THE PLACE OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN THE ECONOMY SALVATION OF MAN
PROLEGOMENA: The doctrine of Mary as the co-redemptrix, Mediatrix and advocate in the economy of man’s salvation right from time immemorial has been a protracted enigma that has raised dust among our separated brethren; who neither wish to ask questions nor bend down to read about the mystified co-participation of this second Eve in the salvation history of man. Following the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Mary’s role in the salvation history of man is tripartite in nature. Thus: a Co-redemptrix, a Mediatrix, and an Advocate (cf. Catechism, no. 969). These multilateral roles played by our lady, is part of the constant teachings of the Church. Saint Paul teaches us that “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:5). However, Mary’s participation in the salvation history of man as Mother of Christ and Mother of Christians does not diminish the unique mediation of Christ; rather it points to Christ’s unique mediation and reveals its power (Lumen Gentium 60). It is on this note that this insightive work built on the scripture, documents of the church fathers and lessons from the sacred magisterium have set out to take a circumspective look into this age long controversial issue. For the sake of clarity and understanding it is pertinent to explicate the three major concepts involved in this work: co-redemptrix, Mediatrix and advocate.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK:
The concept of Mary as Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate for the People of God is an ancient dogma in the church's teaching. The early Church manifested her heartfelt belief in the intercessory power of Mary, to whom she called for help and protection in the midst of dangers and trials. The Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen), composed in the eleventh century, includes this venerable title. Vatican II continues this ancient practice of invoking Mary under the title that conveys her role as intercessory helper for the People of God in times of peril: “Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under these titles....” (Lumen Gentium 62).
Consequently, we can boldly proclaim that the Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix and advocate roles of our lady, who uniquely participated with the one Redeemer in obtaining the graces of redemption, continues her participation by distributing the graces of redemption with the one Mediator, Jesus Christ, and the Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit. Part of this mediating role of Mary in God’s plan of salvation includes the providential task of being the Advocate for the People of God, that is, a mother pleading on behalf of her children. Thus, Mary not only mediates the graces of God to humanity as Mediatrix, but she also mediates the petitions of the human family back to God as our Advocate. The title “Co-redemptrix” is a term that refers to Mary’s unique and intimate co-operation with her divine Son in redeeming the human family. The title is rooted in Genesis 3:15, where Mary is “prophetically foreshadowed in the promise of victory over the serpent” (Lumen Gentium 55). This passage foreshadows the divine work of redemption brought about by Jesus as the Savior of the world, with the Mother of the Redeemer’s intimate cooperation. The prefix “co” in the title “Co-redemptrix” does not imply equality with the one Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who alone could reconcile humanity with the Father in His divinity and humanity. The prefix “co” is derived from the Latin word cum, which means “with,” and not “equal to.” Jesus as true God and true man redeems the human family, and Mary as “Co-redemptrix” participates with the divine Redeemer in a completely subordinate and dependent way. Nonetheless, though subordinate and dependent, Mary’s human participation remains a uniquely privileged and exalted one, one that was entirely contingent upon her free and meritorious “yes” in her words, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38).
THE MYSTERIOUS ROLES: DYSMISTIFIED
Blessed Pope John Paul II in his apostolic letter Tertio Millenio Adveniente (The Coming Third Millennium), he stated that Mary’s co-redemptive role in the salvation of man is in fact constantly points to her Divine Son and she is proposed to all believers as the model of faith which is put into practice. (N. 43)
Perusing through the pages of both Old and New Testaments of the sacred scripture, as well as the ancient writings of our Patriarchs, there is a clear indication of Mary’s role in the economy salvation of man. The books of the Old Testament described the history of man's salvation, by which the coming of Christ into the world was slowly prepared. According to the earliest documents of our fathers in faith, we come to understand in the light of a further and full revelation, bringing the figure of the woman, Mother of the Redeemer, into a clearer light. When it is looked at in this way, she is already prophetically foreshadowed in the promise of victory over the serpent which was given to our first parents after their fall into sin. (Document of Vatican Council N.284) Likewise she is the Virgin who shall conceive and bear a son, whose name will be called Emmanuel. (Document of Vatican Council N . 285)
She stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receives salvation from Him. With her, the exalted Daughter of Zion, and after a long expectation of the promise, the times are fulfilled and the new economy established when the Son of God took a human nature from her that He might in the mysteries of His flesh free man from sin. The Father of mercies willed that the incarnation should be preceded by the acceptance of her who was predestined to be the mother of His Son, so that just as a woman contributed to death, so also a woman should contribute to life. That is true in outstanding fashion of the mother of Jesus and thus designating her with the tittle the “second Eve”, who gave to the world Him who is Life itself and who renews all things, and who was enriched by God with the gifts which befit such a role.
In view of this, the fathers of the church see her as used by God not merely in a passive way, but as freely co-operating or co-participating in the work of human salvation through faith and obedience. For, as St. Irenaeus says, she "being obedient, became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race" Hence, not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert in their preaching, "The knot of Eve's disobedience was untied by Mary's obedience; what the virgin Eve bound through her unbelief, the Virgin Mary loosened by her faith" Comparing Mary with Eve, they call her "the Mother of the living," and still more often they say: "death through Eve, life through Mary." This union of the Mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ's virginal conception up to His death it is shown first of all when Mary, arising in haste to go to visit Elizabeth, is greeted by her as blessed because of her belief in the promise of salvation and the precursor leaped with joy in the womb of his mother.
EPILEGOMENA: Mary’s tripartite role in economy salvation of man is a constant reminder to the faithful that we must all work alongside the Redeemer in bringing the saving Gospel of Christ into the world; to offer our meritorious sufferings for the glory of God and the salvation of souls in the order of the priesthood of the laity, as well as in the ministerial priesthood; to participate through acts of charity and Christian works of mercy in the application of the graces of Calvary to the world today, a world that remains in such grave need of the Redeemer’s spiritual and social liberation; to realize the sublime ecclesial dignity of freely and personally co-operating and co-participating with grace for our own salvation and the salvation of all humanity; and to be incarnate witnesses after the model of Mary’s co-redemptrix nature to the fundamental truth that human suffering can be redemptive. Our role as “co-redeemers in Christ” provides a concrete reminder to today’s faithful that the Cross of the Redeemer must again be implanted in the midst of the world and carried by every beloved disciple for the salvation and sanctification of contemporary society.
