ΘεοτόκοςΘεοτόκος(Theotokos)(Theotokos)

“God’s bearer”“God’s bearer”

Mr. Pablo CuadraReligion Class

Old Testament Prophecies about Old Testament Prophecies about MaryMary

““I will put enmities I will put enmities between you and between you and the woman, and the woman, and

your seed and her your seed and her seed: she shall seed: she shall

crush your head, crush your head, and you shall lie in and you shall lie in wait for her heel.” wait for her heel.”

Genesis 3:15Genesis 3:15

Old Testament Prophesies about Old Testament Prophesies about MaryMary

““Therefore the Lord Therefore the Lord himself shall give himself shall give you a sign. Behold you a sign. Behold

a a virginvirgin shall shall conceive, and conceive, and bearbear

a a sonson and his and his name shall be name shall be

called called EmmanuelEmmanuel.” .”

Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 7:14

The New TestamentThe New TestamentIn the sixth month, the angel In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to Gabriel was sent from God to

a town of Galilee called a town of Galilee called Nazareth, Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of named Joseph, of the house of

David, and the virgin's name was David, and the virgin's name was Mary. Mary.

And coming to her, he said, And coming to her, he said, "Hail, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with favored one! The Lord is with

you."you." But she was greatly troubled at But she was greatly troubled at

what was said and pondered what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might what sort of greeting this might

be. be. Then the angel said to her, Then the angel said to her, "Do "Do

not be afraid, Mary, for you have not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.found favor with God.

Luke 1:26-30Luke 1:26-30

Did you know?Did you know? The phrase The phrase "full of grace""full of grace" is is

translated from the Greek translated from the Greek word word "kecharitomene.""kecharitomene." This This is a unique title given to Mary, is a unique title given to Mary, and and suggests a perfection of suggests a perfection of gracegrace from a past event. Mary from a past event. Mary is not just "highly favored." is not just "highly favored." She has been perfected in She has been perfected in grace by God. grace by God. "Full of grace" "Full of grace" is only used to describe one is only used to describe one other person - Jesus Christother person - Jesus Christ in in John 1:14. John 1:14.

New Testament New Testament

And Mary said: "My And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the soul proclaims the greatness of the greatness of the

Lord; Lord; my spirit rejoices in my spirit rejoices in

God my savior. God my savior. For he has looked For he has looked upon his handmaid's upon his handmaid's

lowliness; behold, lowliness; behold, from now on will from now on will all all

ages call me ages call me blessed.blessed.

Luke 1:46-48Luke 1:46-48

New TestamentNew Testament Mary our Mother in the order of GraceMary our Mother in the order of Grace

“ “When Jesus saw his When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he there whom he loved, he said to his mother, said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."Woman, behold, your son.

Then he said to the Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your disciple, "Behold, your mother."mother."

John 19:26-27John 19:26-27

Did you Know?Did you Know? Martin LutherMartin Luther the father of the the father of the

Reformation considered Mary Reformation considered Mary the mother of all believers.the mother of all believers.In the words of Luther:In the words of Luther:

It is the consolation and the It is the consolation and the superabundant goodness of God, superabundant goodness of God, that man is able to exult in such a that man is able to exult in such a treasure. Mary is his true Mother .. treasure. Mary is his true Mother .. (Sermon, Christmas, 1522)(Sermon, Christmas, 1522)

Mary is the Mother of Jesus and Mary is the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of us even the Mother of all of us even though it was Christ alone who though it was Christ alone who reposed on her knees . . . If he is reposed on her knees . . . If he is ours, we ought to be in his ours, we ought to be in his situation; there where he is, we situation; there where he is, we ought also to be and all that he ought also to be and all that he has ought to be ours, and his has ought to be ours, and his mother is also our mother. mother is also our mother. (Sermon, Christmas, 1529).(Sermon, Christmas, 1529).

Mary’s role in the history of Mary’s role in the history of salvationsalvation

Mary has an important role in Mary has an important role in the the history of salvation.history of salvation.

Her Her YesYes to God (fiat) to God (fiat) innaguarates humanity’s innaguarates humanity’s radical openness to God’s plan radical openness to God’s plan of redemption.of redemption.

*The Annunciation reveals the *The Annunciation reveals the fullness of time, the fulfillment fullness of time, the fulfillment of God’s promises and of God’s promises and preparationspreparations. .

*CCC #484; Gal 4:4; Col 2:9; Lk *CCC #484; Gal 4:4; Col 2:9; Lk 1:34-351:34-35

Mary’s PredestinationMary’s Predestination In Mary’s life there is an In Mary’s life there is an

eschatological anticipationeschatological anticipation of of the fullness of redemption the fullness of redemption promised to all humanity. promised to all humanity.

Mary, the new Eve, is from Mary, the new Eve, is from the moment of her the moment of her conception preserved from conception preserved from all stain of original sin. all stain of original sin.

(Pius IX Ineffabilis Deus, (Pius IX Ineffabilis Deus, 1854).1854).

She is according to Eastern She is according to Eastern Tradition theTradition the Panagia Panagia, the , the All-Holy. In her, and through All-Holy. In her, and through the merits of her Son, God the merits of her Son, God begins a new creation, the begins a new creation, the eschatology of all things eschatology of all things new.” Revelation 21:5new.” Revelation 21:5

Luther on Mary’s Immaculate Luther on Mary’s Immaculate ConceptionConception

She is full of grace, She is full of grace, proclaimed to be entirely proclaimed to be entirely without sin- something without sin- something exceedingly great. For exceedingly great. For God's grace fills her with God's grace fills her with everything good and everything good and makes her devoid of all makes her devoid of all evil.evil. ((Personal {"Little"} Prayer Personal {"Little"} Prayer BookBook, 1522)., 1522).

The dormition of the Theotokos

St. Irenaeus on Mary the New St. Irenaeus on Mary the New EveEve

““Being obedient she Being obedient she became the cause of became the cause of salvation for herself and for salvation for herself and for the whole human race.”the whole human race.”

“ “The knot of Eve’s The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience: what the Mary’s obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith.”faith.”

Mary is the TheotokosMary is the TheotokosGod’s bearerGod’s bearer

CCC#495 CCC#495

Mary’s is acclaimed Mary’s is acclaimed by by

Elizabeth even Elizabeth even before before

The birth of Jesus, as The birth of Jesus, as

Mother of my LordMother of my Lord..

Luke 1:43Luke 1:43

Mary is the TheotokosMary is the TheotokosGod’s Bearer or Mother of GodGod’s Bearer or Mother of God

The Gospels The Gospels recognizedrecognized Mary Mary as the as the mothermother of Jesus. of Jesus.

Jn 2:1; 19:25; Mt 13:55.Jn 2:1; 19:25; Mt 13:55.

CCC# 495CCC# 495 “ “The One whom she conceived The One whom she conceived

as man by the Holy Spirit, as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was according to the flesh, was none other than the Father’s none other than the Father’s eternal Son, the second eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. * person of the Holy Trinity. * Hence the Church confesses Hence the Church confesses that Mary is truly the “Mother that Mary is truly the “Mother of God” (Theo-tokos).of God” (Theo-tokos).

* * Council of EphesusCouncil of Ephesus (431): DS 251 (431): DS 251

Did you know?Did you know?

Theodoret (393-457 AD) an Theodoret (393-457 AD) an influential author, theologian influential author, theologian and early Christian bishop and early Christian bishop from Cyrrhus, Syria wrote in from Cyrrhus, Syria wrote in 436436 that calling the Virgin that calling the Virgin Mary Mary TheotokosTheotokos is an is an ApostolicApostolic tradition. tradition.

Did you know?Did you know? The following reformers all believe in Mary’s perpetual The following reformers all believe in Mary’s perpetual

Virginity: Martin Luther, John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, John Virginity: Martin Luther, John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, John WesleyWesley

““A new lie about me is being circulated. I am supposed to have A new lie about me is being circulated. I am supposed to have preached and written that Mary, the mother of God, was not a virgin preached and written that Mary, the mother of God, was not a virgin either before or after the birth of Christ, but that she conceived either before or after the birth of Christ, but that she conceived Christ through Joseph and had more children after that. - Martin Christ through Joseph and had more children after that. - Martin LutherLuther, ,

"That Jesus Christ Was Born a Jew", in "That Jesus Christ Was Born a Jew", in Luther's WorksLuther's Works, vol. 45, ed. Walther I. Brand, , vol. 45, ed. Walther I. Brand, 1962, Muhlenberg Press, p. 199. 1962, Muhlenberg Press, p. 199.

Helvidius displayed excessive ignorance in concluding that Mary Helvidius displayed excessive ignorance in concluding that Mary must have had many sons, because Christ's 'brothers' are must have had many sons, because Christ's 'brothers' are sometimes mentioned.sometimes mentioned. {{Harmony of Matthew, Mark & LukeHarmony of Matthew, Mark & Luke, sec. 39 (Geneva, 1562), vol. 2 / From , sec. 39 (Geneva, 1562), vol. 2 / From Calvin's Calvin's CommentariesCommentaries, tr. William Pringle, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1949, p.215; on , tr. William Pringle, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1949, p.215; on Matthew 13:55} Matthew 13:55}

Early Christianity and MaryEarly Christianity and Mary

One of the oldest catacombs One of the oldest catacombs contains a drawing of the contains a drawing of the Madonna and Child dating Madonna and Child dating back to the second century, back to the second century, and the oldest known request and the oldest known request to Mary, the "Sub Tuum to Mary, the "Sub Tuum Praesidium", dates back to at Praesidium", dates back to at

least 300 ADleast 300 AD! !

We fly to your patronage, O holy We fly to your patronage, O holy Theotokos;Theotokos;

despise not our petition in our despise not our petition in our necessities,necessities,

but deliver us always from all but deliver us always from all dangers,dangers,

O ever-glorious and blessed Virgin.O ever-glorious and blessed Virgin.

Early Christianity and MaryEarly Christianity and Mary Blessed Virgin, immaculate and Blessed Virgin, immaculate and

pure you are the sinless Mother of pure you are the sinless Mother of your Son, the mighty Lord of the your Son, the mighty Lord of the universe. You are holy and universe. You are holy and inviolate, the hope of the hopeless inviolate, the hope of the hopeless and sinful; we sing your praises. and sinful; we sing your praises. We praise you as full of every We praise you as full of every grace, for you bore the God-Man. grace, for you bore the God-Man. We all venerate you; we invoke We all venerate you; we invoke you and implore your aid...Holy you and implore your aid...Holy and immaculate Virgin...be our and immaculate Virgin...be our intercessor and advocate at the intercessor and advocate at the hour of death and judgment...you hour of death and judgment...you are holy in the sight of God, to are holy in the sight of God, to Whom be honor and glory, Whom be honor and glory, majesty, and power forever.majesty, and power forever. (373 AD, St. Ephem of Edessa) (373 AD, St. Ephem of Edessa)

Mary and Early ChristianityMary and Early Christianity ““It becomes you to be mindful It becomes you to be mindful

of us, as you stand near Him of us, as you stand near Him Who granted you all graces, Who granted you all graces, for you are the Mother of God for you are the Mother of God and our Queen. Help us for and our Queen. Help us for the sake of the King, the Lord the sake of the King, the Lord God Master Who was born of God Master Who was born of you. For this reason you are you. For this reason you are called 'full of Grace'...”called 'full of Grace'...” (373 St. Athanasius)(373 St. Athanasius)

Early Christianity and MaryEarly Christianity and Mary Blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily Blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily

repay you with praise and thanksgiving repay you with praise and thanksgiving for having rescued a fallen world by for having rescued a fallen world by your generous consent? ...accept then your generous consent? ...accept then such poor thanks as we have to offer, such poor thanks as we have to offer, unequal though they be to your merits. unequal though they be to your merits. Receive our gratitude and obtain by Receive our gratitude and obtain by your prayers the pardon of our sins. your prayers the pardon of our sins. Take our prayers into the sanctuary of Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven and enable them to bring heaven and enable them to bring about our peace with God...Holy Mary, about our peace with God...Holy Mary, help the miserable, strengthen the help the miserable, strengthen the discouraged, comfort the sorrowful, discouraged, comfort the sorrowful, pray for your people, plead for the pray for your people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God. May all who consecrated to God. May all who venerate you, feel now your help and venerate you, feel now your help and protection. ...Make it your continual protection. ...Make it your continual care to pray for the people of God, for care to pray for the people of God, for you were blessed by God and were you were blessed by God and were made worthy to bear the Redeemer of made worthy to bear the Redeemer of the world, who lives and reigns for the world, who lives and reigns for ever. ever. (St Augustine in 430 A.D. )(St Augustine in 430 A.D. )

The MemoraeThe Memorae

Remember, O graciousRemember, O graciousVirgin Mary, that never wasVirgin Mary, that never wasit known that anyone whoit known that anyone who

fled to thy protection, implored thyfled to thy protection, implored thyhelp or sought thy intercession washelp or sought thy intercession was

left unaided.left unaided.Inspired by this confidence,Inspired by this confidence,

I fly to thee,I fly to thee,O Virgin of Virgins andO Virgin of Virgins andmy Mother; to thee Imy Mother; to thee I

come, before thee I kneel,come, before thee I kneel,sinful and sorrowful;sinful and sorrowful;

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,O Mother of the Word Incarnate,despise not my petitions, butdespise not my petitions, but

in thy mercy, hear and answer me.in thy mercy, hear and answer me.Amen.Amen.

The EndThe End

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