Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BIBLICAL IMAGERY

(Fr Michael Boakye Yeboah: Vice Rector of St Gregory Seminary, Kumasi-Ghana)

MARY OF NAZARETH

            Mary is more than a religious iconic figure. Though she occupies a central place in the Christian creed her place in the Islamic faith is also worthy of note but from the day of her birth till today, Mary continues to occupy more than a religious significance. Her influence though primarily religious, bears political and sociological effects. Before we dive into those religious, socio-political dimensions of her life, let us take a look at her birth.

            Almost all the patriarchs and important religious figures in the Bible’s births are covered with mystery. Before Isaac came to be, his mother Sarah had been barren for years; a similar account is given to the birth of Samuel, John the Baptist and others. Mary’s birth legend is also curved around that path. Her parents, Joachim and Anne had been without children for years before miraculously Anne became pregnant with child. Like the iconic biblical figures who preceded her, many prophesized her for greatness.

            At age 14, she received a heavenly visitation that carried political and religious connotations. The Archangel came with an offer from God making her the mother of God. She was accorded an accolade which may be an envy of the Queens of the earth. She was described as the blessed of all women and all generations will call her blessed. The Archangel needed a fiat from Mary to take to God. Though Mary was lost in all the drama of the day, she surrounded her whole life to the plan of God with this declaration: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.”

            Now, there was a political consequence with Mary’s fiat. With Mary accepting to bring forth the Messiah, the political establishment of the day became alert. What will happen to the kingship of Herod? Will Rome still control Palestine? What will become of the religio-political office of the High Priest? The political establishments were living on knife’s edge when they heard of the Archangel’s visitation to Mary, especially the covenant sealed between Mary and God. The question that was waddling on the lips of the populace was: “what will become of Mary’s child?” At age twelve, learned Rabbis could not stand his theological insightfulness.

            Mary may have been a quiet, unassuming village girl but most people who came into contact with her confessed her powerful presence. For example, we are told by some of the inspired writers that after Mary’s encounter with the Archangel, she visited her senior cousin Elizabeth and Elizabeth testified on the powerful presence of Mary. Elizabeth even said the baby in her womb felt the greetings of Mary when she entered their home. Mary does not only possess the power of presence but she also eternally holds the key to intercessions. Mary’s power of presence and intercession will be discussed in sociological, political and religious dimensions.

            Sociologically, though very religious to the core, she was not anti-social. She made sure that she attended social events that she was invited whether by a family relation or a friend. St. John tells us of one social event in John, Chapter 2. Mary did not grace a wedding reception with her presence but put a stamp on her power to intercede. The inspired writer makes it clear that Jesus’ time to perform miracles was not due but when his mother came asking he could not turn her down. My interest here lies in the fact that for some people they think that being saintly means being anti-social. Mary gives us the graphic example that, there is nothing wrong attending a party be it a wedding reception, birthday celebration or any merry making event that is laced with Christian ethics and manners. Mary was not only there at the social event but she made her power of intercession felt. Have you seen the need to invite the presence of Mary for all events?

            Politically, her fiat changed the political terrain of Palestine. Will Palestine be ruled by the Rome or the religious authorities or King Herod? For Herod made his intention clear at the birth of Mary’s child that the child should die. King Herod felt that Mary’s child was a big threat to kingly powers. Jesus as an adult, standing trial, was questioned by Pilate on kingship and his type of kingship. The established political offices were not at ease with Mary’s child at all. Even after Mary’s Assumption to heaven, she continues to play vital political roles. Her Apparition at Fatima was laced with political nuances. Mary told the three little children that praying the Rosary holds the key to political peace in the world. Mary is really the Queen of Peace and if the world needs peace we should seek her daily intercession.

            Lastly but not the least, Mary’s religious importance is without question. We all have the hope of redemption thanks to Mary’s fiat and her Son’s redemptive sacrifice. There is no power in the heaven and beneath it that does not honor or bow to the presence and intercession of Mary. Mary continues to be the perfect human being after the fall of Adam and Eve. She is the only person conceived without the effect of original sin. No wonder at Lourdes, when she was asked of her name; she referred to herself as the Immaculate Conception. May we continue to enjoy the presence of our Blessed Mother and rely on her continuous intercession.