Mary, Full of Grace

Wendy Ryan Folk Art

Mary is the highest woman and the noblest gem in Christianity after Christ . . . She is nobility, wisdom, and holiness personified. We can never honor her enough.

~Martin Luther's Christmas Sermon 1531

People in the Western Medieval Church needed Mary.  

Somehow or other Christ was turned into the righteous judge who would shuck all those poor goats off into hell.  

"Christ in Majesty" - Basilica in Washington DC

 The gulf between Christ and the poor wretched sinners on earth seemed insurmountable.  

But there was Mary. 

She was kind and gentle and Jesus' Mum.  If you could get her to intercede on your behalf, Christ would listen to her.  He was a good son.  He would listen to his mom.  

It was a little (maybe a LOT) twisted but Mary is the reason Grace was not lost entirely.  

I think maybe when the Protestants threw out Mary (which was not Luther's idea) we lost some of that kindness and gentleness.  

Until the 19th century when we turned Jesus into a girl.

  I say we bring back Mary and let Jesus be a man again. (But not the terrifying Judge)