From: bradk%isdgsm@RTSG.MOT.COM (Brad Kaiser)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Subject: Mary & colour blue
Date: 14 Aug 92 18:29:22 GMT
Reply-To: bradk%isdgsm@rtsg.mot.com
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
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              14 Aug 1992 17:50:31 GMT <9208141810.AB11994@motgate.mot.com>

Nancy Tinkham wrote:

>> If one interprets the woman to be Israel, the male child who will rule
>> with an iron scepter would still be identified with Jesus.  As you say,
>> the description of the child uses Messianic language.  While Mary gave
>> birth to Jesus in the literal sense, the nation of Israel gave birth to
>> Jesus in a more figurative sense; this and the imagery of 12 stars are
>> the reasons that many commentators identify the woman with Israel.

>> Within this school of thought, interpretation of the woman after v. 5
>> differs; I've heard Israel, Jewish Christians, and the church given as
>> various interpretations.

I can't find Vernon's address, so I'll reply to this issue on the
list.  (This is mostly a recycling of something I sent Kerry S.
earlier today; hope you don't mind, Kerry!)

Rev 12 is proclaimed in the Mass on various Marian feasts; I believe
(somebody check the Lectionary!) that we will hear it tomorrow, the
Solemnity of the Assumption.

Why do we apply this text to Mary?

Well, v. 5 refers to Jesus, and v. 6 seems to echo the story of
the flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13ff).  Also, v. 17 calls Christians her
offspring; this echoes Jn 19:26-27.

Vernon mentioned that this chapter also refers to the Israel & the
church.  Upon more careful study (i.e., I read the study notes in my
RC Bible!), I agree with this interpretation also.

In other words, John sees Mary, and also sees her as a metaphor for
the faithful people of God, first Israel (to the extent that OT Israel
was faithful!), then the Church.

Catholics exalt Mary above all other mere humans (cf Lk 1), but in a
real sense, she is also "everychristian".  Just as she obeyed God
perfectly, and loved her Son with an undying love, even to the Cross,
so must we.  And, just as she was taken into heaven (by the power of
God) with an incorruptible, glorified body, so we shall be also!

A note on the history of Marian devotion ... I don't know much about
the early history of Marian devotion in the Church, however, here's a
few tidbits:

  * Early Christian graffiti in Roman catacombs refer to Mary.  (The
    catacomb period ended with the Edict of Milan, A.D. 313).

  * Pope St. Siricius wrote a letter to the Bishop of Thessalonika,
    Greece, in A.D. 392, condemning the opinion that Mary had had
    other children and therefore was not a perpetual virgin.

  * For reference, the bishops met in the Council of Hippo in A.D.
    393, and selected a group of Christian devotional writings for
    special sacredness in the universal Church.  They called them "the
    New Testament".

  * The Council of Ephesus, in A.D. 431, decreed that Mary should be
    called the "Theotokos", "God-bearer"; hence, her title in English,
    "Mother of God".


In Christ,

Brad Kaiser
(bradk%isdgsm@rtsg.mot.com)

  "Hatred destroys.  Only love creates."
            -- St. Maximilian Kolbe, shortly before his arrest and
               martyrdom at the hands of the Nazis.