10 | February | 2015 | Blogger Priest

Question: Where Do I Find Mary in the Bible?

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Father Joe

Laura writes:

Where do I find Mary’s role in the Bible— what Scriptures? I haven’t found them. I hope it’s not made up by the aimless traditions of our fathers. Oh, I did find that we are not to pray to dead— would MARY be any different? Please help me understand.

FATHER JOE:

Do you really want to understand, Laura? Then you need to do a lot more study. Catholicism was preaching the Gospel before we even had a New Testament or a canonical Bible. Sacred Tradition was not a gift that Christ gave the Church and then took away. Similarly, he gave us shepherds who speak in his name and who interpret the truths from the deposit of faith. Not all traditions are aimless, but some have their source in Christ, the apostles and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Catholicism speaks of two fonts to revelation: Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture. There are Marian teachings that emerge both from the Bible and Tradition. These two elements are not in conflict. Indeed, the New Testament Gospels emerged from the oral tradition. The Bible and the Church forbid seeking two-way communication with the dead as in occult practices. However, we are not forbidden to request their intercession (the saints) or to pray for them (souls in purgatory). Praying for the dead as we see in 2nd Maccabees was within Jewish practice and the Church continued it. Indeed, the mystery of the redemption and resurrection would give it an increased intensity. As for Mary, there are good books available and a number of informative posts at this blog site:

Posts about the Virgin Mary (click here)

Here are some scripture quotes that refer to the Mother of God.

The devil hates her and he stands against her. Do you?
Genesis 3:15
Revelation 12:17

God makes her the virgin mother.
Isaiah 7:14

Mary is “full of grace,” even prior to the coming of Christ.
Luke 1:26-28

Her presence with Christ in the womb awakened the Spirit in others:
Luke 1:41

The first half of the Hail Mary prayer comes from Scripture.
Luke 1:42

Mary is truly the Mother of God, mother of the whole person of her child.
Luke 1:43

Mary is without sin and calls Christ her Savior even at the annunciation (present tense).
Luke 1:47

Mary will always be called blessed among women.
Luke 1:48

God has miraculously and uniquely intervened in her life.
Luke 1:49

Mary will receive our many prayers. She will suffer much in solidarity with her Son for our sake.
Luke 2:34-35