Sermon Handout 15th August 2010

MARY
MOTHER OF JESUS


‘Together with a radical re-reception of Scripture as the fundamental touchstone of divine revelation, there was a re-reception by the Reformers of the belief that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity. This entailed a rejection of real and perceived abuses surrounding devotion to Mary. It led also to the loss of some positive aspects of devotion and the diminution of her place in the life of the Church.’


The person of Mary, the mother of Jesus has been venerated in many different ways by Christians over two millenia.
In doing so, faith, hope and love has been immensely deepened. However some of these different understandings of Mary have been, and continue to be, sources of division between Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and Pentecostal followers of Christ.
Muslims and Jews have also reflected profoundly on Mary.


What do you understand about Mary,
and what difference can she make to your life?


here are a few ideas for your own reflection,
drawing on the ARCIC statement ‘Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ’ (2005) from which all quotes are taken …
Mary as a ‘model of discipleship’

Saying ‘Yes to God’ (Fiat)
‘Mary stands before us as an exemplar of faithful obedience, (offering)… the grace-filled response each of us is called to make to God, both personally and communally… It is as a figure of the Church, her arms uplifted in prayer and praise, her hands open in receptivity and availability to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that we are one with Mary.’
Read:Luke ch.1 vv.26-38
& Reflect on what God may be calling you to be or do today…

Bearing God (the Theotokos)
‘In the early Church, reflection on Mary served to interpret and safeguard the apostolic Tradition… testimony to Mary as ‘God-bearer’ (Theotókos) emerged from reflection on Scripture and the celebration of Christian feasts, but its development was due chiefly to the early Christological controversies…and their resolution in successive Ecumenical Councils, reflection on Mary’s role in the Incarnation was integral to the articulation of orthodox faith in Jesus Christ, true God and true man. In defence of Christ’s true humanity, and against Docetism, the early Church emphasized Jesus’ birth from Mary. He did not just ‘appear’ to be human; he did not descend from heaven in a ‘heavenly body’, nor when he was born did he simply ‘pass through’ his mother. Rather, Mary gave birth to her son of her own substance.’
Read:Luke ch.2 vv.1-7
& Reflect on the gifts and love of God which you are given and how you can bring them to birth in your life…

Blessed in down-to-earth, ‘incarnate’ loving (Humus)
‘Just as in Elizabeth’s salutation the mother receives a blessing of her own, distinct from that of her child (1:42), so also in the Magnificat Mary predicts that “all generations will call me blessed” (1:48). This text

provides the scriptural basis for an appropriate devotion to Mary, though never in separation from her role as mother of the Messiah.’
Read: Luke ch.1 vv.39-45
& Reflect on how God is blessed in your daily bodily activities…

Praising God in Liberation (Magnificat)
‘Although the witness of her obedience and acceptance of God’s will has sometimes been used to encourage passivity and impose servitude on women, it is rightly seen as a radical commitment to God who has mercy on his servant, lifts up the lowly and brings down the mighty. Issues of justice for women and the empowerment of the oppressed have arisen from daily reflection on Mary’s remarkable song… Only when joy is joined with justice and peace do we rightly share in the economy of hope and grace which Mary proclaims and embodies.’
Read: Luke ch.1 vv.46-55
& Reflect on where God is working among the poor today and how you may support and give thanks for this …

Self-Emptying (Kenosis)
‘Mary epitomizes such participation in the life of God. Her response was not made without profound questioning, and it issued in a life of joy intermingled with sorrow, taking her even to the foot of her son’s cross. When Christians join in Mary’s ‘Amen’ to the ‘Yes’ of God in Christ, they commit themselves to an obedient response to the Word of God, which leads to a life of prayer and service.’
Read: Acts of the Apostles ch.1 vv.12-14
& Reflect on what God may be calling you to

Nurturing new community (Koinonia)
‘These last commands of Jesus before he dies reveal an understanding beyond their primary reference to Mary and “the beloved disciple” as individuals. The reciprocal roles of the ‘woman’ and the ‘disciple’ are related to the identity of the Church. Elsewhere in John, the beloved disciple is presented as the model disciple of Jesus, the one closest to him who never deserted him, the object of Jesus’ love, and the ever-faithful witness (13:25, 19:26, 20:1-10, 21:20-25). Understood in terms of discipleship, Jesus’ dying words give Mary a motherly role in the Church and encourage the community of disciples to embrace her as a spiritual mother.’
Read: John ch.19 vv.25-27
& Reflect on who you can build deeper relationships with and grow in the Christian family …
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ" is the 5th statement of the second phase of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and brings to completion the mandate the Commission was given when it began its work in 1983. The group which agreed the statement was co-chaired by Archbishop Peter Carnley, former Anglican Primate of Australia. Further information about it can be found on the Internet at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/ministry/ecumenical/dialogues/catholic/arcic/index.cfm including a link to the the full text.

‘The scriptural witness summons all believers in every generation to call Mary ‘blessed’; this Jewish woman of humble status, this daughter of Israel living in hope of justice for the poor, whom God has graced and chosen to become the virgin mother of his Son through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. We are to bless her as the ‘handmaid of the Lord’ who gave her unqualified assent to the fulfilment of God’s saving plan, as the mother who pondered all things in her heart.’

Handout compiled by Jonathan Inkpin & Penny Jones
for the parish of Woy Woy 15.8.10