To understand our Holy Mother completely we have to understand some background information, all of which can be found in Scripture. First, that Jesus, whom Mary was chosen to bear, is the Word of God made flesh. This means that Mary carried the living Word inside her, in an even more special and blessed way than the Ark of the Covenant carried the word of God in the Old Testament. Just as God commanded that the Ark which would carry His word, and be the most sacred object to His people, it is common sense that He would also prepare the perfect vessel for His living Word, making her immaculate from conception. Furthermore, Scripture says that the bearers of the Ark were to be sanctified, so then, how much more should the Mother of God made flesh be venerated and sanctified?
Also in the Old Testament, we can see during the pinnacle of success for Israel, which was the reign of King Solomon (who was also called 'the Son of God'), how important the place of the Queen Mother was. Solomon's mother had a throne beside his own, and when someone had a vital request to make of the king, they went first through the Queen Mother, who interceded for them and who the king would never refuse. This same scenario occurs in the New Testament when the very first miracle which Jesus performs, turning the water into wine, is done at the request of His Mother Mary, Queen Mother to Christ the King. Jesus said that it was not time for His ministry to begin, but nevertheless He would not refuse a request made by His mother. Mary then gave the best advice anyone could ever hear, whatever Jesus tells you to do; do!
The prayers and intercession of the Blessed Virgin is something everyone should avail themselves of. Scripture tells us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful, and who could be more righteous than the immaculate virgin, chosen and prepared to be the Mother of the Word made flesh? No one who has ever sought the protection of the Virgin Mary has been turned away. From Mexico to Vietnam she has appeared to give hope and advice, and the prophecies have always come to pass.
For Catholics, devotion to Mother Mary seems so natural that we are often at a loss to explain it to our Protestant brothers and sisters who have had it stressed to them that Mary is not so important or powerful. Furthermore, since Protestants focus only on the Bible and ignore Christian traditions, Catholics are further at a disadvantage in trying to explain why the Blessed Mother is the greatest inspiration and role model we could have. In trying to
My sister had recently had her first child, a beautiful baby girl. Naturally, everyone falls in love with her at first sight, and uncle here was certainly no exception. Now, as I said to my sister, everyone agrees that the whole point of Christianity is to love Christ, Jesus Himself said the greatest thing to do was to love God above all else. The heart of our religion, no matter what divisions exist, is to always love Christ. I then asked my sister, 'could anyone on this earth possibly love your baby more than you?' Absolutely not she said, of course not, mother and child have a special bond that is not matched in any other human relationship. Children are closer to their mothers than anyone and they love their child more than anyone on earth, it is absolutely inherent. So then, who in the whole world could possibly love Christ more than His own mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary? Since loving Christ is the point, and no one could have such perfect love for Him than His mother, surely she is the greatest inspiration for all of us to do the same.
