Anaphoneo!MaryIsTheArkOfTheNewCovenantPresentationNotesbyDeaconJeffDrzycimskiWhatareweasCatholicstobelieveaboutMary,andwhyisthissoimportant?TofindaclueaboutWHYwebelievewhatwebelieve,let’slistenagaintothefamiliarstoryofthevisitationbyMarytohercousinElizabeth(theSecondJoyfulMysteryoftheRosary).Perhapswewilluncoveradetailwemighthaveoverlookedbefore.Lk1:39­44InthosedaysMaryaroseandwentwithhasteintothehillcountry,toacityofJudah,andsheenteredthehouseofZechariahandgreetedElizabeth.AndwhenElizabethheardthegreetingofMary,thebabeleapedinherwomb;andElizabethwasfilledwiththeHolySpiritandsheexclaimedwithaloudcry,"Blessedareyouamongwomen,andblessedisthefruitofyourwomb!Andwhyisthisgrantedme,thatthemotherofmyLordshouldcometome?Forbehold,whenthevoiceofyourgreetingcametomyears,thebabeinmywombleapedforjoy."Didyou“hear”that?TheGreekverbtranslatedas“exclaimedwithaloudcry”(anaphoneo)isusedonlyonceintheNewTestament,todescribeElizabeth’sjoyathearingMary’sgreeting.Thissameverbisusedonly4timesintheOldTestament,andeachofthoserelatingtothestoryoftheArkoftheCovenant.ItreferstothesoundsofworshipmadebytheLeviticalmusiciansandsingersinworshipofthepresenceofGodintheArk…1Chr15:28SoallIsraelbroughtupthearkofthecovenantoftheLORDwithshouting,tothesoundofthehorn,trumpets,andcymbals,andmadeloudmusiconharpsandlyres.1Chr16:4­6MoreoverheappointedcertainoftheLevitesasministersbeforethearkoftheLORD,toinvoke,tothank,andtopraisetheLORD,theGodofIsrael.Asaphwasthechief,andsecondtohimwereZechariah,Jeiel,Shemiramoth,Jehiel,Mattithiah,Eliab,Benaiah,Obededom,andJeiel,whoweretoplayharpsandlyres;Asaphwastosoundthecymbals,andBenaiahandJahazielthepriestsweretoblowtrumpetscontinually,beforethearkofthecovenantofGod.2Chr5:11­14Nowwhenthepriestscameoutoftheholyplace(forallthepriestswhowerepresenthadsanctifiedthemselves,withoutregardtotheirdivisions;andalltheLeviticalsingers,Asaph,Heman,andJeduthun,theirsonsandkinsmen,arrayedinfinelinen,withcymbals,harps,andlyres,stoodeastofthealtarwithahundredandtwentypriestswhoweretrumpeters;anditwasthedutyofthetrumpetersandsingerstomakethemselvesheardinunisoninpraiseandthanksgivingtotheLORD),andwhenthesongwasraised,withtrumpetsandcymbalsandothermusicalinstruments,inpraisetotheLORD,"Forheisgood,forhissteadfastloveenduresforever,"thehouse,thehouseoftheLORD,wasfilledwithacloud,sothatthepriestscouldnotstandtoministerbecauseofthecloud;forthegloryoftheLORDfilledthehouseofGod.

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MaryistheArkoftheNewCovenantFromSacredScriptureTheArkwasperfectineverydetail,overlaidinpuregoldandheldGod'stestimony(word)...Ex25:10­11,16"Theyshallmakeanarkofacaciawood;twocubitsandahalfshallbeitslength,acubitandahalfitsbreadth,andacubitandahalfitsheight.Andyoushalloverlayitwithpuregold,withinandwithoutshallyouoverlayit,andyoushallmakeuponitamoldingofgoldroundabout….AndyoushallputintothearkthetestimonywhichIshallgiveyou."MarywasfullofGod’sgrace(highlyfavored),perfectedingrace...Lk1:28Andhecametoherandsaid,"Hail,fullofgrace,theLordiswithyou!"GodwaspresentintheArk...Ex40:34Thenthecloudcoveredthetentofmeeting,andthegloryoftheLORDfilledthetabernacle.AndGodwaspresentinMary...Lk1:35Andtheangelsaidtoher,"TheHolySpiritwillcomeuponyou,andthepoweroftheMostHighwillovershadowyou;thereforethechildtobebornwillbecalledholy,theSonofGod.(TheGreekverb'overshadow'isthesameGreekverbusedfor'covered'intheExodusverseabove)NoonewasallowedtotouchtheArk...2Sam6:6­7AndwhentheycametothethreshingfloorofNacon,UzzahputouthishandtothearkofGodandtookholdofit,fortheoxenstumbled.AndtheangeroftheLORDwaskindledagainstUzzah;andGodsmotehimtherebecauseheputforthhishandtotheark;andhediedtherebesidethearkofGod.Marywasavirgin(noonetouchedher)...Lk1:34AndMarysaidtotheangel,"Howshallthisbe,sinceIhavenohusband?"Elizabeth'swordsarevirtuallyidenticaltoDavid'suponseeingtheArkoftheCovenant...2Sam6:9AndDavid…said,"HowcanthearkoftheLORDcometome?"Lk1:43[Elizabethsaid,]"Andwhyisthisgrantedme,thatthemotherofmyLordshouldcometome?"TheArkoftheCovenantbroughtblessingstothehouseofObededumandDaviddancedwithjoy...2Sam6:12,14AnditwastoldKingDavid,"TheLORDhasblessedthehouseholdofObededomandallthatbelongstohim,becauseofthearkofGod."…AndDaviddancedbeforetheLORDwithallhismight.ElizabethwasblessedbyMary'svisit,andherbabeleapedinherwomb...Lk1:41­42AndwhenElizabethheardthegreetingofMary,thebabeleapedinherwomb;andElizabethwasfilledwiththeHolySpiritandsheexclaimedwithaloudcry,"Blessedareyouamongwomen,andblessedisthefruitofyourwomb!"

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TheArkoftheCovenantremainedinthehouseofObededumforthreemonths...2Sam6:12AndthearkoftheLORDremainedinthehouseofObededomtheGittitethreemonths;andtheLORDblessedObededomandallhishousehold.Mary,theNewArk,remainedwithElizabethforthreemonths…Lk1:56AndMaryremainedwithheraboutthreemonths,andreturnedtoherhome.MaryistheArkinHeaven...Rev11:19­12:1ThenGod’stempleinheavenwasopened,andthearkofhiscovenantwasseenwithinhistemple…Andagreatportentappearedinheaven,awomanclothedwiththesun,withthemoonunderfeet,andonherheadacrownoftwelvestars.FromTheChurchFathersSt.MaximusofTurin(c.450AD):...David,atoncekingandprophet,isalsosaidtohavedancedbeforethearkofthecovenantwithmuchsinging.Inhighrejoicinghebrokeintodancing,forintheSpiritheforesawMary,bornofhisownline....TheprophetDaviddanced,then.ButwhatwouldwesaythatthearkwasifnotholyMary,sincethearkcarriedwithinitthetablesofthecovenant,whileMaryborethemasterofthesamecovenant?Theoneborethelawwithinitselfandtheotherthegospel,butthearkgleamedwithinandwithoutwiththeradianceofgold,whileholyMaryshonewithinandwithoutwiththesplendorofvirginity;theonewasadornedwithearthlygold,theotherwithheavenly.Sermon42,5St.TheophanesofNicaea(i.800­815AD):Theangel:Rejoice,lady;rejoice,mostpurevirgin!Rejoice,God‐containingvessel!Rejoice,candlestickofthelight,therestorationofAdamandthedeliveranceofEve!Rejoice,holymountain,shiningsanctuary!Rejoice,bridalchamberofimmortality!Theotokos:ThedescentoftheHolySpirithaspurifiedmysoul;ithassanctifiedmybody;ithasmademeatemplecontainingGod,adivinelyadornedtabernacle,alivingsanctuaryandthepuremotheroflife.Theangel:Iseeyouasalampwithmanylights;abridalchambermadebyGod!Spotlessmaiden,asanarkofgold,receivenowthegiverofthelaw,whothroughyouhasbeenpleasedtodeliverhumankind'scorruptednature!CanonofAnnunciationSo,now,let’slookcloserattheDogmasofMaryastaughtinSacredScriptureANDSacredTradition.

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MarianDoctrine:TheDogmas1.Mary,MotherofGodFromSacredScriptureElizabethknowsMarytobetheMotherofGod…Lk1:43Andwhyisthisgrantedme,thatthemotherofmyLordshouldcometome?AnangeloftheLordappearedtoJosephinadreamandsaidMarywouldbearGod’sson…Mt1:23Behold,avirginwillconceiveandbearason,andhisnameshallbecalledEmmanuel(whichmeansGodwithus).TheangelGabrielannouncedtoMarythatshewastobemothertotheSonofGod…Lk1:35Andtheangelsaidtoher,"TheHolySpiritwillcomeuponyou,andthepoweroftheMostHighwillovershadowyou;thereforethechildtobebornwillbecalledholy,theSonofGod."PaulknewMarywasthemotheroftheSonofGod…Gal4:4­5Butwhenthetimehadfullycome,GodsentforthhisSon,bornofwoman,bornunderthelaw,toredeemthosewhowereunderthelaw,sothatwemightreceiveadoptionassons.And,obviously,JesusisindeedGod…Jn1:1InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.Jn1:14AndtheWordbecamefleshanddweltamongus,fullofgraceandtruth;wehavebeheldhisglory,gloryasoftheonlySonfromtheFather.FromTheChurchFathersSt.CyrilofAlexandria(c.430AD):Foraunionoftwonatureswasmade,andthereforeweconfessoneChrist,oneSon,oneLord.AnditiswiththisnotionofaunionthatweproclaimtheVirgintobethemotherofGod,becauseGodtheWordwasmadefleshandbecameman,andbytheactofconceptionunitedtohimselfthetemplethathereceivedfromher.CommentaryonLuke,Homily1St.Jerome(409AD):Donotmarvelatthenoveltyofthething,ifaVirgingivesbirthtoGod.CommentariesonIsaiah3,7,15St.TheodoreofMopsuestia(405AD):When,therefore,theyask,"IsMarymotherofmanorMotherofGod?"weanswer,"Both!"Theonebytheverynatureofwhatwasdoneandtheotherbyrelation.MotherofmanbecauseitwasamanwhowasinthewombofMaryandwhocameforthfromthere,andtheMotherofGodbecauseGodwasinthemanwhowasborn.TheIncarnation15

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St.JohnDamascus(725AD):MoreoverweproclaimtheholyVirgintobeinstricttruththeMotherofGod.ForinasmuchasHewhowasbornofherwastrueGod,shewhobaresthetrueGodincarnateisthetrueMotherofGod.ForweholdthatGodwasbornofher,notimplyingthatthedivinityoftheWordreceivedfromherthebeginningofitsbeing,butmeaningthatGodtheWordHimself,WhowasbegottenoftheFathertimelesslybeforetheages,andwaswiththeFatherandtheSpiritwithoutbeginningandthrougheternity,tookupHisabodeintheselastdaysforthesakeofoursalvationintheVirgin'swombandwaswithoutchangemadefleshandbornofher.FortheholyVirgindidnotbearmeremanbuttrueGod:andnotmereGodbutGodincarnate,WhodidnotbringdownHisbodyfromHeaven,notsimplypassedthroughtheVirginaschannel,butreceivedfromherfleshoflikeessencetoourownandsubsistinginHimself.Forifthebodyhadcomedownfromheavenandhadnotpartakenofournature,whatwouldhavebeentheuseofHisbecomingman?ForthepurposeofGodtheWordbecomingmanwasthattheverysamenature,whichhadsinnedandfallenandbecomecorrupted,shouldtriumphoverthedeceivingtyrantandsobefreedfromcorruption.ExpositionoftheOrthodoxFaith3,12St.JohnCassian(429AD):Andsoyousay,0heretic,whoeveryoumaybe,whodenythatGodwasbornoftheVirgin,thatMarytheMotherofourLordJesusChristoughtnottobecalledTheotokos,MotherofGod,butChristotokos,onlytheMotherofChrist,notofGod.Fornoone,yousay,bringsforthwhatisanteriorintime.AndofthisutterlyfoolishargumentwherebyyouthinkthatthebirthofGodcanbeunderstoodbycarnalminds,andfancythatthemysteryofHisMajestycanbeaccountedforhumanreasoning,wewill,ifGodpermits,saysomethinglateron.InthemeanwhilewewillnowprovebyDivinetestimoniesthatChristisGod,andthatMaryistheMotherofGod.SevenBooksontheIncarnationoftheLord,AgainstNestorius2,2FromTheReformersMartinLuther(1522AD):Godsays'Mary'sSonisMyonlySon.'ThusMaryistheMotherofGod.SermonJohnCalvin(1560AD):ItcannotbedeniedthatGodinchoosinganddestiningMarytobetheMotherofHisSon,grantedherthehighesthonor....ElizabethcalledMaryMotheroftheLord,becausetheunityofthepersoninthetwonaturesofChristwassuchthatshecouldhavethatthemortalmanengenderedinthewombofMarywasatthesametimetheeternalGod.CorpusReformatorum45,pg348FromtheCatechismregarding“Mary,MotherofGod”:CCC495:CalledintheGospels"theMotherofJesus",MaryisacclaimedbyElizabeth,atthepromptingoftheSpiritandevenbeforethebirthofherson,as"themotherofmyLord".Infact,theOnewhomsheconceivedasmanbytheHolySpirit,whotrulybecameherSonaccordingtotheflesh,wasnoneotherthantheFather'seternalSon,thesecondpersonoftheHolyTrinity.HencetheChurchconfessesthatMaryistruly"MotherofGod",orTheotokos.

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2.Mary,PerpetualVirginFromSacredScriptureJesus’BrothersandSistersDidJesushavesiblings?MostProtestantssayHedid!Mt13:55­56Isnotthisthecarpenter'sson?IsnothismothercalledMary?AndarenothisbrothersJamesandJosephandSimonandJudas?Andarenotallhissisterswithus?Gal1:18­19ThenafterthreeyearsIwentuptoJerusalemtovisitCephas,andremainedwithhimfifteendays.ButIsawnoneoftheotherapostlesexceptJamestheLord'sbrother.Marywasavirginfromthestart…Lk1:34AndMarysaidtotheangel,"Howshallthisbe,sinceIhavenohusband?"Attheageoftwelve,JesuswasprobablystilltheonlysonofMary(anotherchildwasnotmentioned)…Lk2:39­51AndwhentheyhadperformedeverythingaccordingtothelawoftheLord,theyreturnedintoGalilee,totheirowncity,Nazareth.Andthechildgrewandbecamestrong,filledwithwisdom;andthefavorofGodwasuponhim.NowhisparentswenttoJerusalemeveryyearatthefeastofthePassover.Andwhenhewastwelveyearsold,theywentupaccordingtocustom;andwhenthefeastwasended,astheywerereturning,theboyJesusstayedbehindinJerusalem.Hisparentsdidnotknowit,butsupposinghimtobeinthecompanytheywentaday'sjourney,andtheysoughthimamongtheirkinsfolkandacquaintances;andwhentheydidnotfindhim,theyreturnedtoJerusalem,seekinghim.Afterthreedaystheyfoundhiminthetemple,sittingamongtheteachers,listeningtothemandaskingthemquestions;allwhoheardhimwereamazedathisunderstandingandhisanswers.Andwhentheysawhimtheywereastonished;andhismothersaidtohim,"Son,whyhaveyoutreatedusso?Behold,yourfatherandIhavebeenlookingforyouanxiously."Andhesaidtothem,"Howisitthatyousoughtme?DidyounotknowthatImustbeinmyFather'shouse?"Andtheydidnotunderstandthesayingwhichhespoketothem.AndhewentdownwiththemandcametoNazareth,andwasobedienttothem;andhismotherkeptallthesethingsinherheart.AndJesusincreasedinwisdomandinstature,andinfavorwithGodandman.ThetownspeoplereferredtoJesusnotas“a”sonofMary…Mk6:3Isnotthisthecarpenter,thesonofMaryandbrotherofJamesandJosesandJudasandSimon,andarenothissistersherewithus?Atthecrucifixion,MarythemotherofJamesandJosephwerepresent…Mt27:55­56Therewerealsomanywomenthere,lookingonfromafar,whohadfollowedJesusfromGalilee,ministeringtohim;amongwhomwereMaryMagdalene,andMarythemotherofJamesandJoseph,andthemotherofthesonsofZebedee.ButinaparallelverseinJohn,wefindthatthisMarywasthewifeofClopas–notJoseph…Jn19:25ButstandingbythecrossofJesuswerehismother,andhismother'ssister,MarythewifeofClopas,andMaryMagdalene.IntheKingJamesVersion,AbramandLotwerebrothers…

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Gen14:16Andhebroughtbackallthegoods,andalsobroughtagainhisbrotherLot,andhisgoods,andthewomenalso,andthepeople.(KJV)But,LotwasAbram'snephew,notbrother…Gen11:27NowthesearethedescendantsofTerah.TerahwasthefatherofAbram,Nahor,andHaran;andHaranwasthefatherofLot.(RSV)BecauseoftheirrootGreekwords,“kinsman”(or“cousins”)and“brother”canbeinterchangeable…meaningmerely“bloodrelatives”…Gen14:16Thenhebroughtbackallthegoods,andalsobroughtbackhiskinsmanLotwithhisgoods,andthewomenandthepeople.(RSV)JesusentrustedMarytoJohn,insteadofayoungersibling–thisneverwouldhavehappenedinJewishcultureifMaryhadothersons…Jn19:26­27WhenJesussawhismother,andthedisciplewhomhelovedstandingnear,hesaidtohismother,"Woman,behold,yourson!"Thenhesaidtothedisciple,"Behold,yourmother!"Andfromthathourthediscipletookhertohisownhome.Jesus’actualyoungerbrothersadvisinglikeelders?Itwasunthinkableforyoungersiblingstotellthefirst‐bornsonwhattodoinJewishculture…Jn7:3­4Sohisbrotherssaidtohim,"LeavehereandgotoJudea,thatyourdisciplesmayseetheworksyouaredoing.Fornomanworksinsecretifheseekstobeknownopenly.Ifyoudothesethings,showyourselftotheworld."HeKnewHerNot“Until”Does“until”meantheyeventuallyhadmaritalrelations?Again,Protestantstellusitdoes.Mt1:24­25WhenJosephwokefromsleep,hedidastheangeloftheLordcommandedhim;hetookhiswife,butknewhernotuntilshehadborneason;andhecalledhisnameJesus.WillHenotbewithusafterthecloseoftheage?Mt28:19­20Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatIhavecommandedyou;andlo,Iamwithyoualways,to(until)thecloseoftheage.DidPauladvisenottoread,preachorteachanymoreafterhecomes?1Tim4:13TillIcome,attendtothepublicreadingofscripture,topreaching,toteaching.WillHenotreignafterhehasdefeatedHisenemies?1Cor15:25Forhemustreignuntilhehasputallhisenemiesunderhisfeet.WasJohntheBaptistnolongerinthewildernessafterthedayofhismanifestation?Lk1:80Andthechildgrewandbecamestronginspirit,andhewasinthewildernesstill(until)thedayofhismanifestationtoIsrael.Thisholdstruefortheoppositeaswell…doesthisverseimplythatMichalhadchildrenafterherdeath?…2Sam6:23AndMichalthedaughterofSaulhadnochildto(until)thedayofherdeath.

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Mary’sFirst­bornSonJesusisthefirst‐bornofMary(soshemusthavehadothers?)…Lk2:7Andshegavebirthtoherfirst‐bornsonandwrappedhiminswaddlingcloths,andlaidhiminamanger,becausetherewasnoplaceforthemintheinn.Then,thisverseimpliesthatGodhada2ndor3rd‐born…Col1:15HeistheimageoftheinvisibleGod,thefirst‐bornofallcreation.First‐bornisastateofhonororpre‐eminenceamongchildren(evenifthereisonechild)…Ex13:2Consecratetomeallthefirst‐born;whateveristhefirsttoopenthewombamongthepeopleofIsrael,bothofmanandofbeast,ismine.Num3:12­13Behold,IhavetakentheLevitesfromamongthepeopleofIsraelinsteadofeveryfirst‐bornthatopensthewombamongthepeopleofIsrael.TheLevitesshallbemine,forallthefirst‐bornaremine;onthedaythatIslewallthefirst‐borninthelandofEgypt,Iconsecratedformyownallthefirst‐borninIsrael,bothofmanandofbeast;theyshallbemine:IamtheLORD.Ex34:20Allthefirst‐bornofyoursonsyoushallredeem.Andnoneshallappearbeforemeempty.Ezekiel’sProphecyIntheOldTestamentEzekialprophesiedaboutMary’sperpetualvirginity…Ezek44:2Thisgateshallremainshut;itshallnotbeopened,andnooneshallenterbyit;fortheLORD,theGodofIsrael,hasenteredbyit;thereforeitshallremainshut.FromTheChurchFathersSt.AugustineofHippo(401AD):WhatmeansthisclosedgateintheHouseoftheLord,exceptthatMaryistobeeverinviolate?Whatdoesitmeanthat'nomanshallpassthroughit,'savethatJosephshallnotknowher?Andwhatisthis‐'TheLordaloneentersinandgoethoutbyit'‐exceptthattheHolyGhostshallimpregnateher,andthattheLordofangelsshallbebornofher?Andwhatmeansthis‐'itshallbeshutforevermore'‐butthatMaryisavirginbeforeHisBirth,avirgininHisBirth,andavirginafterHisBirth?"OnHolyVirginitySt.CyrilofAlexandria(c.430AD):Somearguethatifhewerebroughtforthintheflesh,theVirginwascorrupted.Ifshewerenotcorrupted,thenhewasbroughtforthonlyinappearance.Wereply,"theLord,theGodofIsrael,hasenteredinandgoneout,andthegateremainsclosed."If,moreover,theWordwasmadefleshwithoutsexualintercourse,beingconceivedaltogetherwithoutseed,thenhewasbornwithoutinjurytohervirginity.CommentaryonLuke,Homily1St.Jerome(i.375­420AD):HolyMary,blessedMary,motherandvirgin,virginbeforegivingbirth,virginaftergivingbirth!I,formypart,marvelhowavirginisbornofavirgin,andhow,afterthebirthofavirgin,themotherisavirgin.Wouldyouliketoknowhowheisbornofavirginand,afterhisnativity,themotherisstillavirgin?"Thedoorswereclosed,andJesusentered."Thereisnoquestionaboutthat.Hewhoenteredthroughthecloseddoorswasneitheraghostnoraspirit.Hewasarealmanwitharealbody.Furthermore,whatdoeshesay?"Touchmeandsee.Foraspiritdoesnothavefleshandbones,asyousee

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Ihave."Hehadfleshandbones,andthedoorswereclosed.Howdofleshandbonesenterthroughcloseddoors?Thedoorsareclosed,andheenters,whomwedonotseeentering.Whencehasheentered?Everythingisclosedup.Thereisnoplacethroughwhichhemayenter.Neverthelesshewhohasenterediswithin,andhowheenteredisnotevident.Youdonotknowhowhisentrancewasaccomplished,andyouattributeittothepowerofGod.AttributetothepowerofGod,then,thathewasbornofavirginandthevirginherselfafterbringingforthwasavirginstill.Homily87St.JohnChrysostum(370AD):AndwhenJosephhadtakenher,"hehadnorelationswithheruntilshehadborneason."MatthewhashereusedtheworduntilnotthatyoushouldsuspectthatafterwardJosephdidknowherbuttoinformyouthatbeforethebirththeVirginwaswhollyuntouchedbyman.Butwhythen,itmaybesaid,hasheusedtheworduntil?BecauseitiscommoninScripturethatthisexpressionisusedwithoutreferencetospecific,limitedtimes.TheGospelofMatthew,Homily5,3St.ChromatiusofAquileia(i.375­400AD):ButconcerningwhattheEvangelistsaid,"Andhedidnotknowhertillshehadborneherfirst‐bornson,"notafewcarelesspeopleinsistonaskingwhetheraftertheLord'sbirththeholyMotherMaryhadrelationswithJoseph.Butthisisnotadmissibleonthegroundsofeitherfaithortruth.FarbeitindeedthatafterthesacramentofsogreatamysteryandafterthebirthofthesublimeLord,oneshouldbelievethattheVirginMarywasintimatewithaman.RememberthatMiriamtheprophetessoftheOldTestament(thesisterofMosesandAaron)remainedavirginunsulliedbyman,havingbeheldthelightofheavenlysignsaftertheplaguesofEgyptandthepartingoftheRedSeaandtheLord'sglorygoinginadvanceandseeninapillaroffireandclouds.ItisnotplausiblethereforethattheMaryoftheGospel,avirginbearingGod,whobeheldGod'sglorynotinacloudbutwasworthyofcarryinghiminhervirginalwomb,hadrelationswithaman.Noah,whowasmadeworthytoconversewithGod,declaredthathewouldabstainfromtheconjugalneed.Moses,afterhearingGodcallinghimfromthebush,abstainedfromconjugalrelations.NowarewetobelievethatJoseph,themanwhoalwaysdidwhatwasright,hadrelationswithholyMaryafterthebirthoftheLord?TractateonMatthew3,1St.AugustineofHippo(401AD):ThusChristbybeingbornofavirgin,who,beforesheknewWhowastobebornofher,haddeterminedtocontinueavirgin,choserathertoapprove,thantocommandholyvirginity.Andthus,eveninthefemaleherself,inwhomHetooktheformofaservant,Hewilledthatvirginityshouldbefree.OnHolyVirginity4,4St.Jerome(c.383AD):YousaythatMarydidnotcontinueavirgin:Iclaimstillmore,thatJosephhimselfonaccountofMary,wasavirgin,sothatfromavirginwedlockavirginsonwasborn.ThePerpetualVirginityofBlessedMary21St.AugustineofHippo(i.391­430AD):AVirginconceiving,aVirginbearing,aVirginpregnant,aVirginbringingforth,aVirginperpetual.Sermons186,1,1

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FromTheReformersMartinLuther(1530AD):ChristwastheonlySonofMary,andtheVirginborenomorechildrenbesidesHim....Iaminclinedtoagreewiththosewhodeclare'brothers'reallymeans'cousins'here,andHolyWritandtheJewshavealwayscalledcousinsbrothers.Christ,ourSavior,wastherealandnaturalfruitofMary'svirginalwomb...,thiswaswithoutthecooperationofaman,andsheremainedavirginafterthat.SermonsontheGospelofJohn1,23JohnCalvin(1560AD):Therehavebeencertainfolkwhohavewishedtosuggestfromthispassage[Mt1:25]thattheVirginMaryhadotherchildrenthantheSonofGod,andthatJosephhadthendweltwithherlater;butwhatfollythisis!Forthegospelwriterdidnotwishtorecordwhathappenedafterwards;hesimplywishedtomakeclearJoseph'sobedienceandtoshowalsothatJosephhadbeenwellandtrulyassuredthatitwasGodwhohadsentHisangeltoMary.Hehadthereforeneverdweltwithhernorhadhesharedhercompany....Andbesidesthis,ourLordJesusChristiscalledthefirst‐born.Thisisnotbecausetherewasasecondorathird,butbecausethegospelwriterispayingregardtoprecedence.Scripturespeaksthusofnamingthefirst‐bornwhetherornottherewasanyquestionofthesecond.SermononMatthewUlrichZwingli(1560AD):IfirmlybelievethatMary,accordingtothewordsofthegospelasapureVirginbroughtforthforustheSonofGodandinchildbirthandafterchildbirthforeverremainedapure,intactVirgin.CorpusReformatorum1,pg424FromtheCatechismregarding“Mary’sPerpetualVirginity”:CCC499:ThedeepeningoffaithinthevirginalmotherhoodledtheChurchtoconfessMary'srealandperpetualvirginityevenintheactofgivingbirthtotheSonofGodmademan.Infact,Christ'sbirth"didnotdiminishhismother'svirginalintegritybutsanctifiedit."AndsotheliturgyoftheChurchcelebratesMaryasAeiparthenos,the"Ever‐virgin."CCC500:AgainstthisdoctrinetheobjectionissometimesraisedthattheBiblementionsbrothersandsistersofJesus.TheChurchhasalwaysunderstoodthesepassagesasnotreferringtootherchildrenoftheVirginMary.InfactJamesandJoseph,"brothersofJesus,"arethesonsofanotherMary,adiscipleofChrist,whomSt.Matthewsignificantlycalls"theotherMary."TheyarecloserelationsofJesus,accordingtoanOldTestamentexpression.

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3.Mary,HerImmaculateConceptionFromSacredScriptureDidMarysin?Here’swhyourseparatedbrothersandsistersthinkso…Rom3:22­25Forthereisnodistinction;sinceallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod,theyarejustifiedbyhisgraceasagift,throughtheredemptionwhichisinChristJesus,whomGodputforwardasanexpiationbyhisblood,tobereceivedbyfaith.Sheadmitsthatsheneededasavior(soshemustbeasinner?)…Lk1:46­48AndMarysaid,"MysoulmagnifiestheLord,andmyspiritrejoicesinGodmySavior,forhehasregardedthelowestateofhishandmaiden.But,GabrielproclaimsthatsheisFULLofgrace(Greekkecharitomene–moreaccuratetranslation:graced…pasttense),sothereisnoplaceforsin…Lk1:28Andhecametoherandsaid,"Hail,fullofgrace,theLordiswithyou!"Lk1:30Andtheangelsaidtoher,"Donotbeafraid,Mary,foryouhavefoundfavorwithGod."CertainlyGodcanaccomplishthis…Lk1:37ForwithGodnothingwillbeimpossible.Godpreservedherfromsin,actingasasaviorintheprocessofpreservation…Gen3:15Iwillputenmitybetweenyou[Satan]andthewoman[Mary],andbetweenyourseed[sin]andherseed[Jesus];heshallbruiseyourhead,andyoushallbruisehisheel.MaryisthepureArkoftheNewCovenant,theOldTestamentArkwasmadeofpuregold…Ex25:8­11Andletthemmakemeasanctuary,thatImaydwellintheirmidst.AccordingtoallthatIshowyouconcerningthepatternofthetabernacle,andofallitsfurniture,soyoushallmakeit.Theyshallmakeanarkofacaciawood;twocubitsandahalfshallbeitslength,acubitandahalfitsbreadth,andacubitandahalfitsheight.Andyoushalloverlayitwithpuregold,withinandwithoutshallyouoverlayit,andyoushallmakeuponitamoldingofgoldroundabout.FromTheChurchFathersSt.EphraimtheSyrian(c.370AD):Trulyyou,Lord,andyourmotheraretheonlyoneswhoarebeautiful,completelysoineveryrespect;for,Lord,thereisnospotinyou,noranyspotatallinyourmother.Evenmybabesarehardlysimilartothesetwopulchritudes!NisibeneHymns27,8St.AmbroseofMilan(i.387­388AD):Come,then,andsearchoutYoursheep,notthroughYourservantsorhiredmen,butdoitYourself.Liftmeupbodilyandintheflesh,whichisfalleninAdam.LiftmeupnotfromSarabutfromMary,aVirginnotonlyundefiledbutaVirginwhomgracehasmadeinviolate,freeofeverystainofsin.CommentariesonthePsalms118,22,30St.AugustineofHippo(415AD):WemustexcepttheholyVirginMary,concerningwhomIwishtoraisenoquestionwhenittouchesthesubjectofsins,outofhonortotheLord;forfromHimweknowwhatabundanceofgraceforovercomingsinineveryparticularwas

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conferreduponherwhohadthemerittoconceiveandbearHimwhoundoubtedlyhadnosin.OnNatureandGrace36,42St.AndrewofCrete(a.740AD):Today,OSavior,youhavegivenpiousAnnefruitfuloffspringofherwomb,YourImmaculateMother!OVirginundefiled,undefiledisyourbirth!CanonontheNativityoftheBlessedVirginMother,Odes4and5St.GermainIofConstantinople(c.700AD):Letdeathpassyouby,0MotherofGod,becausehavebroughtlifetomen.Letthetombpassyouby,becauseyouhavebecauseyouhavebeenmadethefoundationstoneofinexplicablesublimity.Letdustpassyouby;foryouareanewkindofformation,sothatyoumaybemistressoverthoseWhohavebeencorruptedintheverystuffoftheirpotter'sclay....Painfulthoughitbeforthesoultobedrawnawayfromthebody.0MostImmaculateLady,itisfarmorepainfultobedeprivedofyou!SecondSermonontheDormitionoftheBlessedVirginMarySt.TheophanesofNicaea(c.775AD):[TheangelGabrielsaid,]"IamsentasGod'smessengertodisclosethedivinewilltoyou.Whyareyouafraidofme,undefiledone?Iratheramafraidofyou!Whydoyoustandinaweofme,0lady,whostandinreverentaweofyou!"CanonofAnnunciationFromTheReformersMartinLuther(1530AD):ItisasweetandpiousbeliefthattheinfusionofMary'ssoulwaseffectedwithoutoriginalsin;sothatintheveryinfusionofhersoulshewasalsopurifiedfromoriginalsinandadornedwithGod'sgifts,receivingapuresoulinfusedbyGod.Thusfromthefirstmomentshebegantoliveshewasfreefromallsin.OntheDayoftheConceptionoftheMotherofGod,SermonsontheGospelofJohn22FromtheCatechismregarding“Mary’sImmaculateConception”:CCC490:TobecomethemotheroftheSavior,Mary"wasenrichedbyGodwithgiftsappropriatetosucharole.”TheangelGabrielatthemomentoftheannunciationsalutesheras"fullofgrace.”Infact,inorderforMarytobeabletogivethefreeassentofherfaithtotheannouncementofhervocation,itwasnecessarythatshebewhollybornebyGod'sgrace.CCC491:ThroughthecenturiestheChurchhasbecomeevermoreawarethatMary,"fullofgrace"throughGod,wasredeemedfromthemomentofherconception.ThatiswhatthedogmaoftheImmaculateConceptionconfesses,asPopePiusIXproclaimedin1854:ThemostBlessedVirginMarywas,fromthefirstmomentofherconception,byasingulargraceandprivilegeofalmightyGodandbyvirtueofthemeritsofJesusChrist,Saviorofthehumanrace,preservedimmunefromallstainoforiginalsin.

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4.Mary,HerGloriousAssumptionFromSacredScriptureMarywasnotthefirsttobeassumed,northelast.OthersbeforeMaryweretakenbodilytoheaven–likeEnoch…Gen5:23­24ThusallthedaysofEnochwerethreehundredandsixty‐fiveyears.EnochwalkedwithGod;andhewasnot,forGodtookhim.Heb11:5ByfaithEnochwastakenupsothatheshouldnotseedeath;andhewasnotfound,becauseGodhadtakenhim.NowbeforehewastakenhewasattestedashavingpleasedGod.Elijahwasassumedintoheaveninafierychariot…2Kgs2:11­12Andastheystillwentonandtalked,behold,achariotoffireandhorsesoffireseparatedthetwoofthem.AndElijahwentupbyawhirlwindintoheaven.AndElishasawitandhecried,"Myfather,myfather!thechariotsofIsraelanditshorsemen!"Andhesawhimnomore.AtJesus’death,manysaintswereraisedfromtheirtombsandappearedtomany…Mt27:51­53Andbehold,thecurtainofthetemplewastornintwo,fromtoptobottom;andtheearthshook,andtherocksweresplit;thetombsalsowereopened,andmanybodiesofthesaintswhohadfallenasleepwereraised,andcomingoutofthetombsafterhisresurrectiontheywentintotheholycityandappearedtomany.IftheLordreturnsbeforewearedead,wetoowillbebodilyassumed…1Thess4:16­17FortheLordhimselfwilldescendfromheavenwithacryofcommand,withthearchangel'scall,andwiththesoundofthetrumpetofGod.AndthedeadinChristwillrisefirst;thenwewhoarealive,whoareleft,shallbecaughtuptogetherwiththeminthecloudstomeettheLordintheair;andsoweshallalwaysbewiththeLord.1Cor15:51­52Lo!Itellyouamystery.Weshallnotallsleep,butweshallallbechanged,inamoment,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrumpet.Forthetrumpetwillsound,andthedeadwillberaisedimperishable,andweshallbechanged.SinceMarywaswithoutsinandinastateofextremegrace,herbodymightverywellhavebeenpreservedfromdeath…Rom6:23Forthewagesofsinisdeath,butthefreegiftofGodiseternallifeinChristJesusourLord.ShewasassumedintoheavenandappearedastheArkoftheNewCovenant,andcrownedqueenofheaven…Rev11:19­12:2ThenGod'stempleinheavenwasopened,andthearkofhiscovenantwasseenwithinhistemple;andtherewereflashesoflightning,voices,pealsofthunder,anearthquake,andheavyhail.Andagreatportentappearedinheaven,awomanclothedwiththesun,withthemoonunderherfeet,andonherheadacrownoftwelvestars;shewaswithchildandshecriedoutinherpangsofbirth,inanguishfordelivery.

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FromTheChurchFathersSt.GregoryofTours(i.575­593AD):ThecourseofthislifehavingbeencompletedbyBlessedMary,whennowshewouldbecalledfromthisworld,alltheapostlescametogetherfromtheirvariousregionstoherhouse.Andwhentheyhadheardthatshewasabouttobetakenfromtheworld,theykeptwatchtogetherwithher.Andbehold,theLordJesuscamewithhisangels,andtakinghersoul,HegaveitovertotheAngelMichaelandwithdrew.Atdaybreak,however,theapostlestookupherbodyonabierandplaceditinatomb;andtheyguardedit,expectingtheLordtocome.Andbehold,againtheLordstoodbythem;andtheholybodyhavingbeenreceived,Hecommandedthatitbetakeninacloudintoparadise;wherenow,rejoinedtothesoul,MaryrejoiceswiththeLord'schosenones,andisintheenjoymentofthegoodofaneternitythatwillneverend.EightBooksofMiracles1,4St.GermainIofConstantinople(c.700AD):Letdeathpassyouby,0MotherofGod,becausehavebroughtlifetomen.Letthetombpassyouby,becauseyouhavebecauseyouhavebeenmadethefoundationstoneofinexplicablesublimity.Letdustpassyouby;foryouareanewkindofformation,sothatyoumaybemistressoverthoseWhohavebeencorruptedintheverystuffoftheirpotter'sclay....Painfulthoughitbeforthesoultobedrawnawayfromthebody.0MostImmaculateLady,itisfarmorepainfultobedeprivedofyou!SecondSermonontheDormitionoftheBlessedVirginMarySt.JohnofDamascus(725AD):(QuotingfromtheEuthymianHistory,Book3Chapter20)'TheapostleswerepresenttherewhenThomas,theonlyonewhohadbeenabsentarrivedafterthethirdday;sincehewantedtoworshipthebodythathadbeenthetabernacleofGod,theyopenedthecoffin.Andtheywereunableanywheretofindhermostlaudedbody.Whentheyfoundonlyheregravewrappingsthere,andtheindescribableperfumewhichwasbornealoftfromthem,theysealedthecoffin.StruckbythewonderofthemysterytheycouldthinkthatHewhohadbeenpleasedtobecomeincarnatefromherinHisownPersonandtobecomeManandtobebornintheflesh,GodtheWord,theLordofGlory,whopreservedhervirginityintactafterherparturition;Hewaspleasedevenafterherdeparturefromlifetohonorherimmaculateandundefiledbodywithincorruptionandwithtranslationpriortothecommonanduniversalresurrection.'SecondHomilyontheDormitionofMary10,18FromtheCatechismregarding“Mary’sAssumption”:CCC966:"FinallytheImmaculateVirgin,preservedfreefromallstainoforiginalsin,whenthecourseofherearthlylifewasfinished,wastakenupbodyandsoulintoheavenlyglory,andexaltedbytheLordasQueenoverallthings,sothatshemightbethemorefullyconformedtoherSon,theLordoflordsandconquerorofsinanddeath.”TheAssumptionoftheBlessedVirginisasingularparticipationinherSon'sResurrectionandananticipationoftheresurrectionofotherChristians:“Ingivingbirthyoukeptyourvirginity;inyourDormitionyoudidnotleavetheworld,OMotherofGod,butwerejoinedtothesourceofLife.YouconceivedthelivingGodand,byyourprayers,willdeliveroursoulsfromdeath.”