without her, there could be no Church. She was the personal spouse of the Holy Spirit who sanctified the Church by His presence and first sanctified Mary’s womb. Our Blessed Lady represents the nuptial union between Christ and his Church. It is through this union that we can experience salvation. Mary’s role in the story of the Church cannot be overstated, as she was the perfect vessel for Christ’s coming into the world. She represents the love and devotion that all Christians should have for Christ and for the Church.
The event of Pentecost is a significant event that took place in the hearts and souls of mankind and was already anticipated by Mary. She was the first member to have formed the mystical Body of Christ with her Son as the Head. The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, and they were filled with the grace and power of God, and this event marked the birth of the Church. Mary pronounced her “Fiat” because God’s love was poured into her heart by His sanctifying grace through the Spirit given to her. She received the Spirit of adoption as a daughter of God, which allowed her to cry joyfully “Abba Father,” expressing her deep intimacy with God.
The Incarnation is the mystery of God becoming human, and there could be no Pentecost without it, and there could be no Incarnation without the Virgin Mary. Mary’s “Fiat” was her loving consent, like her “I do” on her wedding day. When she said yes to the angel Gabriel, she was saying yes to God’s plan, and she became the mother of Jesus. Her marriage with the Divine Bridegroom in the Holy Spirit was consummated the moment she conceived Jesus in her womb. This allowed Him to be conceived in the womb of the virgin Church and be born into the world through the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments. These sacraments are signs of our new life with God and are essential to our spiritual journey. The Church continues to celebrate Pentecost every year, reminding us of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the importance of Mary’s role in salvation history.
The Church can be considered to have originated at the Annunciation, an event that marked the beginning of the Incarnation. It was within the hallowed space of Mary’s immaculate heart that her Divine Son was first conceived before taking physical form within her sacred womb. Mary, who was the Immaculate Mother, embodied the ideal of the “holy and unblemished bride” of her Son and was a living representation of the Church (Eph 5:27). The Holy Spirit overshadowed her and bestowed upon her an abundance of grace due to her unwavering trust and obedience to God, whom she loved and revered above all else. Mary’s heart was a symbol of redemption, a foreshadowing of the upper room where the redeemed would gather in anticipation of the promised Spirit, which would ignite their hearts with the law of Christ. Mary’s immaculate heart was a place of profound purity and devotion to God, and it was in this heart that the Church was born.
In the heart of Mary lies the initial manifestation of the mystery of the heart of the Church. Her joyous acceptance to become the mother of God incarnate and our Divine Bridegroom is a testament to her deep faith and devotion. Mary held onto God’s words and signs, pondering them in her heart, and even more fervently since the angel appeared to her (Lk 2:19, 51). The Holy Spirit descended in the upper room because Mary persevered in her faith until the end. Through her unwavering faith, conversions of the heart in living souls would happen from the day the Church was born (Acts 2:41). Mary truly is the Mother of the Church and our Mother by our marriage covenant with her divine Son (Jn 2:2-11). Her faithfulness and devotion have inspired countless generations and continue to do so, as she remains a symbol of hope, love, and faith.
Mary is a symbol of the Church established by her Son and serves as an ideal example for all who strive to be faithful believers. Her unwavering faith and boundless love for God enabled God’s only Son to become man through the power of the Holy Spirit. By giving her salutary consent, Mary allowed many sons and daughters to be born to God from the womb of the Church, all through the same Holy Spirit that had overshadowed her. Mary’s life fulfilled all the prophecies, and she serves as the sign of restoration that Isaiah had foretold. Mary’s soul was infused with divine life through the Holy Spirit, and this same Spirit will collaborate with her to bring about the change that will transform the world in the last age.
I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart.
Psalm 40, 8
The prophets, including Ezekiel, foretold a new era that God would bring about, known as the New Dispensation. This new era would supplant the Old Covenant and include the faithful remnant of Israel and the Gentiles who would join them in a new heavenly kingdom. This kingdom would be none other than the Church of the New Testament. Unlike the Old Covenant, the Christian ethic was not merely a set of rules and regulations. Rather, it was embodied by the Holy Spirit, essentially love. The Holy Spirit would be the guiding force that would inspire and motivate believers to live out their faith. As such, the Christian ethic is not a thing to be learned but a divine Person to be received. The Holy Spirit moved and motivated Mary, the first among God’s newly chosen people.
Mary was perceived as the prototype of the Church, representing the living members of Christ’s mystical body who have been baptized and adhere to the one true faith. Mary’s faithfulness and obedience to God’s will should inspire all Christians. Mary conceived the Word of God in her womb because she faithfully collaborated with the Holy Spirit. She lived just like God and emulated her Divine Son, Jesus Christ. Mary was favored by God because she opened her heart and soul to the Spirit given to her. She was chosen to be the mother of God incarnate because she lived by the spirit of the law – the natural law of love and freedom that God has inscribed in every human heart. By following this single commandment of love, Mary could abide in God, just like all her Son’s faithful disciples who fulfill their baptismal commitments by following the commandments of love. This is mentioned in the Bible (Mt 22:37-40; 1 Jn 4:16).
Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit and specially prepared to receive Jesus in her holy womb. God’s sanctifying grace regenerated her heart and made her a worthy vessel for His presence. There was perfect unity and harmony between Mary and the Holy Spirit, and she was a true daughter of God who held a covenant with her people. Unlike many Jews of her time, she did not solely rely on the religious instructions of her elders but instead had a unique relationship with God. God Himself was her spiritual counselor, and she listened to Him with spiritual perfection. Mary was blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit within her. This Spirit was her guide, instructing her to live free from sin. Mary’s heart was pure and untainted, and she lived in God’s love, always keeping the door to her heart open to Him. She was deeply receptive to everything she was taught, allowing the teachings to penetrate the depths of her heart and soul.
Mary’s humility was a key factor in her spiritual journey. She was like a child, dependent on her Father for all her spiritual needs. She pondered everything she was taught in humble silence and kept it in her heart, treasuring the wisdom revealed to her. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary because she allowed Him to lead her in doing what He desired. Mary’s way of life was truly free; she was personalized in the divine image as she had originally been created. Our Lady was a woman of great faith who lived in harmony with God’s will.
Mary’s story is a remarkable one. She was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Divine Word made flesh, and her complete submission to God’s will allowed her to bear the Son of God. Mary’s faith and love were genuine and pure, as confirmed by the Holy Spirit, and she was truly a daughter of God after His own heart. The Church was born when Mary declared her willingness to follow God’s plan, saying, “May it be done to me according to thy word.” This statement is a testament to Mary’s unwavering faith in God and willingness to trust in His plan for her life. Mary’s story is not just about her, however.
It is also about the Church, founded on the same faith and love Mary possessed. The Holy Spirit’s presence within Mary allowed her to conceive Christ in her womb, and this same Spirit is what draws us to the Father and gives us life as members of Christ’s mystical Body. In essence, the mystery of Mary is the same mystery of the Church. Mary’s submission to God’s will and her faith and love for Him are the foundations of the Church. Without Mary’s willingness to trust in God and the Holy Spirit’s presence within her, Christ would not have been born, and the world would not have been redeemed. Unless we emulate the faithfulness of our Blessed Mother, our redemption will not be applied.
Our Blessed Lady, the handmaid of the Lord, holds a special place in the hearts of all Christians. She was the first laborer who joyfully worked in her Son’s vineyard, dedicating her life to the salvation of souls in faith. Mary showed her love and devotion to God by accepting His will and consenting to become the mother of His Son. She followed Him throughout His life and even His death on the Cross at Calvary. Mary’s presence at the foot of the Cross was vital to the salvation of humanity. From her Son’s side, the blood of justification and the water of regeneration flowed, giving birth to the Church as one visible corporate entity united in faith. This would not have been possible without Mary’s faithful and unwavering presence at Calvary.
Mary’s strength and courage were truly remarkable, particularly during the time of her Son’s crucifixion. She stood beneath the Cross, united in her suffering with her Son’s anguish due to sin. Her unwavering faith and love for God enabled her to endure this great trial, and because of her, we have a model for how to live out our faith in times of great adversity. Without the Blessed Virgin Mary, no Disciple could have stood with her as a fellow pilgrim of faith, rejoicing in God’s salvation despite the great trials. Mary’s example shows us that we, too, can persevere through difficult times with faith and love and that through God’s grace, we can achieve salvation.
This man and that man is born in her,
and the Highest himself hath founded her?
Psalm 87, 5
“For as Eve was seduced by the word of an angel to flee from God, having rebelled against
“Holy and wise in all things was the all-blessed Virgin, peerless among all nations,
and unrivalled among women. Not as the first virgin Eva, who alone in the garden, was
in her weak mind led astray by the serpent; and so took his advice and brought death into
the world; and because of that hath been all the suffering of saints. But in her alone, in this
Holy Virgin Mary, the Stem of Life hath shot up for us. For she alone was spotless in soul
and body.”
St. Gregory Thaumaturgus
On the Holy Mother of God
(262 A.D.)
complete indication of the presence of God and of His coming, and that no one can, in
reality, secure this for himself, unless he has altogether estranged himself from the passions
of the flesh. What happened in the stainless Mary when the fullness of the Godhead which
was in Christ shone out through her, that happens in every soul that leads by rule the virgin
life.”
St. Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity, 2
(A.D. 371)
“And if the God-bearing flesh was not ordained to be assumed
of the lump of Adam, what need was there of the Holy Virgin?”
St. Basil, To the Sozopolitans, Epistle 261
(A.D. 377)
“The first thing which kindles ardour in learning is the greatness of the teacher. What is
greater than the Mother of God? What more glorious than she whom Glory Itself chose
What more chaste than she who bore a body without contact with another body? For why
should I speak of her other virtues? She was a virgin not only in body but also in mind, who
stained the sincerity of its disposition by no guile, who was humble in heart, grave in speech,
prudent in mind, sparing of words, studious in reading, resting her hope not on uncertain
riches, but on the prayer of the poor, intent on work, modest in discourse; wont to seek not
man but God as the judge of her thoughts, to injure no one, to have goodwill towards all, to
rise up before her elders, not to envy her equals, to avoid boastfulness, to follow reason, to
love virtue.”
St. Ambrose, On Virginity, 2:15
(A.D. 377)
roots.’ The rod is the mother of the Lord–simple, pure, unsullied; drawing no germ of life
from without but fruitful in singleness like God Himself…Set before you the blessed Mary,
whose surpassing purity made her meet to be the mother of the Lord.”
St. Jerome, To Eustochium, Epistle 22:19,38
(A.D. 384)
“Mary, the holy Virgin, is truly great before God and men.
For how we shall not proclaim her great, who held within her
the uncontainable One, whom neither heaven nor earth can contain?”
St. Epiphanius, Panarion, 30:31
(ante A.D. 403)
touches the subject of sins, out of honour to the Lord; for from Him we know what
abundance of grace for overcoming sin in every particular was conferred upon her who had
the merit to conceive and bear Him who undoubtedly had no sin.”
St. Augustine, Nature and Grace, 36:42
(A.D. 415)
“Hail, Mary, you are the most precious creature in the whole world;
hail, Mary, uncorrupt dove; hail, Mary, inextinguishable lamp;
for from you was born the Sun of justice…
through you, every faithful soul achieves salvation.”
St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily 11 at the Council of Ephesus
(A.D. 431)
