Summary of the Week and a Reflection (8th March)

IN SEARCH OF THE PLACE OF MARY IN SALVATION HISTORY AND THE CHURCH

Bro. Robertson Sung  

            Indeed, the search is becoming more interesting. The day’s class focused the “searching telescope” to two important “planets”; namely, Apocryphal writings and African Fathers of the Church which also includes Tertullian. Despite the unbridled fantasies and illusions that colored the apocryphal writings, we have the reason to sieve out elements of truth they have about Mary. Starting from Proto-Gospel of James (most outstanding of the writings), Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, we see certain knowledge on the life of Mary and her involvement in the Salvation history.

            Another important and great contribution on Mary is to be found in the writings and homilies of the great African Fathers like Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Cyprian and Athanasius. Tertullian is also discussed though not an African Father but existed along side with these Fathers.

            Clement of Alexandria enjoyed using the terms “Virgin-Mother” to Mary and again relates it to the Church. For him, the mystery of Mary as Virgin and Mother is a road map to the understanding of the model of the mystery of the Church. As Mary gives birth and nurtures the Son of God, the Church by preaching also gives birth to her own children and nurtures them.

            Origen used the title Theotokos meaning Mary the Mother of God. This was attested by the historians. Also Origen saw in Mary an ever Virgin Mother of God. He insisted that virginity is another aspect of the Motherhood of Mary. If we seek to understand the mystery of virginity in Mary, it may remain an endless investigation since God’s works surpass humans.

Tertullian came in to discuss on Mary; though there is no outstanding new development he made. He only tried to explain the message of the Scripture on Mary which he did with harshness and severity. He interpreted the events of Mary in the Bible poorly and literally. Like the event of “the brothers of Jesus”, he referred to them as real biological sons and biological brothers of Jesus. Despite all these limitations, Tertullian showed a strong belief in Mary and was convinced of her contributions in the salvation history of man. He maintains that it is Mary’s “Yes” that brought salvation to us humans.

            Again comes, Cyprian of Carthage who connected Genesis 3:15 with Isaiah 7:14 in reflecting on Mary. This work he did really helped the Church to continue her reflection in seeing Mary as a woman of Revelation as foretold by the prophets.

The Father of Orthodoxy and a great defender of the Council of Nicaea came up to say that Mary is a Virgin par excellence who is model to be imitated by those committed to virginity. His devotion and personal relationship he had on Mary forced him to declare Mary as “Our Sister”. He also referred to her as Theotokos. Also, he applied the title “Mother of Zion” to Mary.

            But before the class ended, a small discussion on “Mary in the early Church of Rome” was tackled. The assertion was that though the Church of Rome holds the primacy as the see of St Peter’s Successor, it was not the first to start reflection on Mary. In the East, reflection on Mary had since been done and in fact represented in iconography before the Church of West – Rome began. But, above all these, the two churches hold a great regard for Mary and her contributions in the salvation history. Thanks! Br. Robertson K. Sung