Netflix's new film Mary tells the story of the life of the woman who would later become known as the Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, and the Queen of Heaven.
The film, directed by DJ Caruso, stars Noah Cohen as Mary and Anthony Hopkins as King Herod. Immediately after its release on December 6th, it reached number one on the Netflix charts.
But who is Mary? And why is she such an important figure during the Advent and Christmas seasons?
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What does the Bible say about her?
Mary's special status is made clear early in Luke's Gospel. Luke 1:28 says, “Jesus came to her and said, 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.'”
An image of the Annunciation depicting the angel Gabriel (left) speaking to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. (St. Petersburg)
This line is part of the story of the Annunciation, where the Virgin Mary was told by the Archangel Gabriel that she would conceive and give birth to the Messiah, Jesus.
Mary agrees in Luke 1:38 when she says, “Behold, I am the Lord's servant; let it be done to me according to your word.”
The word “full of grace” means that Mary was different from others who were still tainted by original sin.
Catholics believe that Mary was conceived immaculately and without sin.
“If she is completely inhabited by God, there is no room for sin in her.”
In 2017, Pope Francis said of this passage that the word “full of grace” meant “Mary is filled with the presence of God.”
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“And if she is wholly inhabited by God,” he said, “there is no room for sin in her.”
DJ Caruso (left) directed the new movie. Noah Cohen (center) stars as Mary. Tako Ido (right) plays Joseph in the movie. (Charlie Galley/Getty Images, Netflix)
Pope Francis said: “This is abnormal, because unfortunately everything in the world is contaminated with evil. When each of us looks inside ourselves, we see the dark side. Even the greatest saints were sinners, and everything in reality was a sinner, even the greatest saints. Everything beautiful is corrupted by evil, except Mary. ”
Furthermore, Mary is “the only 'evergreen oasis' for humanity, uncontaminated and ready to fully welcome God, who has come into this world to begin a new history.” , the only pure creation.”
Here's why Mary, Mother of God, is a key figure in Advent
The importance of Mary's role in this story and the season of Advent cannot be underestimated, Marc Miraval told FOX News Digital in 2023.
“From the manger scene to stamps, from Christmas cards to Advent hymns, the image of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, is ubiquitous in our time. Advent'' Miravalle said.
Pope Francis said the Virgin Mary was “humanity's only 'evergreen oasis'” and “full of grace.” (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Miravalle is a professor of theology and the Constance Shiffrin Bloom Professor of Oceanography at Ave Maria University in Florida.
He is president of the International Marian Society and author and editor of more than 20 books.
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“Therefore, we believe that the human woman, by the power of the Holy Spirit, endowed the Second Person of the Trinity with humanity so that the God and Man, Jesus Christ, could redeem the world. ” he said.
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ and “justly honors women's cooperation in God's plan of love to bring a Savior to humanity,” Miravalle said.
Advent “justly honors women's cooperation in God's loving plan to bring a Savior to mankind,” said the theology professor and author. (St. Petersburg)
“This is a powerful demonstration of God's deep respect for human dignity, our free cooperation in God's plan of salvation, and the special dignity of women,” she said.
Although Mary is worshiped in some Christian denominations, there is “no competition” between her and her son Jesus, Miravel said.
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“There is no competition between the divine Jesus and the human Mary, but rather a bond of heart between son and mother obedient to the plan of the Heavenly Father, which led to the glorious birth and final victory of the Savior of the world. “We're connected,” he said. .
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“For without him there is no peace.”
