When it comes to Catholic
faith, Mary cannot be left out of it. We honor her as our own spiritual mother.
It is said that in our culture, we Filipinos are very close to our mothers that
is why we are that close to Mary. Many denominations contradict our calling her
the “Mother of God.”
The title "Mother of God" refers to the indisputable fact that Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is God. The title of Theotokos, a Greek word which means "God-bearer," was used by the early Church to protect the full doctrine of the divinity of Jesus, since in the first few centuries some were arguing that Mary was the mother of Jesus' human nature only.
But human mothers cannot give birth to just the body. They give birth to both the body and soul. Mary gave birth to Jesus both human and divine. But this didn't mean that this made her a goddess nor that she gave divinity to the being of Jesus.
Mary is called the "Mother of Jesus, who is God." As Bro. Gio explained, our speaker in our Biblical and Catechetical Apologetics, it's like Corazon Aquino is the mother of Noynoy Aquino, who is now the President of the Philippines. Presidency is the highest position in democratic countries. Being the mother of the president, didn't make Corazon Aquino the Philippine President nor did she gave Noynoy Aquino the position to be president, nor this didn't make her greater or higher than the president of the country. She was, as the title stated, the mother of the President of the Philippines and people gives respect to her, they honor her because of this.
There is no doubt that Mary is the Mother of Jesus. Others may ask if we could find these very words in the Bible? No, but so are the terms "Bible" and "Trinity," and yet we call the Scriptures the "Bible" and we believe in the "Holy Trinity". Mary being the Mother of God was clearly stated in concept in the Scriptures:
JOHN 2:1 (GNT)
Two days later there was a wedding in the town of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there,
MATTHEW 1:18 (GNT)
This was how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother Mary was
engaged to Joseph...
MATTHEW 2:11 (GNT)
They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary,
they knelt down and worshiped him.....
MATTHEW 12:46 (GNT)
Jesus was still talking to the people when his mother and brothers arrived...
MATTHEW 13:55 (GNT)
Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't Mary his mother...
LUKE 1:43 (GNT)
Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me?
Luke 1:31-35 further proves the motherhood of Mary to Jesus. The title "Mother of God" belonged to Mary because she is the "Mother of Jesus, who is God." Calling her this wouldn't make her God or greater than God, but she deserved to be given due respect and honor.
SOURCES:
- The One Minute Apologist by Dave Armstrong, pp. 108 - 109
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 495 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p2.htm#II
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 2677 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s1c2a2.htm
Related Topic:
- Why do Catholics call Mary the "Queen of Heaven?" http://iamacatholicbyheart.blogspot.com/2012/08/why-do-catholics-call-mary-queen-of.html
- What is the Difference Between "Worship," "Adoration" and "Veneration"? http://iamacatholicbyheart.blogspot.com/2012/08/what-is-difference-between-worship.html
For Additional Insights, Visit:
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 495 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p2.htm#II
Mother of my God, I venerate you. You are my Mother too. Thank you.
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