MARY
WHY IS SHE CALLED “MOTHER OF GOD”?
Mary is called “Mother of God” primarily based on the biblical account of Jesus’ divine nature and Mary’s role as his mother. Here’s an overview of the theological reasoning and perspectives:
BIBLICAL REFERENCES
1. Luke 1:43 – “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
2. Luke 1:35 – “And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God.'”
3. Galatians 4:4 – “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.”
4. John 1:1, 14 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
MEANING AND MESSAGE
Mary is called the “Mother of God” (Theotokos in Greek) because she gave birth to Jesus Christ, who is both true God and true man. This title acknowledges the mystery of the Incarnation: Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, took on human flesh and was born of Mary. The term “Mother of God” does not imply that Mary is the mother of the divine nature of Jesus, but rather that the person she bore is God incarnate.
The title “Mother of God” serves to:
1. Affirm Jesus’ full divinity and humanity.
2. Highlight God’s plan of salvation through the Incarnation.
3. Recognize Mary’s unique role in salvation history.
It is crucial to understand that this title does not deify Mary or place her above God. It is a Christological statement about Jesus’ nature rather than a Marian one.
CATHOLIC JUSTIFICATION
Catholics justify the title “Mother of God” based on the following biblical and theological grounds:
1. Jesus’ Divine Nature: The Gospel of John states that “the Word was God” and “the Word became flesh” (Jn 1:1, 14), establishing Jesus’ divinity.
2. Mary’s Motherhood: Luke 1:31-33 describes the angel Gabriel telling Mary she will conceive and give birth to Jesus, who “will be called the Son of the Most High.”
3. Elizabeth’s Greeting: In Luke 1:43, Elizabeth addresses Mary as “the mother of my Lord,” using a term that implies divinity.
OFFICIAL CATHOLIC TEACHINGS
The Catholic Church officially affirms Mary as the “Mother of God” through:
1. The Council of Ephesus (431 AD): Declared Mary as “Theotokos” (God-bearer or Mother of God) to affirm Christ’s divine and human natures.
2. Catechism of the Catholic Church: States that Mary is “truly ‘Mother of God’ since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man.”
3. Papal Declarations: Various popes have reaffirmed this doctrine throughout history.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
– CCC 495: “Called in the Gospels ‘the mother of Jesus,’ Mary is acclaimed by Elizabeth, at the prompting of the Spirit and even before the birth of her son, as ‘the mother of my Lord.’ In fact, the one whom she conceived as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was none other than the Father’s eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church confesses that Mary is truly ‘Mother of God’ (Theotokos).”
– CCC 509: “Mary is truly ‘Mother of God’ since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself.”
VIEWS FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS
1. Eastern Orthodox Church: Fully accepts the title “Mother of God” and uses it frequently in their liturgy and prayers.
2. Protestant Denominations: Views vary widely:
– Some accept the title as theologically correct but rarely use it in practice.
– Others reject it, arguing it overemphasizes Mary’s role or could lead to misunderstanding.
– Many prefer terms like “Mother of Jesus” or “Mother of Christ.”
REFLECTION
The title “Mother of God” for Mary is a profound affirmation of Jesus Christ’s identity as both fully divine and fully human. Rooted in Scripture and upheld by the Catholic Church, this title serves to protect the doctrine of the Incarnation. While other denominations may have different emphases or reservations, the core intent remains to honor the mystery of Christ’s birth and the role of Mary in God’s plan of salvation. Christians should approach this topic with respect for different theological traditions while focusing on the central truth of Christ’s divine and human natures.