Satan, in the form of a serpent, tempted the first Eve and she in turn led Adam into sin. Nevertheless, Genesis 3:15, speaks of another woman, a new Eve, whose seed would crush the head of the serpent. She cooperates with the new Adam, from the time when he was hidden in her womb to when all is revealed in his crucifixion and resurrection.
Sin and death came into the world from the poisoned fruit of a living tree in the Garden; redemption and eternal life would come in the pierced flesh and spilt blood from the dead tree of the Cross upon the dusty hill of Calvary. Mary says YES, not only at the beginning of the story, but throughout. The greatest human being, apart from the divine person of Christ, is the Virgin Mary. It is for this reason that any perspective which downgrades or impugns female humanity, commits an offense against Mary who is the “honor and glory of our race.”
While Catholics would not go as far as Islamic extremists in retaliating for blasphemy and the mocking of sacred persons; neither should we quietly tolerate without response the profanation of Jesus and Mary. Mary, in particular, is often insulted by secular critics. This attacks all women.
Mary is a special safeguard for the legitimate recognition of women’s rights and gifts.
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