Mary's Faith: Obedience And Modeling Virtue

how does mary model for us the obedience of faith

The Virgin Mary is a model of obedience and faith for all believers. Her fiat, or let it be done in Luke 1:38, demonstrates her complete obedience to God and His will for her. Mary's faith and obedience led to the Incarnation and the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation. She trusted in God's promises, was obedient to His word, and surrendered to His mystery. Mary's example teaches us to be open to the divine will and to submit to lawful authority out of love for God. She also teaches us to magnify the Lord and point others to Him, rather than seeking attention for herself. Mary's faith and obedience extended beyond the Annunciation to Calvary and Pentecost, and she continues to be a beacon of light for those on their spiritual journey.

Characteristics Values
Obedience "Let it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38)
Faith "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)
Trust "Let it be done to me"
Commitment "Let it be done to me"
Humility "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness… Luke 1:46"

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Mary's faith and obedience at the Annunciation

Mary's faith and obedience are foreshadowed in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Genesis, where God says, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers" (Genesis 3:15). Mary, as the "new Eve," untied the knot of Eve's disobedience through her own obedience. As St. Irenaeus says, "being obedient, [Mary] became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race."

Mary's fiat ("let it be done") at the Annunciation was not a one-time act but a continuation of her lifelong "yes" to God's will. Even before the Annunciation, Mary is believed to have pondered the Word of God and the teachings of the Old Testament, preparing herself to be the Mother of God. Her faith and trust in God's promises were unwavering, even in the face of uncertainty and difficulty.

Mary's faith was also characterised by humility. When her cousin Elizabeth greeted her as "blessed among women," Mary immediately turned the attention away from herself and towards God, magnifying His greatness. Her hymn of praise, known as the Magnificat, is a beautiful expression of her humble faith.

Mary's obedience extended beyond the Annunciation. She obeyed her husband, Joseph, even when he made major life decisions based on dreams that may have seemed uncertain. Mary's submission to Joseph demonstrates her complete trust in God and her commitment to following His plan, even when it required uprooting her life and facing challenges.

Through her faith and obedience at the Annunciation and throughout her life, Mary became a cause of salvation for herself and all humanity. Her example teaches us the importance of obedient faith, trust, surrender, and commitment to God's plan, even when it requires sacrifice and perseverance.

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Mary's humility

Mary's Magnificat, or hymn of praise, also reflects her humility. When greeted by her cousin Elizabeth as "blessed among women" (Luke 1:42), Mary redirects the attention away from herself and towards God, magnifying His greatness. Her humble faith constantly leads her to point others towards her divine Son, Jesus.

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Mary's faith in God's plan

Mary's faith is characterised by trust, commitment, obedience, and submission. She trusted in God's promises and was obedient to His word, even when faced with challenges and uncertainties. For example, she followed Joseph, her spouse, when he received messages from an angel in a dream, uprooting her life multiple times (Matthew 1:18-25, 2:13, 2:19-20). Mary's faith in God's plan was so strong that she became a cause of salvation for herself and for humanity, according to St. Irenaeus.

Mary's faith also led her to ponder and reflect on God's word, as seen in Luke 2:19 and Luke 2:51. She treasured her memories of Jesus and passed them on to others (Acts 1:14, 2:2-4). Her Magnificat, or hymn of praise (Luke 1:46-55), is a powerful example of her humble faith, as she gives glory to God and recognises His greatness.

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Mary's perseverance

Mary's faith was tested throughout her journey as the Mother of Jesus. She faced difficulties, witnessed her Son's crucifixion, and experienced the sorrow of seeing Him crucified. Despite these trials, she never faltered in her faith and continued to believe in the fulfilment of God's Word. Mary's perseverance is also seen in her ability to recognise and submit to authority. She followed the guidance of St. Joseph, her spouse, even when he received messages through dreams rather than direct revelations. This demonstrates her humility and obedience, trusting in God's plan even when it was conveyed through others.

Mary's faith and obedience extended beyond her initial response to the angel Gabriel. She faithfully followed Jesus throughout His ministry and remained with Him even at the foot of the cross. Her faith was not passive but active, as she lived out her divine motherhood by supporting and accompanying Jesus in His mission. Mary's perseverance in faith is a model for all believers, as she teaches us to trust in God's faithfulness and to remain steadfast in our commitment to Him, even in times of struggle or uncertainty.

Mary's example of courageous faith is particularly noteworthy. She believed in her Son, Jesus, even when others' faith wavered. She saw Him in the crib at Bethlehem and believed He was the Creator. She saw Him flee from Herod and believed He was the King of kings. Her faith remained firm even when Jesus was crucified, and she stood by Him until the end. Mary's unwavering faith in the face of adversity is an inspiration for all who strive to follow Jesus.

Lastly, Mary's perseverance is seen in her commitment to prayer and her deep relationship with God. She pondered the Word of God, taking to heart the teachings of the Old Testament, and continued to pray and trust in God throughout her life. Her faith was not a passive acceptance but an active and living faith that shaped her thoughts and actions. Mary's example teaches us the importance of a deep prayer life and a constant dialogue with God, seeking to recognise and follow His will.

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Mary's faith in Jesus' divinity

Mary's faith is also seen in her actions throughout her life. She followed Jesus during his preaching ministry and remained with him through his crucifixion. She treasured the memories of Jesus in her heart and passed them on to the Twelve Apostles. Mary's faith in Jesus' divinity was so strong that she became known as the "Mother of God," and the "Mother of our Faith."

Mary's faith was not just a passive belief but an active, living faith. She lived out her faith in her daily life as an ordinary woman, facing the same struggles and challenges as any other person. She is described as a "perfect icon of faith," and her faith in Jesus' divinity was so strong that she became a model and mother for all believers.

Frequently asked questions

Mary's obedience to God's will is significant because it demonstrates her complete trust and submission to God. By obeying God, Mary became a cause of salvation for herself and all of humanity, fulfilling her role in the salvation story as predicted in the Bible.

Mary's obedience to God, even in the face of challenges and uncertainties, serves as an example for us to follow. We too are called to obey God's will and trust in His plan, even when we don't fully understand or when it requires sacrifice and perseverance.

Mary's obedience was characterised by trust, commitment, surrender, and humility. She trusted in God's promises, committed herself to His plan, surrendered to the mystery of His will, and humbly obeyed without seeking personal glory. We should strive to emulate these qualities in our own lives as we seek to follow God's path.

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