Was Mary blessed?

[British Believer]

I am an Evangelical Protestant, but am rather confused as to whether Mary was "blessed" or not.

In Luke 11:27-28 Jesus appears to indicate that she is not:

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

However, in Luke 1:42, 45 & 48 Mary is called blessed. Elizabeth is said to be 'filled with the Holy Spirit' when she proclaims Mary to be blessed.

I would be interested in hearing both sides of the argument - Catholics who say that Jesus does not say what he appears to say, and Protestants who say that Catholics are interpreting Luke 1 wrong.

 

[sonshine234]

It is not just Catholics who feel that way. If you look at it Christ was never saying His Mother was not blessed He was saying that those who hear His words are blessed to. The Blessed Virgin is most definitely blessed by Her Son

 

[British Believer]

It is not just Catholics who feel that way. If you look at it Christ was never saying His Mother was not blessed He was saying that those who hear His words are blessed to. The Blessed Virgin is most definitely blessed by Her Son

Surely if that was the case then Christ would have said "blessed also are those who hear the word of God and obey it" not "rather"?

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Scripture is God's Word. God does not contradict Himself. St. Luke's Gospel is God's Word; St. Luke 1:42-48...

Luke 1:42-48

New King James Version (NKJV)




42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

46 And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.


It seems to me that Scripture is clear. The Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord, is indeed called, and it is proper to call her "Blessed"

This bit of Scripture also makes a good case for her being called Mother of our Lord and Mother of God (providing one accepts the incarnation and the dual nature of Christ (Scripture is clear on that too btw).

 

[prodromos]

In Luke 11:27-28 Jesus appears to indicate that she is not:

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

He is giving the reason why His mother is truly blessed. The woman in the crowd was thinking in physical or worldly terms. Christ elevated the reason Mary is blessed to spiritual terms.

Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;
and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to her,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;
therefore the child to be born will be called holy,
the Son of God.

36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.​

Mary heard the word of God and obeyed it.

 

[kellhus]

I've literally never heard anyone claim that Mary isn't blessed. Even the most hardcore Protestants who deny that she's mother of god and insist that Christ just used her as an incubator. Even they don't deny her blessedness.

 

[narnia59]

The definition of rather. Try applying definitions 1-3 instead of #4 to the text and see how things come out so the apparent 'contradiction' can fade into the dust. If there's that much variance in how we use the word in English, add a translation from another language and 2000 years of language change into the mix.

1
: with better reason or more propriety : more properly <this you should pity rather than despise — Shakespeare>
2
: more readily or willingly : preferably <I'd rather not go> <would rather read than watch television> —often used interjectionally to express affirmation

3
: more correctly speaking <my father, or rather my stepfather>

4
: to the contrary : instead <was no better but rather grew worse — Mark 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)>

5
: in some degree : somewhat <it's rather warm> —often used as a mild intensive <spent rather a lot of money>

Rather - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Jesus is not denying Mary was blessed to be his physical mother. But she, and all of us along with her are more rightly blessed because we follow the will of God. Scripture also attests to Mary doing the will of God and being blessed in this way. Jesus is simply pointing out that Mary is even more blessed because she did the will of God than because she gave birth to him. Not that she wasn't blessed by giving birth to him.

 

[British Believer]

Jesus is not denying Mary was blessed to be his physical mother. But she, and all of us along with her are more rightly blessed because we follow the will of God. Scripture also attests to Mary doing the will of God and being blessed in this way. Jesus is simply pointing out that Mary is even more blessed because she did the will of God than because she gave birth to him. Not that she wasn't blessed by giving birth to him.

Ok, thank you for explaining this to me, I now understand the meaning of Jesus' words about the blessedness of his mother properly.

However, I still believe that my Anglo-Catholic grandfather is wrong to carry a statue of Mary in a procession through Leicester every year.

 

[narnia59]

Ok, thank you for explaining this to me, I now understand the meaning of Jesus' words about the blessedness of his mother properly.

However, I still believe that my Anglo-Catholic grandfather is wrong to carry a statue of Mary in a procession through Leicester every year.

You're welcome.

And that would be your prerogative.

 

[dan p]

I am an Evangelical Protestant, but am rather confused as to whether Mary was "blessed" or not.

In Luke 11:27-28 Jesus appears to indicate that she is not:

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

However, in Luke 1:42, 45 & 48 Mary is called blessed. Elizabeth is said to be 'filled with the Holy Spirit' when she proclaims Mary to be blessed.

I would be interested in hearing both sides of the argument - Catholics who say that Jesus does not say what he appears to say, and Protestants who say that Catholics are interpreting Luke 1 wrong.

Hi , and MARY will called Blessed in the Millennial Kingdom with Abraham , Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven which is in the Millennial Kingdom , Matt 8:11 and not until then .

Mary is part oof the MESSIANIC KINGDOM and not part of the Body of Christ .

dan p

 

[dan p]

I am an Evangelical Protestant, but am rather confused as to whether Mary was "blessed" or not.

In Luke 11:27-28 Jesus appears to indicate that she is not:

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, &#8220;Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.&#8221;
He replied, &#8220;Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.&#8221;

However, in Luke 1:42, 45 & 48 Mary is called blessed. Elizabeth is said to be 'filled with the Holy Spirit' when she proclaims Mary to be blessed.

I would be interested in hearing both sides of the argument - Catholics who say that Jesus does not say what he appears to say, and Protestants who say that Catholics are interpreting Luke 1 wrong.

Hi , and MARY will called Blessed in the Millennial Kingdom with Abraham , Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven which is in the Millennial Kingdom , Matt 8:11 and not until then .

Mary is part of the MESSIANIC KINGDOM and not part of the Body of Christ .

dan p

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Hi , and MARY will called Blessed in the Millennial Kingdom with Abraham , Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven which is in the Millennial Kingdom , Matt 8:11 and not until then .

Mary is part of the MESSIANIC KINGDOM and not part of the Body of Christ .

dan p

You are saying that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is not part of the Body of Christ???? What Scripture are you reading my friend? Mary and Joseph were addressed directly by the angles of our Lord God, and both were chosen by God, Mary to bear our Lord, Joseph to nurture and guard both Him and Mary; later our Lord Jesus Christ entrusted her earthly care to St. John the Divine. How in the face of Scripture and in the face of logic can you state that St. Mary, mother of my Lord is not part of the body of Christ.

And BTW millennialism is bunk; that 1,000 years is long past by about 2 times.

 

[dan p]

You are saying that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is not part of the Body of Christ???? What Scripture are you reading my friend? Mary and Joseph were addressed directly by the angles of our Lord God, and both were chosen by God, Mary to bear our Lord, Joseph to nurture and guard both Him and Mary; later our Lord Jesus Christ entrusted her earthly care to St. John the Divine. How in the face of Scripture and in the face of logic can you state that St. Mary, mother of my Lord is not part of the body of Christ.

And BTW millennialism is bunk; that 1,000 years is long past by about 2 times.

Hi , and what verse are you using to prove that MARY ascended to heaven ?

Gal 3:28 , proves to all that in heaven CANNOT be Male nor Female , don;t you see ?

Give verse that prove that the 1000 year is past ?

There are those that say that the 12 apostles are in the Body of Christ , BUT 1 Cor 15:8 Debunks that notion , my friend

Notion that in 1 Cor 15:8 only SAUL/PAUL was aborted , out of due time !

The 12 apostles and all remaining Jews have yet to go through the Great Tribulation and all remaining Jews will become Kings and Priests in the 1000 year reign of Christ , Rev 1:6 and Ex 19:6 .

Did we all Blink and mis the 12 apostles sitting on 12 Thrones sitting and judging ISRAEL ??

I do not think so !

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Hi , and what verse are you using to prove that MARY ascended to heaven ?

What verse are you using to prove that she is not? Seriously, her assumption is adiaphora; were her body assumed into heaven or not matters not, what does matter is that she is indeed in heaven.

Gal 3:28 , proves to all that in heaven CANNOT be Male nor Female , don;t you see ?

Do hermaphrodites go to heaven? Seriously, Eiliga was assumed into heaven; we believe that the body of Moses may have been carried to heaven. At the transfiguration Moses and Elijah spoke with Christ, so it would be fair to assume that they were recognizable, since the Gospels record the Apostles recognizing them.

Give verse that prove that the 1000 year is past ?

Don't need to; the reformation was 500 years ago, there is more than 500 years before the reformation from the time of Christ's ascension. God created time. History measures time. If you are going to take the 1000 years spoken of in Scripture literally, then you must take the historically recorded passage of time the same way. That dog won't hunt.

There are those that say that the 12 apostles are in the Body of Christ , BUT 1 Cor 15:8 Debunks that notion , my friend

Notion that in 1 Cor 15:8 only SAUL/PAUL was aborted , out of due time !

The 12 apostles and all remaining Jews have yet to go through the Great Tribulation and all remaining Jews will become Kings and Priests in the 1000 year reign of Christ , Rev 1:6 and Ex 19:6 .

Did we all Blink and mis the 12 apostles sitting on 12 Thrones sitting and judging ISRAEL ??

I do not think so !

Revelation is apocalyptic writing like the Book of Daniel and may others. The 12 elders are currently in their thrones, and will be there on the last day. The worship described in Revelation is the same worship that we engage in in the Mass. We, the faithful living and the faithful dead are all alive in Christ, and are part of the Body of Christ, as is the Blessed St. Mary, mother of our Lord.

 

[pshun2404]

Surely if that was the case then Christ would have said "blessed also are those who hear the word of God and obey it" not "rather"?

He is just saying she is not blessed simply on the criteria of being His mother (God is not a respecter of persons)...as she says "let it be according to your word Lord" and elsewhere "whatever He says, do it...". But indeed Mary was blessed (made happy, filled with joy, chosen with purpose, promised fulfillment) out of all the women in the world He chose HER to be the mother of our Lord...God was not only with her (personally) and in her (being filled with the Spirit and all grace) but He literally was in her (she being like a tabernacle)...grace in the form of a baby dwelt in her. She was one and had a kind of symbiotic relationship with God's Glory. If that is not being blessed I cannot fathom what could be more blessed.

Now God could have chosen any woman He willed to choose, but He chose her...and for me she is THE best example of a follower we could hope to emulate (not a co- anything or a goddess figure but as a saint)

Now if you meant Bless-ed like in the sense of "more holy" I would say no but she was a righteous one (tzadikies), with unmovable faith, and absolute self giving obedience...

Love her...Christ, her son, was her heart, let Him also be ours...

 

[concretecamper]

I am an Evangelical Protestant, but am rather confused as to whether Mary was "blessed" or not.

In Luke 11:27-28 Jesus appears to indicate that she is not:

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

However, in Luke 1:42, 45 & 48 Mary is called blessed. Elizabeth is said to be 'filled with the Holy Spirit' when she proclaims Mary to be blessed.

I would be interested in hearing both sides of the argument - Catholics who say that Jesus does not say what he appears to say, and Protestants who say that Catholics are interpreting Luke 1 wrong.

In Luke Chapter 1, Mary is blessed by two....Elizabeth and Gabriel. This shows she is reverenced by men and by angels.....pretty cool...huh?


Ver. 42. In the same words she is pronounced blessed by Elizabeth, and by the angel Gabriel, both inspired by the Holy Ghost...; and thus, as Ven. Bede asserts, holding her up to the reverence of both men and angels.

 

[seashale76]

The Theotokos was certainly blessed!

Cappella Romana: THE AKATHISTOS HYMN (by Ivan Moody) - First Koukoulion - YouTube

 

[packermann]

There is only a problem with these two verses if we assume that Mary did not obey God.

I think that these two verses can be reconciled if we accept the Catholic teaching that Mary was without sin. If Mary is without sin, then she had fully obeyed God's Word. So then Jesus would not be denying that Mary was blessed. She was blessed not because she was His mother, but because she fully obeyed God. And we all can be blessed, too, maybe not such that all generations will call us blessed, since we all except for Jesus and Mary have sinned.

 

[Albion]

I don't see any problem with these verses. Mary was blessed, we agree, but in the other verse...

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

There isn't any denial of it. What this passage is saying is that the woman's statement--true as far as it went--missed the bigger point...which he then explained.

Not a problem.

 

[luckyfredsdad]

But there is a problem for most traditional Anglicans in that the Church in England has accepted the teachings of the Universal Church which says that Mary is the Mother of God. Also that the Lady Mary is Ever Virgin , All Holy and Immaculate! (Nothing to do with Immaculate Conception!) This has been the teaching of the English Church for the best part of two thousand years through the teachings of the Councils all of which our faith is based on!