. .
Wrapped in Silence
Fr. Clifford M. Laube, SMM
Mary, Wrapped in Silence
T HE well-instructed Catholic who is familiar with the biblical references to the Blessed Virgin Mary and who is equally conversant with her prominent role in the drama of redemption finds no problem at all in regard to Our Lady and Sacred Scripture.
For non-Catholic Christians, however, there appears a serious problem. The problem is perhaps the greatest hindrance to their acknowledgment of Our Lady’s extraordinary prerogatives and her essential role in our soul-life. This problem is the discrepancy they perceive between the alleged dearth of biblical information about Our Lady and the tremendous influence she now bears on Catholic theology and life. In those religious circles where tradition is denied its place as part of Divine Revelation, and where the covers of the Bible are the limits of a sect’s creed and cult, Our Lady is often denied the special prerogatives which Catholics love to honor in her. Her glorious privileges are dismissed as biblically unfounded innovations.
Mary’s Privileges
Such should not be the case. Although it is true that many Catholic beliefs concerning the Mother of God depend largely upon Tradition, it is equally true that Mary’s eminent sanctity and transcendent excellence as well as the basic reasons for her importance to us, are clearly declared by the Evangelists.
Actually the Sacred Writers are far from silent about Our Lady. In the simplest words they proclaim her as the “Mother of Jesus.” That alone would have been enough. For the Mother of Jesus must be the Mother of God. Otherwise, Christ is no more than a deceiver, and the Scriptures are a written lie. And if Mary is the Mother of God, why is she not universally honored as such? Can any praise be fitting for such a creature? Can any human homage do justice to this masterpiece of the Divine Wisdom and Omnipotence Who has hidden in that humble maiden treasures of grace that we cannot even imagine, and secrets of love which we will ever be unable to penetrate?
It would be enough indeed that Mary is proclaimed the Mother of Jesus. But there is more – much more.
Mary’s Presence At The Three Most Important Events in History
Mary is spoken of in the accounts of three of the most important events in the history of our redemption. Her presence and significant role are clearly recorded at the Incarnation, the Nativity, and the Death of Our Divine Saviour.
Her part in the Incarnation is a prominent one indeed. For it was Mary’s womb that God had predestined to become the Tabernacle of the Saviour. It was in her immaculate bosom that the Heavenly King sought His repose. In her as He silently entered the shrine of her unbroken flesh. That very entrance of the Almighty depended upon her free consent requested by an arch-angel of the heavenly court. And upon that consent, which was given so generously, depended also the salvation of the soul of every Christian.
Virgin and Child: Spanish Painter: Bartolomé Estebán Murillo: 1670s
This painting is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York.
For non-Catholic Christians, however, there appears a serious problem. The problem is perhaps the greatest hindrance to their acknowledgment of Our Lady’s . . . essential role in our soul-life. This problem is the discrepancy they perceive between the alleged dearth of biblical information about Our Lady and the tremendous influence she now bears on Catholic theology and life. In those religious circles where tradition is denied its place as part of Divine Revelation, . . . Our Lady is often denied the special prerogatives which Catholics love to honor in her. Her glorious privileges are dismissed as biblically unfounded . . .
Return to The Queen Articles
Mary and the Incarnation, the Nativity, and the Death of Our Divine Saviour
Mary’s role in the Birth of Christ, according to the Evangelists, is like-wise momentous. This is the moment the world had long awaited. This is the holy and blessed Nativity, which puts to flight the ancient sin, and which brings to the world a new sanctity. And who is she that brought forth this First-born Son? Who is she that wrapped Him in swaddling clothes? And, who is she that laid Him in a manger? Who is she whom the shepherds found with the Infant? Luke tells us. It was the ever blessed Virgin Mary. Mary gave birth to the Saviour of Mankind, Almighty God Himself. Our Lady brought forth Life as Eve brought forth death to the world. Mary, in giving life to the Author of Life, has given Life to each one of us.
Finally, the Evangelists speak of Our Lady’s role at Calvary where she was present in order that Jesus Christ might make with her but one same sacrifice, and be immolated to the Eternal Father by her consent. “And there stood by the cross of Jesus, His Mother”. Mary’s spiritual maternity over the souls of the elect is here forcefully accentuated as the dying Saviour looks down at the disciple John and whispers, “Behold Thy Mother“.
Thus Mary’s part in the milestones of Christ’s redemptive journey on earth is clearly brought out by the Sacred Writers. The aim of the Evangelists was simply to recount the story of redemption. They referred, then, to Mary, to the Apostles, even to Christ Himself only insofar as such references fitted in with their account.
Silent Parts of Mary’s Life
If then the Evangelists are silent in regard to many unnecessary details of Our Lady’s life, we should not find it strange. Such details have no direct bearing upon the drama that is presented in the New Testament. Nor can it be concluded from this dearth of finer information about Our Lady that her role in the Christian dispensation is an insignificant one.
In the first place, we have shown that there is ample reference to Our Lady’s role in the great events of Our Lord’s life. Secondly, such a conclusion is untenable for the reasons mentioned above, namely, that such unnecessary details were outside the scope of the Evangelists. Consequently their absence from the Sacred Text proves nothing in regard to Our Lady’s importance.
If such a conclusion were lawful, one could hold with similar logical impunity, that Marcus Tullius Cicero was of negligible importance and oratorical stature because the finer points of his life and career are over-looked in Shakespeare’s drama, Julius Caesar! The fact of the matter is that Cicero enters the plot of the tragedy only where his entrance has some bearing on that plot. Any other details about Cicero’s life are out of place. And their absence is not in the least prejudicial to the importance and historical stature of Rome’s greatest orator.
The case is similar in regard to the Blessed Virgin. Where she is intimately connected with the purpose of the Evangelists, she is mentioned. On the other hand, where the events of her life have no direct bearing upon the scope of the Gospels, they are simply omitted.
Mary’s Privileges and Graces
Consequently, there is no problem at all in regard to Our Lady and the Scriptures. The great essential doctrine of Mariology, Our Lady’s Divine Maternity, is clearly announced by the Evangelists. “From this sublime office of the Mother of God,” writes Pius XII. In his Marian encyclical ’Fulgens Corona‘, “seem to flow, as it were from a most limpid hidden source, all the privileges and graces with which her soul and life were adorned in such extraordinary manner and measure.” Down through the ages of Christian tradition, the Fathers of the Church have developed the essentials of Mary’s life and cult. Their unanimous agreement on many of Our Lady’s prerogatives has moved the Church to define certain of them as divinely revealed. Ultimately, however, Mary’s great privileges of grace trace themselves back to the Ancient Church. They are found, at least basically, on the inspired pages of Holy Writ.
