The Impossible Becomes Possible! - By Juan Rodriguez
I received a gift one day from a good friend. Name is not important but this gift was rather a strange one. She sent me a hand drawn picture of our Lady looking upon her baby Jesus. Mind you, she was Protestant, so the gift threw me for a loop. 
However, I could not help but stare at the image, because it showed the deep relationship between Mary and her son Jesus. Mary looks with her gentle eyes upon her sweet son, as Jesus stares in complete joy at his beloved Mother. They both concentrate on each other, showing the viewer the natural and supernatural union between Mother and Son.
Although, this may be a reality for Catholic Christians, it is not so with our Brother’s and Sister’s in different denominations. They would not agree fully to this mysterious union. For them it is “impossible.” They would not find it strange for God to come through a woman, but for her to be His Mother? It is absolutely impossible. But for the Catholic Church, there is no impossibilities!
Impossibilities become reality! Today, many Christian denominations say, “Mary couldn’t have given birth to the Son of God, rather, she gave birth to Jesus’ flesh.” Others would argue that Mary’s womb was chosen solely for the birth of Christ, as though she was a vessel to be used and then thrown to the side. But I put forth this question for Catholics and Protestant Christians to reflect on. If we as Christian’s believe Jesus to be both God and Man, as St. Athanasius spoke of Jesus “God from God, light from light, true God from true God (Nicene Creed),” then how can we deny the reality of God choosing Mary to be Mother of His Son, who is God Incarnate. Even the famous Anti-Catholic, Tony Alamo makes foolish remarks to this reality, titling his work “God has no Mother.” This and many other Anti-Catholic writings on the Motherhood of Mary, has caused many to look at Mary as only a person like you and I, rather then a chosen vessel of holiness.
Can Protestants like Tony Alamo, be right? Are they paying close attention to the Word of God? Well let us see what the Sacred Scriptures tell us of the Impossible becoming the Possible:
In the book of Genesis, God visited Abraham and Sarah. The three Angels brought the message to Abraham that his wife will be with child (Genesis 18:9-15). Sarah laughed because both of them were very old. But the Angel of the Lord spoke for God saying, “Is there anything that is impossible with God?” Later the Angel’s word came true as she named her son, Isaac, which is the abbreviated form of Yishaq-el, “God Smiles.” The etymology of this abbreviated name is Sahaq, which means “to laugh or play.” She laughed because she doubted the word of the Lord. Later Sarah realized the truth in the message. Her doubt became joy, because she received the gift to be a mother.
How about Elizabeth, who was barren as well? Was it not an angel who visited
Zechariah, while he was preparing to burn incense in the sanctuary of the Lord. The Angel announced to him the good news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. He did not believe it, and so the angel silenced him until the day came when John was born (Luke 1: 5-23; 1:57-62). If you look at the name John, in the Hebrew it means “God has bestowed favor upon you.” It was this favor that Elizabeth received in her old age, the grace to be a mother.
Now the same angel who visited Zechariah came to visit Mary, to announce the coming of God through her very being. Mary did not doubt, but she was confused, wondering what it truly meant. The angel comforts her with the words, “ Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you.” The Angel’s name was Gabriel, which meant in the Hebrew, “God is Strong,” a name that truly speaks for itself. God conquers all fear! He said to her, that “The Holy Spirit” will over shadow her, and her child will be called Son of God. The Angel ends with confirming the pregnancy of Elizabeth to prove God’s grace is abounding. If the reader looks carefully, the Angel says, “With God nothing is impossible.” With this, she submits to the will of the Lord, saying, “Let it be done to me according to your word. (Luke 1:26-38)”
Are we to be doubting Thomas’ like our Protestant Brother’s and Sister’s? I think not! For we as Catholics truly believe in what Sacred Scripture says. Protestants would tell us we do not follow the Bible! How can this be when we as Catholics know what God is doing in the Sacred Scriptures.
We also see in Scripture that Mary went to aid Elizabeth in the birth of John. Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, as she entered the house. Elizabeth shouted with joy upon hearing the greeting, because the baby leapt in her womb. It was the Holy Spirit who entered into Elizabeth, as she cried out, “You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? (Luke 1:42-43)”
The Truth is said through the lips of Elizabeth, “My Lord”, and at the same time, praises Mary for believing in the “Lord’s Word.” This same Spirit moved Peter’s heart to believe and proclaim Jesus as “Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:13-17). Jesus, Himself, confirms this to be from His Father, the same Lord Elizabeth gave praise too.
Now should Tony Alamo and many Protestants deny what the Holy Spirit proclaimed,
and what Jesus confirmed, they would doubt the belief of the Bible as the only Authority to the Truth. They not only opened the door to their errors, but they slammed it shut and threw the key under the door. We only pray that Jesus will open the door to their confusion and set them free to the Light of Truth.
Lastly, would God treat His bride the Church like a toy, created for one purpose, and then dispose of her when she completes her work on earth. I think not, and many Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, would agree. So if He would not abandon His Bride the Church, then why would He abandon Mary? The Church is an exact Image of Mary. The Church carries Jesus - so did Mary (For 40 weeks I might say). The Church gives Jesus to the world - so did Mary. To imagine God treating Mary like an object rather then a person would lead believers to see God as a ruthless Husband, like husbands who treat their wives like trash. We, both Catholic and Protestant Christians, believe that God’s plan is to make a Kingdom of Family. How can you have a family if the Husband is not being a good father, or Wife a good mother? The family would fall apart. But reflect with me on this point in Scripture. The Holy Spirit proclaimed the truth of Mary’s Motherhood through Elizabeth. Mary filled with joy and gladness, praises her Husband, the third Person of the Trinity, in total love and adoration. At the same time, the Holy Spirit holds Mary in glory and praises her as His most beloved Bride. God is definitely in love with His creation and He’s not embarrassed (like some men would be) to say, “this is my wife, the Mother of my Beloved Son.” Tell me what man or woman, in this day an age, would give such praise-- a human praise of love and commitment to each other. If men want to be good husbands and love the Lord, look to the Holy Spirit to be a true Husband. If woman want to be great wives, look to Mary, she is the perfect Wife and Mother. This truly is the image of Personal Relationship with our Lord and Savior, unthinkable to the human mind, but possible with God!
I would like to dedicate this article to my own mother, who gave me life. During my studies on the subject of Mary’s Motherhood, I asked my Mom about my birth. While she was ironing she told me that the doctor spoke with her about not having another child. She had suffered a miscarriage and had David (my brother). To have another child would bring complications to her body and to the child. She did not listen to the doctor, but placed all her trust on the Lord. That’s how I came into the world, through a wonderful, hopeful, and gentle mother. I reflect on my name, which is John, and wonder why my Mom gave me this name. Truly God has bestowed favor on my mother for trusting the Lord as He blessed Elizabeth too. To give birth to a child is truly a gift of the vocation of Motherhood. When I look at Mary in the picture I was given, and reflect on the Magnificat, I can’t help to see Mary’s praise to her Lord for this Grace to be Mother of God. It is her Motherhood that Magnifies True Grace, which is Jesus Christ. This for me is Possibility!
Check out our article on Holy Day's Of Obligation
This article was updated - It was published through The Defender news letter.
However, I could not help but stare at the image, because it showed the deep relationship between Mary and her son Jesus. Mary looks with her gentle eyes upon her sweet son, as Jesus stares in complete joy at his beloved Mother. They both concentrate on each other, showing the viewer the natural and supernatural union between Mother and Son.Although, this may be a reality for Catholic Christians, it is not so with our Brother’s and Sister’s in different denominations. They would not agree fully to this mysterious union. For them it is “impossible.” They would not find it strange for God to come through a woman, but for her to be His Mother? It is absolutely impossible. But for the Catholic Church, there is no impossibilities!
Impossibilities become reality! Today, many Christian denominations say, “Mary couldn’t have given birth to the Son of God, rather, she gave birth to Jesus’ flesh.” Others would argue that Mary’s womb was chosen solely for the birth of Christ, as though she was a vessel to be used and then thrown to the side. But I put forth this question for Catholics and Protestant Christians to reflect on. If we as Christian’s believe Jesus to be both God and Man, as St. Athanasius spoke of Jesus “God from God, light from light, true God from true God (Nicene Creed),” then how can we deny the reality of God choosing Mary to be Mother of His Son, who is God Incarnate. Even the famous Anti-Catholic, Tony Alamo makes foolish remarks to this reality, titling his work “God has no Mother.” This and many other Anti-Catholic writings on the Motherhood of Mary, has caused many to look at Mary as only a person like you and I, rather then a chosen vessel of holiness.
Can Protestants like Tony Alamo, be right? Are they paying close attention to the Word of God? Well let us see what the Sacred Scriptures tell us of the Impossible becoming the Possible:In the book of Genesis, God visited Abraham and Sarah. The three Angels brought the message to Abraham that his wife will be with child (Genesis 18:9-15). Sarah laughed because both of them were very old. But the Angel of the Lord spoke for God saying, “Is there anything that is impossible with God?” Later the Angel’s word came true as she named her son, Isaac, which is the abbreviated form of Yishaq-el, “God Smiles.” The etymology of this abbreviated name is Sahaq, which means “to laugh or play.” She laughed because she doubted the word of the Lord. Later Sarah realized the truth in the message. Her doubt became joy, because she received the gift to be a mother.
How about Elizabeth, who was barren as well? Was it not an angel who visited
Zechariah, while he was preparing to burn incense in the sanctuary of the Lord. The Angel announced to him the good news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. He did not believe it, and so the angel silenced him until the day came when John was born (Luke 1: 5-23; 1:57-62). If you look at the name John, in the Hebrew it means “God has bestowed favor upon you.” It was this favor that Elizabeth received in her old age, the grace to be a mother.Now the same angel who visited Zechariah came to visit Mary, to announce the coming of God through her very being. Mary did not doubt, but she was confused, wondering what it truly meant. The angel comforts her with the words, “ Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you.” The Angel’s name was Gabriel, which meant in the Hebrew, “God is Strong,” a name that truly speaks for itself. God conquers all fear! He said to her, that “The Holy Spirit” will over shadow her, and her child will be called Son of God. The Angel ends with confirming the pregnancy of Elizabeth to prove God’s grace is abounding. If the reader looks carefully, the Angel says, “With God nothing is impossible.” With this, she submits to the will of the Lord, saying, “Let it be done to me according to your word. (Luke 1:26-38)”
Are we to be doubting Thomas’ like our Protestant Brother’s and Sister’s? I think not! For we as Catholics truly believe in what Sacred Scripture says. Protestants would tell us we do not follow the Bible! How can this be when we as Catholics know what God is doing in the Sacred Scriptures.
We also see in Scripture that Mary went to aid Elizabeth in the birth of John. Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, as she entered the house. Elizabeth shouted with joy upon hearing the greeting, because the baby leapt in her womb. It was the Holy Spirit who entered into Elizabeth, as she cried out, “You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? (Luke 1:42-43)”
The Truth is said through the lips of Elizabeth, “My Lord”, and at the same time, praises Mary for believing in the “Lord’s Word.” This same Spirit moved Peter’s heart to believe and proclaim Jesus as “Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:13-17). Jesus, Himself, confirms this to be from His Father, the same Lord Elizabeth gave praise too.
Now should Tony Alamo and many Protestants deny what the Holy Spirit proclaimed,
and what Jesus confirmed, they would doubt the belief of the Bible as the only Authority to the Truth. They not only opened the door to their errors, but they slammed it shut and threw the key under the door. We only pray that Jesus will open the door to their confusion and set them free to the Light of Truth.
Lastly, would God treat His bride the Church like a toy, created for one purpose, and then dispose of her when she completes her work on earth. I think not, and many Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, would agree. So if He would not abandon His Bride the Church, then why would He abandon Mary? The Church is an exact Image of Mary. The Church carries Jesus - so did Mary (For 40 weeks I might say). The Church gives Jesus to the world - so did Mary. To imagine God treating Mary like an object rather then a person would lead believers to see God as a ruthless Husband, like husbands who treat their wives like trash. We, both Catholic and Protestant Christians, believe that God’s plan is to make a Kingdom of Family. How can you have a family if the Husband is not being a good father, or Wife a good mother? The family would fall apart. But reflect with me on this point in Scripture. The Holy Spirit proclaimed the truth of Mary’s Motherhood through Elizabeth. Mary filled with joy and gladness, praises her Husband, the third Person of the Trinity, in total love and adoration. At the same time, the Holy Spirit holds Mary in glory and praises her as His most beloved Bride. God is definitely in love with His creation and He’s not embarrassed (like some men would be) to say, “this is my wife, the Mother of my Beloved Son.” Tell me what man or woman, in this day an age, would give such praise-- a human praise of love and commitment to each other. If men want to be good husbands and love the Lord, look to the Holy Spirit to be a true Husband. If woman want to be great wives, look to Mary, she is the perfect Wife and Mother. This truly is the image of Personal Relationship with our Lord and Savior, unthinkable to the human mind, but possible with God!
I would like to dedicate this article to my own mother, who gave me life. During my studies on the subject of Mary’s Motherhood, I asked my Mom about my birth. While she was ironing she told me that the doctor spoke with her about not having another child. She had suffered a miscarriage and had David (my brother). To have another child would bring complications to her body and to the child. She did not listen to the doctor, but placed all her trust on the Lord. That’s how I came into the world, through a wonderful, hopeful, and gentle mother. I reflect on my name, which is John, and wonder why my Mom gave me this name. Truly God has bestowed favor on my mother for trusting the Lord as He blessed Elizabeth too. To give birth to a child is truly a gift of the vocation of Motherhood. When I look at Mary in the picture I was given, and reflect on the Magnificat, I can’t help to see Mary’s praise to her Lord for this Grace to be Mother of God. It is her Motherhood that Magnifies True Grace, which is Jesus Christ. This for me is Possibility!
Check out our article on Holy Day's Of Obligation
This article was updated - It was published through The Defender news letter.
posted by Arthanius | 11:58 PM
1 Comments:
What a beautiful way to honor our Blessed Mother and to show God's love for her. I feel so blessed to have her as my mother. I am saddened for our Protestant brothers and sisters who don't recognize the power of her intercession. I've had discussions with some Protestant friends of mine and I've tried to explain that it's not that Mary has any "Power" in the way that God does. We are not looking to her to answer our petitions on her own. She is a prayer warrior for us. She intercedes for us in the same way she interceded at the wedding in Cana. She has a firm faith that Jesus will respond because she knows His Goodness and Mercy in a way that no one else does. Her faith in Jesus is where the power of her intercession lies.
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