Editorial: Mary for our time

Sydney
6 January 2002

Pope John Paul II prays that peace will triumph over evil

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Pilgrims return to the skies

Catholic students, schools among best in HSC results

Minister praises St Mel’s for anti-racism project

Pax Christi peace vigil extends

Brothers celebrate 200 years of religious life

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Vietnamese fast for freedom

Liturgy and ministry programs official

Editorial: Mary for our time

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Mary, the perfect Christian

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Editorial: Mary for our time

Mary, far from being a timidly submissive woman … stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord as a woman of strength, who experienced poverty and suffering and undertook flight and exile … The Blessed Virgin does not disillusion any of the profound expectations of our time, but offers the perfect model of the Lord’s disciple: she builds up the temporal and earthly city while being a diligent pilgrim towards the heavenly and eternal city; works for justice, sets free the oppressed, assists the needy; above all, builds up Christ in people’s hearts. - Marialis Cultus - Pope Paul VI

On New Year’s Day, last Tuesday, our liturgy changed the focus of the Christmas scene from the baby Jesus to his young mother, Mary, as we celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The name seems to state the obvious when we think of the Christmas stable, but it recalls the fierce debates of the time of the Council of Ephesus: whether Jesus was man or God. Ephesus decided that Jesus was true man and true God and enshrined this belief in the title Mary, Mother of God. This definition was crucial in the year 431. We need it now as a signpost of our faith and gladly give our assent. But other aspects of Mary are important in 2002.

Ours is an age of widespread alienation. We yearn for the experience of community, family, togetherness. The Second Vatican Council responded to these yearnings with its notions of Church as the Family of God, People of God, Kingdom of God, Mystical Body of Christ.

Mary was not lacking in a sense of community. Her choice of virginity was no denigration of marriage, but a total dedication to God’s love. She responded courageously to Gabriel with a decisive acceptance of God’s will, and all this involved - and it must have looked pretty dangerous - since her condition could have led to her being stoned to death. Thank God Joseph was a just man in the generous Biblical sense!

Mary had plenty of get-up-and-go. She heard of Elizabeth’s pregnancy and set off straightway. She and Joseph journeyed to Bethlehem, searched for lodgings, roughed it in a stable. Later came the journey into Egypt, its adaptations in food, language and place - and their eventual return. With Joseph, she saw Jesus through his teenage problems like getting lost and found in Jerusalem; she took the initiative at the wedding feast at Cana; stood by the cross at Calvary; and was in the upstairs room in Jerusalem when the Spirit descended.

A valiant woman! A woman for our time, and for all times!