On MARY
Notes from a speech given by Kathleen Nielson on December 10, 2005
by Dawn Darby, edited by Jim Irwin.
Why is Mary called "blessed" in Luke ch.1?
Mary's blessing is intimately connected to her regard for God's Word.
Our God is a God of words. In the beginning God speaks.
Niel Nielson says, "We're not carnivores or herbivores, we are verbivores."
We are word creatures, like our Creator.
Mary was young, but she understood the importance of words.
Mary was "greatly troubled at the saying"; she took words seriously. She believed that the angel's words were true. Mary's question, "How will this be?" showed curiosity as to the method of the Great Event to be accomplished because she believed. Contrast this question to Zechariah's response; he too was troubled when he saw the angel. He wondered what the angel's word meant to him when he said, "How shall I know this?" [Zechariah let the reality of his and his wife's advanced age (never mind the story of Abraham and Sarah) get in the way of his faith.] Mary was troubled at the words because she believed them. In Luke 1:42ff, Elizabeth blesses Mary for believing the word that was spoken to her. So important is the Word that when later in Luke a woman cries out to Jesus, "blessed is the woman who bore you..." Jesus answers, "Yes, but rather blessed is the one who hears my words and keeps them."
Women these days are very concerned with identity; our thinking is shaped by our culture, but Mary offers a lesson on how to get our identity straight, "I am a servant of the Lord." And then she says, "...let it be to me..."; this is submission. If we could get our identities straight, our lives would be so much simpler.
Mary's words in the Magnificat directly echo many Old Testament passages. It is saturated with God's word; and so it is beautiful. We know the words were inspired by the Holy Spirit, but her mind and heart were involved also. Her song doesn't just focus on herself, but is large and includes Gods whole family.
Also, look at Elizabeth and Mary together. Their meeting was filled with joy. "And the baby (John) leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb.
What was Mary's blessing?
It was believing the word of God.
Mary was an ordinary woman who so filled herself with God's word that God was able to use her in extraordinary ways.
by Dawn Darby, edited by Jim Irwin.
Why is Mary called "blessed" in Luke ch.1?
Mary's blessing is intimately connected to her regard for God's Word.
Our God is a God of words. In the beginning God speaks.
Niel Nielson says, "We're not carnivores or herbivores, we are verbivores."
We are word creatures, like our Creator.
Mary was young, but she understood the importance of words.
Mary was "greatly troubled at the saying"; she took words seriously. She believed that the angel's words were true. Mary's question, "How will this be?" showed curiosity as to the method of the Great Event to be accomplished because she believed. Contrast this question to Zechariah's response; he too was troubled when he saw the angel. He wondered what the angel's word meant to him when he said, "How shall I know this?" [Zechariah let the reality of his and his wife's advanced age (never mind the story of Abraham and Sarah) get in the way of his faith.] Mary was troubled at the words because she believed them. In Luke 1:42ff, Elizabeth blesses Mary for believing the word that was spoken to her. So important is the Word that when later in Luke a woman cries out to Jesus, "blessed is the woman who bore you..." Jesus answers, "Yes, but rather blessed is the one who hears my words and keeps them."
Women these days are very concerned with identity; our thinking is shaped by our culture, but Mary offers a lesson on how to get our identity straight, "I am a servant of the Lord." And then she says, "...let it be to me..."; this is submission. If we could get our identities straight, our lives would be so much simpler.
Mary's words in the Magnificat directly echo many Old Testament passages. It is saturated with God's word; and so it is beautiful. We know the words were inspired by the Holy Spirit, but her mind and heart were involved also. Her song doesn't just focus on herself, but is large and includes Gods whole family.
Also, look at Elizabeth and Mary together. Their meeting was filled with joy. "And the baby (John) leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb.
What was Mary's blessing?
It was believing the word of God.
Mary was an ordinary woman who so filled herself with God's word that God was able to use her in extraordinary ways.
posted by Mad Russian the Natural Philosopher | 2:12 PM
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