How much did the Blessed Virgin Mary know about Jesus? Dr. Sri reflects on a popular Christmas song that challenges us to think about whether Mary knew that Jesus was the Savior of the world. Dr. Sri explains how Mary’s familiarity with Scripture prepared her to understand that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the old testament.
Snippet from the Show
Mary’s mind was so deeply immersed in Scripture that she was able to identify the incarnation of Christ as the great crescendo of the story of salvation.
Shownotes
This week the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a wonderful feast day that honors the Blessed Mother. During this time of Advent, it is fitting to ponder how much Mary actually knew about her son, Jesus. There is a popular Christmas song called Mary, Did You Know?, that assumes Mary did not know that Jesus would be the Savior of the world. If we look at Scripture though, it is clear that Mary knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Holy One of Israel who would fulfill all the prophecies of the old testament.
- Mary was a first-century Jew who was fully immersed the Scriptures. She filled her mind with the Scriptures by hearing them in the synagogue every week and pondering the great stories of salvation history.
- When Mary heard the words spoken by the angel Gabriel, the shepherds, her cousin Elizabeth, and Simeon, she most likely was able to connect their words to the the old testament prophecies that foreshadowed the coming of Jesus. Mary was so familiar with the Scriptures that she was able to make connections and realize that her son was the Son of God.
- The old testament prophecies, particularly those in Isaiah (Isaiah 40 and Isaiah 35) vividly foretold the miracles of Jesus and the divinity of Jesus. Therefore, Mary knew that Jesus would deliver the world, rule the nations, be a light of the revelation of the nations, and establish an everlasting kingdom.
- The Annunciation directly connects to the promises God made to King David in 2 Samuel 7.
- When Jesus was born, Mary was already delivered from sin. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception signifies that God who is outside of time and space, applied the graces of death and resurrection of Christ to Mary when she was conceived. Mary received the graces of Calvary before Calvary even happened so that she could welcome Christ into her heart.
- It’s important for us to ponder the scriptures more and fill our minds with God’s Word. Advent is the perfect time to ponder the birth and infancy of Jesus, as well as the old testament prophecies so that we can be ready to welcome the King of Kings into our lives.
- Learn more about Mary with Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother by Dr. Sri
Resources
- Visit Dr. Sri’s website at www.edwardsri.com and to book online events with Dr. Sri email events.edwardsri@gmail.com
- Find more of Dr. Sri’s episodes at www.ascensionpress.com/allthingscatholic
- Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to www.ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings
Dr. Edward Sri is a theologian, well-known Catholic speaker, and author of several best-selling books. His work with Ascension includes study programs such as A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion and Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother. Several of Dr. Sri’s programs were filmed on-site in the Holy Land, and feature immersive video explorations of the sacred sites where Jesus, Mary, and the Apostles lived and died.
Dr. Sri is the host of the acclaimed Ascension podcast All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri. Together with Curtis Martin, Dr. Sri is a founding leader of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), of which he serves as senior vice president of Apostolic Outreach.
Dr. Sri lives with his wife Beth and their children in Colorado.
Thank you so much for sharing this very important information! We cradle Catholics need to understand why we beluevexas we do.
When I left the true Church for Bible Study and Christian fellowship, in the Evangelical church, they planted seeds of doubt about Mary’s Immaculate Conception saying “Mary’s a sinner just like us. Plus, she obviously needed a Savior when she says, ‘My souk rejoices in God my Savior.'”
However, after returning to my roots and reading about her in various sources, like the Kolbe Institute and Dr. Taylor Marshsll, it makes perfect sense that she had to be a pure, holy vessel to carry “The Word made Flesh.” The Greek Orthodox Church called her the “”Theo-tokos” in Greek, which means ” the God Bearer.”
In the Old Testament, God says, ” Be Holy, for I AM Holy.” So why would God want to be placed into an unholy, sinful vessel? Would we put a newborn into a dirty crib or bathtub? No, never!
Jesus ‘ Precious Blood came from His Mother’s Blood, as well as her DNA. Her blood type is AB, the universal blood type, since Eucharistic Miracles have proven this
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There are ancient icons which are Jesus’ snd Mary’s portraits, on a tiled mosaic, They shows His face, as was described to them. He looks like His Mother, since usually our children look like us. He didn’t look like Joseph or like a Dove. Some even cite St. Paul’s writing of how Jesus died for Adam’s sin, so He’s the Second Adam or the Last Adam.
Finally, a few years ago, I went to a Christian Concert and the guitarist was Buddy Green. He told us how the song. “Mary Did You Know?” was created. Mark Lowery, singer, songwriter and comedian called him up and said, “Buddy, I just wrote the words to a song, and you’re gonna write the music to it, We’re gonna make a LOT of money.” Lowery’s song is truly not accurate and should not be sung anymore in Catholic Masses. (That’s my opinion as a retired music teacher and current Church musician. )
She knew from the angel’s announcement; he told her point blank. No one else needed to tell her a thing.
“And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
[Luke 1:35]
I am so confused. If Joseph is the stepfather, How can Jesus be lineage to David???
Through Mary. She was also from the line of David.
Both Mary and Joseph come from the line of David, so Jesus is from the line of David through adoption (Joseph) and through blood (Mary).
Our Lady knew, just read the mystics…. Powerful & Enlightening … Ven. Mary of Agreda, Anne Emmerich….St. Bridget of Sweden & St. Elizabeth of Schoenau