Debate

Even if the Bible is parsimonious and distorted by the ravages of time, it is possible to decipher significant events, so to speak 'between the lines'. We like to think of Jesus as a thoroughly pious and holy person. But earthly existence probably left its mark!


Matthew 12:46-50

While he was yet speaking to the people, his mother and his brothers came. They stood outside and wanted to speak to him, and someone said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and want to speak to you." He answered him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And he pointed with his hand to his disciples and said, "These are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of my heavenly father is my brother and sister and mother."


The failing faith

The Virgin Mary is sparingly mentioned in the Bible, almost disturbingly sparing. Apparently the Mother of Jesus made no lasting impression, either on Jesus or those around him. It is true that the Virgin Mary gives birth to Jesus, but any blessed or unblessed woman can bring a child into the world. In her meeting with the archangel Gabriel, Mary calls herself 'the handmaid of the Lord', i.e. a tool for God. Piety is at its greatest there and then, but one can sense that faith is failing over time. Maria becomes entangled in society's material burdens and allurements. In the end, faith in God no longer exists. Jesus, who probably grew up as an ordinary person, on the contrary, is increasingly drawn to the spiritual and to God's calling.

The Gospel of John 2:1-11 tells of a wedding in Cana. The Virgin Mary then wants Jesus to prepare wine for the guests. But Jesus here seems a little irritated and says: "Leave me alone, woman. My hour has not yet come." The context is not entirely clear, but one can probably sense a certain disagreement between mother and son.

 

The schism

It is inevitable that a break will eventually occur. In Matt 12:46-50 above, it can be understood from the context that the schism is a fact. Jesus' mother and brothers want to talk to him but he doesn't want to hear from them. "Whoever does the will of my heavenly father is my brother and sister and mother," he says, quite sharply. Jesus obviously does not think that Mary follows God anymore, he prefers to spend his time with his disciples.


Mary's new son

At the time of Jesus' crucifixion, the breaking is complete. John 19:25-27 declares:

"At the cross of Jesus stood his mother and her sister, Mary who was the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and next to her the disciple whom he loved, he said to his mother: "Woman, there is your son." Then he said to the disciple: "There is your mother." From that moment the disciple took her home to him."

Jesus does not say here 'Beloved Mother', or anything like that. Quite briefly and almost condescendingly, he again says 'Woman' to her, she no longer has his respect. Then he abdicates, distinctly, the role of her son. Jesus assigns Mary a new son (Johannes), who will be her helper in the future. Jesus simply did not have a good mother!


Mary and the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church has tirelessly revered and praised the Virgin Mary, and for what then? It becomes quite obvious that this 'belief orientation' only put Mary on a pedestal in order to spit in Jesus' face. The 'Church of the Devil' does not wish to exalt Jesus, but rather to displace him. To top it all off, they appoint their popes as 'God's highest representative on earth', even though Jesus was always tied to Earth (most probably with recurring incarnations).


 
 

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