Netflix’s new film ‘Mary’ tells the story of the life of the woman who would eventually become known as the Theotokos, the Blessed motherthe Queen of Heaven and more.
The film, directed by DJ Caruso, stars actors Noa Cohen as Mary and Anthony Hopkins as King Herod. It reached No. 1 on the Netflix charts shortly after its release on December 6.
But who is Mary – and why is she such an important figure during Advent? Christmas seasons?
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What does the Bible say about her?
Maria’s special status becomes clear early in the film Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:28 says, “And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!'”
An image of the Annunciation, with the angel Gabriel (left) speaking to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. (iStock)
This phrase is part of the story of the Annunciation, when the Virgin Mary was told by the Archangel Gabriel that she would conceive and give birth to the Messiah, Jesus.
Mary gave her consent to this in Luke 1:38, saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.”
The phrase “full of grace” means that Mary was different from others who were still stained with original sin.
Catholics believe that Mary was impeccably conceivedwithout sin.
“If she is fully inhabited by God, there is no room in her for sin.”
Speaking about this verse in 2017, Pope Francis said the phrase “full of grace” means that “Mary is filled with the presence of God.”
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“And if she is fully inhabited by God, there is no room in her for sin,” he said.
DJ Caruso, left, directed the new film. The lead role is Noa Cohen, center, as Mary. Ido Tako, right, plays Joseph in the film. (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
This, Pope Francis said, “is something extraordinary, because everything in the world is unfortunately infected with evil. Each of us, when he looks within, sees dark sides. Even the greatest saints were sinners, and in reality everything, even the most beautiful things, is corrupted by evil: everything except Mary.”
He added that Mary is “humanity’s only ‘evergreen oasis’, the only one undefiled, immaculately created to fully welcome with her ‘yes’ God who came into the world and thus begin a new history.”
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The importance of Mary’s role in this story and during the season of Advent cannot be understated, Mark Miravalle told Fox News Digital in 2023.
“From manger scenes to postage stamps, from Christmas cards to Advent carols, the image of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, makes its universal appearance during the Advent seasonMiravalle said.
The Virgin Mary, Pope Francis said, is “humanity’s only ‘evergreen oasis’” and was “full of grace.” (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Miravalle is a professor of theology and holds the Constance Shifflin-Blum Chair in Mariology at Ave Maria University in Florida.
He is president of the International Marian Association and author and editor of more than twenty books.
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“We believe, then, that a human woman gave human nature to the second Person of the Trinity by the power of the Holy Spirit so that Jesus Christ, God and man, could redeem the world,” he said.
Advent, a time of spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ “rightly honors a woman’s human cooperation in God’s loving plan to bring humanity to its Savior,” Miravalle said.
Advent “rightly honors a woman’s human cooperation in God’s loving plan to bring humanity its Savior,” according to a theology professor and author. (iStock)
“How powerfully this manifests God’s deep respect for the dignity of the human person, for our free cooperation in his divine plan of salvation and for the special dignity of women,” he said.
Although Mary is venerated in some Christian denominations, there is “no competition” between her and her son, Jesus, Miravelle said.
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“There is no competition between the divine Jesus and the human Mary, but rather the heart unity of a son and mother in obedience to the Heavenly Father’s plan, which led to the glorious birth and ultimate victory of the Savior of the world,” he said. .
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“For without Him there will be no peace.”
