Luke 1:26-27
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
The Virgin who gave birth to Jesus had a name and face. Although she is iconic, she was not an icon. Although she sums up all motherhood in herself, she was not just a nameless Jungian archetype. Although, at the broadest level, all paganism, with its Earth Mother and Sky Father, can be said to have anticipated her, she was no faceless, nameless Earth Mother. She was a young Jewish girl, born of the last people on earth to think of pagan Earth Mothers and Sky Fathers. And she believed, not in some vague pantheism, but in the God of Israel. Above all, she had a name: Mary. And she lived, as her Son would live, in the ordinary life of occupied Judea under the reign of a Roman emperor and a bureaucracy which has left paperwork and statuary to clutter up the modern world. She was, in a word, real and human, not a myth. From her, the Word took on flesh and refused to stay up in heaven. In some sense, his face was shaped by hers.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OUR READERS
Catholic Exchange is free—but it is not free to produce. Advertising revenue covers only a fraction of the cost to generate reliably Catholic commentary and news, inspiring videos, a selection of the best Catholic blogs, and daily meditations and prayers.
To give us the strength and stability we need, Catholic Exchange is turning to you—our loyal reader—and asking you to become a monthly contributor.
Whether you can give $5 or $25, $50 or $100 each month, please leave something behind so we can continue—and strengthen—this important apostolate.
We are deeply grateful for one-time gifts, but we encourage you to choose “Monthly” on the drop-down menu. Your support will ensure that Catholic Exchange will be here during this most critical moment for the Church and America.
