my Articulate Heart

In the Magnificat, Mary proclaims, “For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). At first glance, this declaration might seem puzzling. Unlike many women of her time, Mary had no biological descendants to carry forward her legacy. After all, her son, Jesus, offered His life for humanity and left no children behind. What, then, prompted Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, to proclaim that future generations would bless her name? The key to understanding Mary’s words lies in the events at the foot of the cross. As Jesus hung on Calvary, He entrusted His beloved disciple, John, with the care of His mother. He said to Mary, “Woman, behold, your son!” and to John, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26–27). This was not a mere practical arrangement for Mary’s care. It was a profound spiritual act, establishing Mary as the spiritual mother of all who follow Christ. Interestingly, this scene unfolded with John’s biological mother present. Moreover, Jesus had cousins...

"Then Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." — Luke 1:38 In today’s culture, individualism reigns supreme. Society places immense value on personal freedom and the ability to make choices independently, often rejecting any form of external interference. The rallying cry of "my body, my choice" encapsulates this ethos, particularly when addressing matters of marriage, sexuality, and childbearing. Against this backdrop, the story of Mary, our Blessed Mother, offers a striking contradiction. Her fiat—her wholehearted "yes" to God—reveals a profound and countercultural perspective on freedom and self-giving. When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he brought a divine proposal that would utterly redefine her life. To modern sensibilities, this moment might seem like an intrusion on Mary’s autonomy. Here was a young girl, likely with dreams and pla...