The role of the Holy Spirit in Mary’s life is of great relevance in the history of salvation. The Holy Spirit prepared Mary by her grace and made her full of grace, according to Luke 1:28: “And he came to her and said, Hail, blessed one; the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.” Through the action of the Holy Spirit, Mary was conceived without sin, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church points out, so that she could give birth to the incarnate Son of God, as stated in Luke 1:35: “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore also that holy thing to be born of you will be called the Son of God.”
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit manifested the Son of the Father made Son of the Virgin, as stated in Matthew 1:18: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this basis: when his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, was found to have conceived by the Holy Spirit.” Mary thus became the “burning bush” that presented the Word to the world, as presented in Exodus 3:2, when Moses saw the burning bush and the angel of the Lord appeared to him in the midst of it.
The preparation of Mary by the Holy Spirit
Mary’s preparation by the Holy Spirit is highlighted as a unique moment in the history of salvation, as it was the first time that the Father found an abode for his Son and his Spirit to dwell among men. Church tradition regards Mary as the “Throne of Wisdom” (Proverbs 9:1), and it is through her that the wonders of God begin to be manifested (Luke 1:46-55).
Mary, the mother of the Son of God
Mary is presented as the mother of the Son of God, conceived without sin and fully gracious. The Holy Spirit made her virginity fruitful, and it is through him that she conceived and gave birth to the Son of God. Mary is thus the mother of the “whole Christ”, which includes Jesus as head and the Church as body (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-38).
The Manifestation of the Holy Spirit in Mary
The manifestation of the Holy Spirit in Mary is evidenced by her sinless conception, her grace-filled presence, and her role as the “burning bush” of the ultimate theophany, presenting the Word to the world (Luke 1:28-35). Furthermore, Mary is presented as the mother of the living (Genesis 3:20), and her presence with the Twelve on the day of Pentecost is highlighted as the beginning of “the last times” (Acts 1:14; 2:1-4). .
Mary’s Legacy in the Church
Finally, Mary’s legacy in the Church is highlighted as the beginning of bringing into communion with Christ those men who are “the objects of God’s benevolent love” (Ephesians 1:3-14). The first to receive Christ are always the humble, and Mary is presented as an example of these early followers, including shepherds, wise men, Simeon, Anna, husbands of Cana and the first disciples (Luke 2:8-20; Matthew 2:1-12 ; Luke 2:22-38; John 2:1-11; John 19:25-27; Acts 1:13-14).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Holy Spirit is a fundamental part of Christian doctrine, and his work in Mary is an important example of his influence in the world. Through the virginal conception of Jesus, the Holy Spirit shows his ability to work wonders and fulfill God’s will. Understanding the work of the Holy Spirit in Mary is fundamental to a fuller understanding of the Trinity and the role of each divine person in the lives of Christians.
Questions and answers:
- What is the work of the Holy Spirit in Mary?
The work of the Holy Spirit in Mary refers to the divine action that resulted in the conception of Jesus Christ in her womb. - How important is the work of the Holy Spirit in Mary?
The work of the Holy Spirit in Mary is important because it was through her that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born as a human being and became the savior of mankind. - How did the Holy Spirit act in Mary?
The Holy Spirit acted in Mary through the immaculate conception, that is, without original sin. This allowed Jesus to be born without the influence of original sin and to carry out his redemptive mission. - Why is Mary known as the “Immaculate Virgin”?
Mary is known as the “Immaculate Virgin” because she was preserved from original sin from the moment of conception, thanks to the action of the Holy Spirit. - What does the expression “Everlasting Virgin” mean?
The expression “Everlasting Virgin” means that Mary, after giving birth to Jesus, remained a virgin forever, without having had sexual relations with any man.
