MARY AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

One of the chief failures of non-Catholics is to assume  that Marian devotion is not focused on Jesus. In fact, the entire focus IS Christological! Catholics are often insulted by this question and frequently refuse to answer it on that account. A non-response, however, is not helpful for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it is an extremely important question; the answer to which determines whether or not one is a Christian. The teaching of the Church is clear: Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and man. No other person in heaven or on earth can take His place. The role of Mary or any other saint is to lead the believer to Christ. This subordinate form of mediation derives its meaning and effectiveness from the Lord Himself and is not something the saints possess on their own. Where, then, does Mary fit into the picture? Throughout the New Testament one finds references to Mary. In fact, at every significant juncture in our Lord's life, one finds Mary on the horizon. When God began His plan for our redemption, He sent to Nazareth an angel, who hailed a woman as "highly favoured" or "full of grace" to be the human partner in this divine enterprise (cf Lk 1:28).  When the Babe was born in Bethlehem, He came forth into our world not from heaven but from the womb of the Virgin Mary (cf Mt 1:25; Lk 2:7). As the Child was presented to the Lord in the Temple of Jerusalem on the fortieth day, the old prophet Simeon singled out His Mother Mary for special mention as a woman destined to be the Mother of Sorrows (cf Lk 2:35).  Twelve years later, after another temple visit, the Boy Jesus returned with His Mother and foster father to Nazareth and was subject to them (cf Lk 2:51). It was Mary who prodded her Son into action at Cana to work His first miracle, launching Him on His public ministry (cf Jn 2:3). And it was Mary who stood by His side at the foot of the Cross and was given to John as the Mother of the Church (cf Jn 19:26f). Finally, as the Church was waiting to be born in the Upper Room, while the disciples prayed for the Pentecost gift of the Spirit, Luke tells us that Mary was in their midst (cf Acts 1:14). Prayer to Mary, like all Marian devotion, is not an end in itself, but is intended to be a means by which one is led to a deeper union with her Son. Classical spirituality even had a Latin maxim to illustrate the point: Ad Jesum per Mariam (To Jesus through Mary). True devotion to Mary never obscures the uniqueness of Christ because the only command of Mary recorded in the Scriptures is one that must be scrupulously obeyed: "Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you" (Jn 2:5).