Hofileña: Mother of Nations

Hofileña: Mother of Nations

OUR column today is based on the birth and early life of Mary, the mother of Jesus whose historic annual birth anniversary is widely celebrated on September 8.

Based on the Old Testament account, Mary was born to a well to do family of Joachim and his wife, Anne. At the age of three, she was taken to live in the temple at Jerusalem and she is the long anticipated child that reflects the Old Testament tales.

Mary is a central figure in the accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ and in later centuries she became an important focus of Christian theology and piety. She was betrothed to a man named Joseph who became a memorable Saint together with Mary.

The age of Mary is not given although she would have been a few years past her puberty. Mary's family ancestry has described that she was a relative of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, who was from the tribe of Levi.

During her betrothal period, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would bear a son to be named Jesus, as a Royal successor of King David.

At this point an angel told her that the "Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the highest will overshadow you with the child to be called Holy the son of God."

With her enduring example of obedient faith, she replied "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word." Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said to take Mary to be his wife for it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived a son and He will be called Immanuel (which means "God is with us").

The theological role of Mary has been a line of division among Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox and other faiths. The veneration of Mary has remained strong among Catholics and many other churches since the Middle Ages and has found myriad forms of expression.

Countless believers have found other forms of expressions, including the use of the Rosary, and the major feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, countless churches dedicated to "Our Lady" including many pilgrimages to Lourdes and Fatima, where Mary is said to have made miraculous appearances.

On various theological beliefs, Mary continues to be a fascinating and beloved figure worldwide. To countless families in humanity, Jesus lovingly held his mother in high esteem and stressed the importance of honoring your "father and your mother."

Mary's memories will be long remembered by countless families in history.

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