ever-virgin Mary affirms that it is a relationship: 16th week tuesday 2012 II

This is one of the few gospel passages quoted by Protestants to prove that Mary had others sons and daughters, that Jesus had brothers and sisters and that Mary was therefore not as we call her ever-virgin.  Some Protestants believe that Mary was only a virgin during the conception and birth of Jesus, but she did not remain a virgin after that.  She would have other sons by Joseph.

But we Catholics believe that Mary was a virgin and is ever-virgin.  We believe that by saying “how can this be since I do not know man,” was already an indication as well as a resolve that she intend to remain a virgin.  That her consciousness of the sacredness of her womb where the Son of God dwelt for 9 months, made her consecrate this to God so that no other human being was ever allowed to touch and dwell in it again.  This is our belief - we believe in the Blessed Virgin Mary, ever Virgin.

So who are the brothers and sisters of Jesus mentioned in the gospels?  The brothers of Jesus in the gospel passage today, in the interpretation of the church, are not blood brothers but cousins and relatives.  The bible uses the word brothers and sisters to refer not just to siblings but also to cousins and relatives.  This is how the church interpreted this passage ever since.

Why am I explaining this?  Why am I taking pains in relating to you this interpretation of sacred scriptures? 

It is to affirm what Jesus is saying to his disciples - that whenever his person enters, whenever the person of Jesus enter - our lives, our decisions, our plans and even our relationships are all transformed by his presence.  When Jesus entered the lives of his disciples he became of brother to them, they became a brother to each other.  His presence transformed their relationship with God, their decisions in life and even their relationship with each other.  In the same way that the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb transformed that womb - it transformed her relationship with Joseph her husband.  Mary ever-virgin is not just about virginity.  It is the power of God’s presence in the life of Mary and in our lives.

Today let us think about this.  Jesus is not just a philosopher who gave us wisdom.  Jesus is not a moralist who pointed out to people their sins and who taught us what is good and what is bad.  Jesus is not a religion teacher who taught us what to believe and why we believe it as such.  Rather Jesus is God who not only saved us but transformed every aspect of our lives - our decisions, our choices, our priorities, our values and most of all our relationship.  Jesus came to transform our relationships with God, with him and with one another.

Religion is a way of life and not just a set of creed precisely because it establishes a right relationship with God.  Jesus becomes the most significant person in my life and he defines my relationship with others because ours is a relationship to begin with, involving heart, mind and soul.

So it is not surprising why Mary would choose to be ever-virgin even after the birth of Jesus, because with Jesus, a relationship has been established and it became the prior relationship that defined all others.