All passages are from the King James Version. The Marian tradition is not an addition to Scripture. It is a reading of Scripture.
The Annunciation and Incarnation
The moment God chose her, and she said yes.
"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women... And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)The word translated "highly favoured" is the Greek kecharitomene, a perfect passive participle meaning "one who has been and remains filled with grace." This is the biblical basis for the Immaculate Conception.
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)The prophecy of the virgin birth, fulfilled in Mary. Matthew 1:23 quotes this passage directly in reference to her.
The Visitation
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, calls her blessed.
"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, 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?"
Luke 1:39-45 (KJV)Elizabeth calls Mary "the mother of my Lord." This is the New Testament basis for the title Theotokos, Mother of God.
The Magnificat
Mary's own words about her role in salvation history.
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name."
Luke 1:46-55 (KJV)Mary herself prophesies that "all generations shall call me blessed." Catholics who honor Mary are fulfilling this prophecy.
The Wedding at Cana
Her intercession brings about the first miracle.
"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there... And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine... His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
John 2:1-11 (KJV)Mary notices a need, brings it to Jesus, and tells the servants to do whatever he says. This is a model of Marian intercession: she does not replace Christ, she points to him.
At the Foot of the Cross
Jesus gives his mother to the Church.
"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother... When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."
John 19:25-27 (KJV)From the cross, Jesus gives Mary to the beloved disciple, who represents the Church. The Church has always understood this as Jesus giving his mother to all his disciples.
The Woman of Revelation
The great sign in heaven.
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."
Revelation 12:1-2 (KJV)The Church has always seen Mary in this image: the woman who gave birth to the one who rules all nations (v. 5), and who is in enmity with the dragon (v. 13-17).
The New Eve
The first promise of her coming.
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
Genesis 3:15 (KJV)The Protoevangelium, the first announcement of the Gospel. The Church Fathers saw this as the first prophecy of Mary, the new Eve, whose seed (Christ) would crush the serpent.
The Ark of the Covenant
The Old Testament type of Mary.
David asks: "How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?" (2 Sam 6:9). Elizabeth asks: "Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43). The parallel is exact.
2 Samuel 6:9 / Luke 1:43 (KJV)The Ark of the Covenant contained the word of God written on stone, the manna from heaven, and the staff of Aaron. Mary contained the Word of God made flesh, the true bread from heaven, and the true High Priest.
Scripture is the beginning of the conversation, not the end of it.
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