Mary: A Model and Mother of Faith
A reading from John the 19th Chapter
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home
The earliest Western Madonna and Child, from the Book of Kells, at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew. c. 800
The Vyšší Brod (Hohenfurth) cycle, (also known as Hohenfurth altarpiece) ranks among the most important monuments of European Gothic painting. It is made up of nine panel paintings depicting scenes from the Life of Christ, covering his childhood, Passion and resurrection. These paintings were made between 1345 and 1350 in the workshop of the Master of Vyšší Brod that was most probably based in Prague.
The Nativity at Night or Night Nativity is an Early Netherlandish painting of about 1490 by Geertgen tot Sint Jans in the National Gallery, London (NG 4081). Like many paintings of the Nativity, the depiction is influenced by the visions of Saint Bridget of Sweden (1303–1373), a very popular mystic.[3] Shortly before her death, she described a vision of the infant Jesus as lying on the ground, and emitting light himself:
... the virgin knelt down with great veneration in an attitude of prayer, and her back was turned to the manger ... And while she was standing thus in prayer, I saw the child in her womb move and suddenly in a moment she gave birth to her son, from whom radiated such an ineffable light and splendour, that the sun was not comparable to it,
Georges de La Tour (13 March 1593 – 30 January 1652) was a French Baroque painter, who spent most of his working life in the Duchy of Lorraine. He painted mostly religious chiaroscuro scenes lit by candlelight. (1644, Louvre)
Early Renaissance
Botticelli, his patrons, the Medici family, are depicted as the Magi and their retinue. (1476)
High Renaissance
(1506)
The Doni Tondo or Doni Madonna, is the only finished panel painting by the mature Michelangelo to survive.
Adolf Hölzel, 1912
First a realist then considered modern
Michelangelo's Pietà, 1498
Pietro Lorenzetti, Assisi Basilica, 1310–1329
Why More Infant Mother than Adult mother?
Because of Marian Catholic Culture - Ten Virtues
(Note: our hymns are just the same- all about bearing a child not about actual motherhood)
Martin Luther’s Evangelical Praise of the Mother of God
O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, what great comfort God has shown us in you, by so graciously regarding your unworthiness and low estate. This encourages us to believe that henceforth He will not despise us poor and lowly ones, but graciously regard us also, according to your example. Amen
He was a Catholic after all!
Luke Vs. John
John Gives Us a More Complete image of Mary’s Motherhood
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to me and to you?[a] My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2)
These are Mary’s last recorded words. What do they tell you about her?
Motherhood: it is more than a pregnancy announcement (no matter how joyful or profound) and it is definitely more than producing a baby
Mary is more than a vestle!
Hard Truth: We Will Never be the Most…of Any of Those 10 Virtues