…Mary, Mother of God Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow…

Full of attention and delighting with sublimity of the Divine love, MARY of Nazareth quietly continued hearing the Archangel’s words:

“And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren.”(Luke 1.36)

Here they shall to have shone MARY’S pretty eyes intensely. SHE liked HER cousin a lot and knew, she wanted to possess a son. And the Archangel Gabriel continued inferring and arguing with MARY, telling HER that her chastity vote would be guarded, that it would be a miraculous conception and he affirmed:
“Because no word shall be impossible with GOD” (Luke 1.37)

There was an absolute silence… The nature stopped, the birds didn’t sing more and the expectation was general… For MARY, however, in all HER simplicity and modesty, it was a necessary pause to be able to breathe as well as to recover the emotional equilibrium in the face of the senses that proceeded from the CREATOR’S Magnanimous and Infinite Kindness. And SHE said the “YES” that so much was expected… The “YES” which brought us LORD JESUS, Savior and the humanity’s Redeemer. The “YES” which propitiated us the Divine mercy and conceded us the Eternal Life, because neutralized the intensity of the Yes of Eva, that one Yes was said by the first woman to the Angel of the Darkness, which originated the Sin and the Death. Then MARY said:

“Behold the handmaid of the LORD; be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1.38)

In that instant, GOD completed the Announcement’s Decree. The Archangel said good-bye and MARY was not alone. OUR LADY’S Holy Pregnancy began.

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF HEBRON

- Having recovered the emotional equilibrium and keeping on HER heart the unforgettable emotions, MARY remembered HER cousin who needed to be helped in the end phase of the pregnancy because of the advanced age. SHE talked with her parents and Joseph about her cousin’s pregnancy explaining the importance of the fact in order to help her until total recovery. They agreed and Joachim, who was always agreeable traveled to Jerusalem, in order to accomplish commercial transactions, promised to take his daughter in the next travel, as soon as possible:

“And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Judah”. (Luke 1.39)

Naturally, her father was with Her in a small merchants caravan which passed by Nazareth. They traveled in caravan because they would be protected against many thieves who infested that region. They traveled for 140 kilometers of tortuous road full of stones until Jerusalem. There, Joachim stayed to work and MARY went on alone walking 6 kilometers… which separated Jerusalem from Aim Karin, where HER cousin was living.

The two women’s meeting was solemn and replete of happiness. That reunion was different from the others because in that they were both involved in the mystery of MARY’S maternity. HER great satisfaction was to serve Elizabeth in an important moment of her life. Therefore the cousins overflowed in an apparent happiness.

“SHE entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth”. (Luke 1.40)

When the cousin heard the greeting, probably a “shalom” an affection was felt.. an emotion which merely was not a surprise, because

“when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was full of the HOLY GHOST “. (Luke 1.41)

In her womb moved the child upon hearing the soft voice of She who was replete of the HOLY GHOST and had been chosen for MOTHER OF GOD. For that reason, Elizabeth had become replete of the LORD’S SPIRIT also, and cried. She and her husband in advanced age had received two very special graces. Firstly, GOD had heard their supplications and granted them a son. According to their own community habits The LORD had eliminated their mark of discrimination which meant “to be punished for GOD” because they hadn’t had a son. Secondly, to have at her side her dear cousin who was THE LORD’S SACRED MOTHER. Elizabeth was conscious about that truth as well and she was inspired by the GHOST she exclaimed:

“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord”! (Luke 1.42-45)

As it was common in oriental families, MARY composed of improvisation a wonderful poem called “Magnificat” which it is true laudation hymn to GOD. The poem has many expressions from the sacred papyruses which SHE knew very well and where SHE reveals HER gratitude at the CREATOR by the marvel of Incarnation. MARY said:

“My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in GOD my Savior.
Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
He hath showed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy:
As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever! (Luke 1.46-55)

In agreement with the law, at the eighth day after Elizabeth’s son was born the child was circumcised and had received the name of John the Baptist, the notable precursor of the LORD. “And Mary abode with her about three months; and she returned to her own house” (Luke 1.56), naturally in a caravan accompanied with HER relative.

- The Church celebrates GOD’s MOTHER’S birthday on September 8th, although our BLESSED MOTHER, at the time of Apparitions in Medjugorje (June 1981), informed the seers that it was August 5th.

There are two facts that have happened in the same day to confirm the date of MARY’S birthday. The facts collaborate effectively and guide us to accept the date August 5th, considering that “the coincidences” exist and without any doubt, they are Divine Providence’s Work.

The first fact happened in August, year 352, in Rome, with a snowfall miraculous, in Esquiline Hill. Giovanni Patricio and his wife dreamed that VIRGIN MARY wanted a Church to be built in HER homage and informed them that the place would be marked… snow-covered. In the dream, OUR LADY appeared with the Boy JESUS in HER arms, and asked the couple that they take the news to His Holiness. In the audience with the Pope Liberian (352-366), when the couple described their dream, the Pontiff stayed surprised and admired, because he had also received the same message while he slept. For that reason he decided to check up on the marvelous event. He and one companion went to see the place and they found it covered with snow in the middle of summer in Italy. It was August 5th, 352. The Pope built in the place indicated by the VIRGIN the LIBERIAN BASILICA or CHURCH SAINT MARY’S SNOW, and also, on the same date he instituted the Celebration of OUR LADY’S SNOW, or THE WHITE VIRGIN, in honor to GOD’S MOTHER.

The second fact happened in the year 431, when Pope Celestin I (422-432) ordered the Ephesus’s Council, June 22nd to July 31st. In this Ecumenical Council was recognized and proclaimed MARY’S DIVINE MATERNITY officially. On August 5th in Rome, His Holiness celebrated a Saint Mass and read “in that day” the text of the Dogma of OUR LADY’S DIVINE MATERNITY.

In Pontificate of Pope Sixth III (432-440), successor of the Pope Celestin I, another temple was built in the same place indicated by the VIRGIN MARY, in the Esquiline Hill, in Rome, in honor to OUR LADY, with a solid and very well calculated structures, beautiful jonick columns, and three magnificent aisles (space in the Church from entrance until the sanctuary). The old Church built by Pope Liberian disappeared at the time without leaveing any vestige. The new temple was called BASILICA OF SAINT MARY MAGGIORE (Saint Mary, the Greatest), referring to the greatness of HER virtues, and Her immense intercession powers near to GOD. Along the centuries, the Basilica received many improvements, admirable paintings, craftsmanship with gold in the lining and in the altars, ceramic floors with special drawings, notable images, and artistic sculptures that transformed the Temple into a majestic Basilica, one of the most important and beautiful of the world. Annually on August 5th are renewed the homages to OUR LADY, and they multiply in parties and celebrations, remembering with enthusiasm and happiness the anniversary the Basilica’s Construction, a worthy and precious present of humanity in honor to OUR LADY, as a love sign to HER in its anniversary birthday.

Judean Hills surrounding Jerusalem

The Judean Hills that surrounded Jerusalem and Bethlehem were not only parched places for the shepherds to feed their flocks, but also significant terrain for Mary, who was ready to give birth, to travel over… donkey or no donkey!

Travel to Israel…today

Duane Goehner

Travel Warning: Presently there are significant dangers in traveling to Israel. Although I did appreciate the opportunity to visit the Holy Land, I would not make the trip again. It is the first time in all my years of traveling that I have ever made such a statement. Certainly there are dangers from terrorists, but the problems I faced were not with militant groups. My rental car windows were smashed out and the stereo and other items were stolen from the vehicle while parked outside the Old City of Jerusalem on a busy street. Worse, I had a terrible encounter with the security people at Ben Gurion Airport. I was detained and my luggage recklessly searched for two and a half hours. Various gifts and other personal affects were broken or damaged during this “experience.” While the overall population was wonderfully hospitable, these two cases shed a terribly black shadow on the trip. Unless there is significant change within the security forces dealing with the innocent income-bringing tourist, I highly recommend that you reconsider all travel to and from the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and visits to Jerusalem and surrounding areas. This warning is coming from someone who experienced five years of travel to and from Russia with it’s Soviet and Communist mentality, travel in and out of Haiti during the first elections and even traveled through Heathrow a few days after the Lockerbie, Scotland disaster. Still…nothing compares with the violations that took place at the Tel Aviv airport. Travelers beware! With that “disclaimer” out of the way, may I present the more pleasant aspects of my trip:

A dark cloud hangs over Jerusalem

There are so many contrasts in Israel.
A mix of cultures: Jewish, Arab, Christian.
Devastated yet cherished throughout the centuries.
Beautiful beaches, rich fields and orchards, parched deserts.
Indeed, there is something so attractive…so mystical about the place.

Masada

Masada, in Hebrew, means Fortress. It was built by Herod the Great in the first century BC. It was a Roman Garrison until AD 66 when the Zealots captured it. Masada was the scene for the last stand made by Jewish Zealots in their revolt against Roman rule. It fell after a two year siege by the Roman Tenth Legion.

Golden Gate

The sealed Golden Gate, with remnants of the Muslim cemetery that extend down towards the Kidron Valley.

Western (Wailing) Wall

Jews come from all over the world to pray at the Western Wall. It is the remaining wall of the Second Temple, which was destroyed in AD 70.

Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock Mosque is where the Muslims believe that Muhammad rose to heaven. The Jews believe it is the place where Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac.

Old City Street

A narrow street by the Damascus Gate, bustling with buyers and sellers and passersby.
In the foreground is flat bread, a staple in the Israeli diet.

An Old Synagogue

The remains of an old Jewish synagogue in the midst of the Old City.

Old City Wall

A corner of the Old City of Jerusalem Wall. The variety of different stones show the history of destruction and rebuilding through the ages.