23 January 2012: The Virginal Maternity of Mary

The whole of Christ’s life, from the beginning, was a discreet but clear separation from what so deeply determined the meaning of the body in the Old Testament. Almost in contradiction of all the expectations of the Old Testament tradition, Christ was born of Mary. She said clearly of herself at the moment of the Anunciation: “How can this be since I am a virgin?” (Lk 1:34)
‘Mary’s motherhood is virginal’, even though Jesus was born of her as any other human being, like a son from his mother, although his coming into the world was accompanied by the presence of a man who was the spouse of Mary and in the eyes of the law and of men, her husband.
To this virginal motherhood of Mary corresponds the virginal mystery of Joseph, who followed the voice from on high, and did not hesitate to take Mary because ‘it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child’. So the virginal conception and the birth to the world of Jesus were concealed from men. In the eyes of his fellow townsmen at Nazareth he was regarded as the son of the carpenter -- as he was thought, the son of Joseph.
If despite all that, the reality and essential truth of his conception and birth depart in themselves from what in the Old Testament was exclusively in favor of matrimony; and rendered what actually happened incomprehensible and socially disfavored.
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p181

Wonderful obedience of Joseph and Mary
They ‘obeyed blindly’. Their submission was entire and perfect. They did not ask why God did not stop Herod rather than send them into exile. Or if they must be exiled, why not to the country of the Magi instead of to Egypt whose inhabitants were hostile to the people of Israel.
Nor why the order to leave was not given sooner so they can prepare better. God spoke through His delegate; it was enough. Their thoughts focused on obeying what God wills; because He wills it, as He wills it.
They ‘obeyed promptly’. Joseph at once informed Mary of the command “... arose, ... took the Child and His Mother by night, and retired to Egypt” (Mt 2:14).
They ‘obeyed generously’, not a word, nor sign of regret that duty called so abruptly; no anxiety about the future. They knew that with Jesus they would surmount all difficulties. Nothing would be wanting to them.
Let us obey, like Mary and Joseph without wanting to know the reason of a command. If we obey because the reason seems right and useful, we are following our ideas not the will of God.
For yielding our will and liberty, God binds Himself to conduct us to the end of our pilgrimage: heaven. Assured of this Omnipotent help, we will cry -- “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me”. (Phil 4:13)
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp52-4

In Egypt: The virtues of St Joseph
After a long, exhausting journey, Mary and Joseph arrive with the Child in their new country. Joseph began to re-make his life again. He had brought the most important: Jesus, Mary, and a determination to care for them, making every sacrifice.
St Joseph is for us an example of many virtues: of intelligent and rapid obedience, faith, hope, hard work, fortitude. Whenever we suffer contradictions, we should put ourselves in St Joseph’s care, as many saints did.
St Teresa says of his powerful intercession -- “I never remember having entrusted anything ... which he has failed to do. I am amazed by the great favors God has given me through this blessed Saint, the dangers from which he has freed me, both of body and soul. ...
“Our Lord makes us understand that just as he was subject to him on earth ... so in heaven he does whatever Joseph asks. Other persons have also seen this from experience ...” (St Teresa of Avila, “Life”, 6)
The danger passed but Joseph stayed to be faithful to the Angel’s instruction “there remain until I tell you” (cf Mt 2:13). So, he remained patiently without protest, working as if he were never going to leave that foreign land.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:337-8

Holy purity -- indispensable for loving God
“Keep away from fornication ... Your body ... is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God. You are not your own property: you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body for the glory of God.” (cf 1 Cor 6:13-5, 17-20)
The Church is alone in how she teaches about the dignity of the body. “Purity is the glory of the human body before God... the glory of God in the human body.” (John Paul II, “General Audience”, 18 March 1981)
If we are to follow Christ, chastity, outside or within marriage, according to each one’s state, is absolutely necessary. It demands our personal struggle and effort, together with God’s grace. The wounds of original sin ‘in our intellect, our will, our passions and affections’ did not disappear with its guilt when we were baptised.
Holy purity, part of the virtue of temperance, joyfully inclines us to moderate our use of the reproductive faculty, according to the light of reason, helped by faith. (cf St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, II-II, 151, 2, 1) Its opposite, ‘licentiousness’, destroys a person’s dignity, weakens the will towards good, and dulls the understanding in its yearning to know and love God.
The essence of chastity is love. We turn to Mary, “Mother of Fair Love” (Sir 24:24), because she creates within the soul of a Christian the elegance and tenderness which enable the virtue of holy purity to grow.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:46-7, 51

• Sincerity -- “You were reading in that dictionary the synonyms for insincere: ‘two-faced, surreptitious, evasive, disingenuous, sly’. As you closed the book, you asked the Lord that nobody should ever be able to apply those adjectives to you, and you resolved to improve much more in this supernatural and human virtue of sincerity.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 337)
“... Mary will obtain for us the courage to be sincere, if we ask her for it, so that we may come closer to the Most Blessed Trinity.” (“Ibid, op cit”, 339)

• Betrothal of Our Lady, according to the ritual of Arras, [France]. This feast began to be celebrated in the year 1556. (Bethlehem Observer Historical Calendar)

• Espousals of Our Lady (custom of Arras, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Espousals of Our Lady. Arras, France. Approved by Pope Paul III, 1546. ["Betrothal of Our Lady, according to ritual of Arras. Feast began to be celebrated in 1556. (Monumenta Ecclesiae Atrebatensus.)"]
• Espousal, the Virgin Mary (approved by Pope Paul III 1546) (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady’s Espousals, approved by Pope Paul III (1546). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html)
(www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html);
• Commemoration of Mary's Marriage to Saint Joseph. (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Exile (Portugal) maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Nuestra Señora de la Antigua. Chiriri, Tunja, Panama. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Ina Poon Bato”. Zambales, Philippines. 23-24 January. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)