Mary for TodayFr. von Balthasar provides a profound and concise spiritual guide for all who desire to know and love the Mother of the Lord. The acclaimed theologian gathers from the Sacred Scriptures and the rich tradition of the Church to present a portrait of Mary that shows her importance and relevance for Christians today. In this inspiring work, von Balthasar exhibits the quintessential elements of a great theologian: depth of traditional devotion combined with intellectual brilliance and seasoned with common sense. He reveals to us the crucial spiritual role of Mary for all Christians: she shows us what the Church is and guides us close to Jesus. For Christians to understand their vocations as individuals and as the Church, Mary is essential as the model of the first disciple. Von Balthasar captures her singular role when he quotes her words in the Gospel at Cana: "Do whatever he tells you." Perhaps nowhere is Mary's role and significance more clearly present than in this Gospel scene. This work is beautifully illustrated with lovely silhouette drawings by artist Virginia Broderick. |
Contents
a The woman and the dragon | 9 |
The womans children wage war | 18 |
b My little children with whom I | 26 |
a Marys pondering | 35 |
The teacher of the Church | 42 |
a The heritage of Israel | 49 |
a Magnificat | 59 |
Common terms and phrases
able already grasped apostles become Behold belongs beloved disciple birth-pangs body born bride bring Cana child Christ Christians Church complete covenant Cross dead death divine dragon earth eternal eucharistic everything faith fate Father final and definitive GIVING BIRTH God's Word Gospel grace handmaid heart heavenly Holy Spirit human husband Ignatius Loyola Incarnation Israel Jerusalem Jesus John the Baptist linked lived Lord Magnificat Marian marriage Mary and John Mary and Joseph Mary's Mary's child means memory mercy Messiah mother mystery nourished Old Testament pain Paul pauvre Pentecost Peter pierce place prepared plan of salvation pondering poor poverty praise pray precisely profound promised prophets rejoicing Revelation says seat of wisdom serpent share sinners someone soul suffering sword things tion told understand virginal fruit VIRGINIA BRODERICK weak weapons wedding at Cana wilderness woman woman's children WOUND PROVIDES SPACE Yahweh