MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST

Anglican-Roman Catholic International

Commission


MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST Anglican-
Roman Catholic International Commission | Julian
Raja Arockiaraj
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Audience
It tells the people about the Anglican-Roman Catholic definitions of Marys
Immaculate Conception and assumptions. It is for people who need to know the
about the blessed mother their common beliefs and disbeliefs
Introduction
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb
(LK. 1:42) in honoring Mary as the mother of Christ, all the generations of
Anglicans and Roman Catholics have echoed this greeting of Elizabeth. The
article is apparently based on the common faith of Anglicans and Roman
Catholics. This article studies about the blessed Mary by the Anglican-Roman
Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), faiths and assumptions.
Summary
We remain convinced that the holy scriptures as the Word of God written,
bear normative witness to Gods plan of salvation. For some centuries the
Anglicans and Roman Catholics have interpreted the scriptures while divided
from one another. The Old Testament bears witness to gods creation of men
and women in his divine image, and Gods loving call to covenant relationship
with himself. God offered us the covenant of grace again and again even though
we disobeyed him. The covenant between the Lord and his people is several
times described as a love affair between God and Israel. The New Testament
MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST Anglican-
Roman Catholic International Commission | Julian
Raja Arockiaraj
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however speaks not only of Gods preparation for the birth of the son, but also
Gods election. While various parts of the New Testament refer to the birth of
Christ, only two Gospels, Matthew and Luke narrate the story of his birth and
refer specifically to Mary. In the Gospel of Matthew Mary is mentioned in
conjunction with her son in such phrases as Mary his mother or the child and
his mother. Matthew emphasizes the continuity of Jesus Christ with Israels
messianic expectations. His birth from the descents of David by whatever route
and at the ancestral royal city is disclosed first. The virginal conceptions of Mary
is disclosed second.
While as in Gospel of Luke Mary is prominent from the beginning. She is
linked between John the Baptist and Jesus. The divine initiative in human history
is proclaimed in the good news of the virginal conception through the action of
the Holy Spirit. For Christian believers, it is an eloquent sign of divine sonship of
Christ and of new life through spirit. The scriptural witness summons all believers
in every generation to call Mary blessed; this Jewish woman of humble status,
this daughter of Israel living in hope of justice for the poor, whom God has graced
and chosen to become the virgin mother of his Son through the overshadowing
of the Holy Spirit.
In the early church reflection on Mary served to interpret and safeguard
the apostolic tradition centered on Jesus Christ. Mary was called Theotokos
which means God-bearer this emerged from the reflection on scriptures and
celebration of Christian feasts, but its development was mainly due to the early
MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST Anglican-
Roman Catholic International Commission | Julian
Raja Arockiaraj
Page 3 of 5

Christological controversies. Marys title Theotokos was formally invoked to
safeguard the orthodox doctrine of the unity of Christs person. This title has
been in churches under the influence of Alexandria, but the Council of Nicaea
declared Jesus Christ is true god from true god. These churches concluded that
his mother, Mary, can be rightly called the God-bearer. In receiving the council
of Ephesus and the definition of Chalcedon, Anglicans and Roman Catholics
together affirm that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of
the Virgin Mary and confess Mary as Theotokos.
In the early centuries communion in Christ included a strong sense of
living presence of the saints as an integral part of the spiritual experience of the
churches. Lords mother came to be seen to have a special place. Themes were
developed from the scriptures and in devotional reflection reveal a deep
awareness of Marys role in the redemption of humanity. The response of
Christian people, reflecting on these themes, found devotional expression in both
private and public prayer. The fathers presented Mary the Virgin mother as a
model of holiness for consecrated virgins and increasing taught that she
remained ever-virgin. In their reflection, virginity was understood not only as
physical integrity, but as an interior disposition of openness, obedience and
single-hearted fidelity to Christ which models Christian discipleship and issues in
spiritual fruitfulness.
Meditation on the lives of both Christ and Mary became increasingly
popular in middle ages and gave rise to the development of devotional practices
MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST Anglican-
Roman Catholic International Commission | Julian
Raja Arockiaraj
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as the rosary. Revision of the calendars and lectionaries used in our
communions, especially the liturgical provision associated with the feast of Mary,
gives evidence of a shared process of rereceving the scriptural testimony to her
place in the faith and life of the church. The two communions join in praying and
praising Mary, whom all generation have called blessed, observing her festivals
and according her honor in the communion of saints and are agreed that Mary
and the saints pray for the whole church. Many Christians find that giving
devotional expressions to their appreciation for the ministry of Mary enriches their
worship of God. Above all the saints , Mary takes her place as Theotokos: Alive
in Christ, she abides with the one she bore, still highly favored in the
communion of grace and hope, the exemplar of redeemed humanity, an icon of
the church.
Conclusion
Though the Anglican and Roman Catholics had some difference in their
faith about Mary. They agreed on some similarities and accepted Mary as the
blessed mother of Christ, who is ever virgin and celebrate the festivals and ask
her to pray for us to Lord Jesus Christ.
Discussion
The thesis was carried out by explaining about Mary by comparing it to the
Old Testament and New Testament, then by role of Mary in early church and her
festivals and faith. The article was logical showing a complete study on Mary
MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST Anglican-
Roman Catholic International Commission | Julian
Raja Arockiaraj
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from different angles. The value of the article is useful to Christian and non-
believers in Mary as a saint.
References
Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ.
Origins 35:3 (June2, 2005): 33-50