10 FACTS ABOUT MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD - Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kwofie
The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to ask her if she would become the Mother of God.
With only one question needing to be answered, not because she lacked faith, but because she simply did not understand how the incarnation would happen because she was a virgin consecrated to God, she committed herself to the Will of God.
Mary conceived the Body of Jesus in her womb when she told the Angel Gabriel that she would do the Will of God.
Mary abandoned herself to God's Will and trusted that He would accomplish what was needed to allow her to bring forth her Son. For example, Joseph was her chosen husband, but when he realized that she was pregnant and that he was not the father, he had decided to divorce her quietly so that she would not be stoned to death as Mosaic Law prescribed. An angel was sent to Joseph in a dream assuring him that the child to be born was the Son of God.
Mary's life was not free of sufferings. She suffered a great deal. Can you imagine fleeing the town of Bethlehem in the middle of the night because an angel was sent to Joseph in a dream telling Joseph to take the Child and His Mother and escape to Egypt. Travel was not safe in those days, much less, in the dark of night. Having just had a baby that did not make travel easier for the Holy Family.
At some point in her life, Mary became a widow. We don't know when or how Joseph died, but he was blessed to die in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Mary led a very ordinary life. I am assuming that she cooked and cleaned, maybe she even had a small vegetable garden. She had friends and relatives in town. She was social. She loved her family. She did not stand out in the crowd, but she and Joseph raised Jesus to be a good Jew and follow the law.
Mary was the impetus that pushed Jesus to perform His first public miracle. At the wedding in Cana, when Mary told Jesus that the couple had run out of wine, He asked her, "What does this have to do with me, woman?" She simply told the waiters, "Do whatever He tells you." She knew He would not say no. I'm sure Jesus smiled because He knew He could not say no to His Mother. He performed His first public miracle turning the water into wine. The couple was saved from disgrace. His Apostles were astonished.
Mary was with her Son when He died. Before Jesus died on the cross, He gave His Mother to the world. He made sure she was taken care of by John, the Beloved Apostle, and in giving His Mother to John, He gave His mother to us.
Tradition holds that before Jesus appeared to His Believers, after His Resurrection, He appeared to His Mother. Can you imagine the joy of the Reunion! Jesus had overcome death. He had completed His Mission of Salvation. He showed His Mother His Love!
