Readings: Mary Mother of God|USCCB 

Today, we celebrate Mary as Mother of God, or Theotokos (God-bearer). The notion of a simple girl being the biological parent of God in the flesh stirred up heated debates in the Early Church, ultimately calling into question the true identity of Christ. How could the man that was formed in the womb of Mary also be God?

This is only a problem for those who cannot fathom that God bestows equal dignity on man and woman. In Mary and Jesus, we see the true glory of femininity and masculinity, neither dominating the other. Instead of grasping the fruit as Eve did, disobeying God, Mary humbly received the True Fruit into her Body, responding to His grace. Through her, God willed that the serpent’s head be crushed.

Not only this, but the whole of Mary’s being points to Jesus. Her motherhood demonstrates His perfect and confounding humility. By becoming man and being “born of a woman” (Gal. 4:4) especially in a male-dominated world, He inverts the curse of the Fall: that women would be ruled by men (Gen 3:16). He entrusts Himself to her care, not just as a child, but as man suffering the scorn and reproach of His people. Unlike Adam who blamed the woman, He upholds her by calling her “woman” – not just mother, but as partner in the work of redemption. 
How could she be called any less when even the Creator of the Universe placed Himself in her hands, and does her bidding?

Mary and Jesus are the exemplars of man and woman, the New Adam and the New Eve, undoing the first Adam’s and the first Eve’s “no” by their “yes.” We too, are called to be God-bearers, receiving His presence into our hearts, and sharing what we have received to others. 

Hazel Jordan, ‘19, ‘23 Alumni  

The Campus Ministry Seasonal Reflections are offered during the liturgical seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter. We bring a variety of voices from Students, Faculty and Staff. The perspectives expressed in these reflections are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Campus Ministry.