Mary is recorded in the Gospel as the mother of Jesus. Is she the mother of other children? The Gospel according to Matthew records persons inquiring about Jesus and saying, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?” Are not his … Continue reading “Mary and Her Children”
Tag: mary
Mary’s Pregnancy
Mary grew up in an extended family. She would have been accustomed to women being pregnant and having children. Women would have had their babies in the home. There was a great intimacy around a girl’s experience of pregnancy. Modern women might experience it as a time of little privacy but Mary would likely have … Continue reading “Mary’s Pregnancy”
Mary and Joseph
That Mary would be taken as a wife was an unquestioned expectation. It was a decision-making process that began long before her consciousness of it. Mary was part of an extended family all living together in attached dwellings. Mary’s whole family would have been involved in the considerations of who would be an appropriate husband. … Continue reading “Mary and Joseph”
Mary of Nazareth
Mary of Nazareth was a young brown skinned peasant girl. She was a hard worker with strong callused hands. Mary was an artisan, a homemaker. She made the clothing she wore from homespun wool or linen, heavy wool for the winter, light wool, linen, for the summer. She wove the clothing herself, sowed it and … Continue reading “Mary of Nazareth”
Pro-Life Christmas: Giving Birth
On this fourth Sunday in Advent we share in the lives of two women, Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, both soon to give birth to sons. In communion with them, we too feel an “infant in (our) womb leap for joy” and we too are “filled with the Spirit.” Together, we wonder “how does this … Continue reading “Pro-Life Christmas: Giving Birth”
A Pro-Life Christmas: Women
The season of Advent has arrived. Advent means arrival and thus during Advent peacemakers prepare with Mary for the arrival of her baby, Jesus. Except that liturgically speaking, based on the usual Gospel readings for the season, we do not. Little attention is given to Mary and instead to John the Baptist. How is it … Continue reading “A Pro-Life Christmas: Women”
Holy Families
The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated with a Gospel message of unity. Mary and Joseph together with their newborn babe have journeyed to the Temple. They have come to give thanks for their child, Jesus. It is one of the few Gospel descriptions with all three together in one story. There, they are … Continue reading “Holy Families”
Arriving to Hail Mother, Full of Grace
In every month, the angel Gabriel is sent from God and arrives at a town called Nazareth, Salem, Ankara, Mumbai to a woman named Mary, Katherine, Zehra, Chunhua. And coming to her, the angel says, “Hail, favored one! God is with you.” But she is troubled at what is said and ponders what sort of … Continue reading “Arriving to Hail Mother, Full of Grace”
Arriving at Communion with a Stranger
It is again the case that an Advent reading preparing us for Jesus’ birth arrival is concerned about another arrival and thus John the Baptist is again emphasized rather than Mary. The Gospel reading finds John the Baptist in conversation with strangers. They seek answers as to who John is and why he witnesses to … Continue reading “Arriving at Communion with a Stranger”
Remarkable Arrival
It is seemingly remarkable that it is not always Jesus’ birth arrival, Advent, that is emphasized in readings during Advent. Leading up to Christmas, it is just as often, if not more often, that Jesus’ arrival into public life is emphasized. One result is a greater emphasis not on Mary but on John the Baptist. … Continue reading “Remarkable Arrival”