Born of a Woman
MOTHER OF GOD
But when the time had fully come, God
sent forth his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
Galatians 4, 4
Since apostolic times, Catholics have believed, and the Church has taught, that the Blessed Virgin Mary is truly the Mother of God, or, in ancient Greek, Theotokos, meaning “God-bearer.” This honorable designation means Mary is the mother
of the eternal Son of God made man by having conceived and given birth to the
Divine Logos in his sacred humanity (Jn 1:1,14). Surely, Mary did not create
the divine person of Jesus who existed with the Father for all eternity, but
she did provide all the genetic material that was needed to allow God to become
a man by the power of the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:35). He is the “seed” or offspring
of the woman whom God put in enmity with the serpent (Gen 3:15). Isaiah’s
prophecy was fulfilled at the Annunciation once Mary gave her joyful consent in
response to the good news that was brought to her by the angel Gabriel:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son whose name shall be
Emmanuel” (7:14). The Hebrew name means “God with us” (Mt 1:23).
Mary’s
cousin Elizabeth deferentially acknowledged the singular blessing conferred on
her kinswoman when she asked her, “Whence is this to me, that the mother of my
Lord (Κυρίου/Kyrios) should come to me?” (Lk 1:43). The divine title Adonai ( אֲדֹנָי, lit. “My Lords”) is the
plural form of the Hebrew word adon (“Lord”) along with the first-person
singular pronoun enclitic. As with Elohim, Adonai’s grammatical form is usually
explained as a plural of majesty. In the Hebrew Bible, it is used nearly 450
times to refer to God. The divine name YHWH was increasingly regarded as too
sacred to be uttered; it was thus replaced in synagogue ritual with the Hebrew
word Adonai (“My Lord”), which was translated as Kyrios (“Lord”) in the
Septuagint, the Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures. Hence, the Blessed
Virgin Mary is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is God Himself in His
divine person and as such the Hebrew God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
incarnate.
For in him dwelleth all the fullness
of the Godhead bodily.
Colossians 2, 9
The
phrase “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” from
Colossians 2:9 underscores the profound concept of the complete and unabridged
presence of divine nature residing in Jesus Christ. This theological assertion
asserts that Jesus embodies the entirety of God’s essence—His attributes,
authority, and holiness—within His human form. This understanding is crucial
for comprehending the dual nature of Christ, who is both fully divine and fully
human, a concept foundational to Christian belief.
Furthermore,
this doctrine underscores the profound significance of Mary’s role as the
mother of Jesus Christ. By giving birth to the Incarnate Word, Mary does not
merely witness the unfolding of divine mystery; she actively participates in
it, embodying the essential human response to God’s call. Her acceptance of the
angelic message— “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me
according to your word” (Luke 1:38)—demonstrates her unwavering faith and
willingness to cooperate with God’s plan of redemption.
In
the context of Mary’s divine maternity, this verse illuminates the profound and
unique relationship she shares with the divine. By bearing Jesus, who embodies
both full divinity and complete humanity, Mary becomesthe sacred vessel through
which the Godhead enters human history in a transformative way. Her role in the
Incarnation transcends mere biological function; it is a significant spiritual
and theological event central to Christian belief. This act of accepting God’s
call not only fulfills ancient prophecies but also signifies the union of
heaven and earth, revealing the depth of divine love and God’s accessibility to
humanity. Mary’s acceptance, characterized by her ‘fiat’—her willingness to
embrace God’s plan—highlights her pivotal position in salvation history. As the
Mother of God, she serves as a model of faith and obedience for all believers,
underscoring her role in the divine narrative.
Additionally,
Mary’s motherhood symbolizes a profound and sacred connection to God’s divine
essence. As the Theotokos, or “God-bearer,” she occupies a singular and pivotal
role within the Christian tradition, highlighting the intricate mystery of the
Incarnation—the moment when God became human in the person of Jesus Christ.
This concept emphasizes not only her unique status but also the extraordinary
nature of her relationship with the divine. The fullness of the Godhead
residing in her Son serves as a powerful testament to Jesus’s divine authority
and sovereignty, which Mary embodies in her life and actions. Her acceptance of
this role reflects deep faith and obedience, exemplifying humility and grace. Thus, Mary’s life serves as a living example of how
humanity can coexist with and reflect divine purposes, thereby enriching our
understanding of both motherhood and divinity within Christian theology.
