We don't "hear" Mary saying a lot in the New Testament, but let us consider some of what she does say and what it might teach us about how to follow Jesus.
In Luke 1:38 she answers Gabriel with the words, "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." By saying this Mary knew that not only was she agreeing to participate in God's plan of salvation, but that she also was placing her trust in God to protect her from whatever might threaten an unmarried young women shown to be with child. Can each of us say these words freely and willingly with Mary? The let us say, "Lord, I am your servant, so whatever You want to do with me--my body, my mind, my talents, my possession, my reputation...do it."
In Luke 1:47 Mary gives us another example. She says, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Do we too find such joy in God, in Jesus our Savior? Are we such joyful Catholics that others look at us and want a share in our joyful relationship with Jesus?
At the wedding feast at Cana, when Mary notices that the hosts are out of wine, she says to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." Can we honestly say that we always do what Jesus would want us to do? Can others in our community look at us Catholics and say that we truly only to please Jesus? Are we examples to others as Mary is to us?
Even though only a few of her words are included in the gospels, Mary certainly is an example for us to follow isn't she? And those few words can give us much to think about, can't they?
Let look again at the base relief depiction of the Annunciation. See the dove hovering above Mary? It reminds us of Gabriel's words, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." Later, too, when John the Baptist baptizes Jesus, Matthew records "...he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him." Traditionally, then, in art the Holy Spirit has been portrayed as a dove.
Notice that Mary is holding a book in her hand. This is not an indication of Mary's love of reading, but rather another common symbol used in art show that Mary was familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures and so would know the prophecies about the long-promised Messiah.
Mary was "the woman" promised, and her Seed, Jesus, began to crush the head of the serpent when He became man and suffered and died on the cross so that we might be redeemed. Of course, Satan continues his rebellion against God by trying to lure as many of us to Hell as he can. But in the end Jesus will soundly and finally defeat Satan and his followers.
God said, "I will put enmity between you and the woman..." What does enmity mean? Deep-seated hatred. Satan hates Mary because she willingly participates in God's plan for our redemption. Because Mary loves Jesus and us, as any loving mother would, she will do everything she can to protect us from our enemy, Satan. For this reason the Church has long taught that we should ask Mary to pray for us. St. Thomas a Kempis once wrote that the devils fear Mary so much that on hearing her name, they run like escapees from a raging fire. St. Alphonsus Ligouri wrote that even calling May's name would give people strength to turn from occasions of impurity. St. Padre Pio used to ask that his "weapon" be brought to him. That weapon was his rosary. Father John Corapi, a prominent preacher today, often has said to us, his fellow Catholics, "Your Mama (Mary) wears army boots!" So, if we need help in resisting the temptations of the devil, we know that we can turn to Mary and she will help us.
Let us look once again at our statue of Mary. Notice that she is wearing a crown? The Church teaches that Mary is the Queen of Heaven. Is there any biblical basis for this teaching? Let's get our Bibles and turn to 1 Kings 12:20. Here we see that King Solomon's mother--not one of his many wives--was honored by him and sat at his right hand. There are other references in the Old Testament that show the importance given to the Queen Mother. (1 Kings 14:21, 1 Kings 15:13, 2 Kings 24:12, and Jeremiah 13:18, for examples) In Luke 1 :43 we read that Elizabeth exclaims, "And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" With these words we are reminded that Mary is the mother of a King: she is the Queen Mother. In Revelation 12:1-2 we are given an image of Mary as a queen with child. She is "clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet." It is interesting that Our Lady of Guadelupe's image, which miraculously appeared on Juan Diego's tilma (cloak) in 1531 show Mary surrounded by the sun, standing on the moon, and expecting a child.
If we look again at our statue we can see that Mary's right hand directs our attention toward the child Jesus on her arm. This gesture, often found in artwork depicting Mary and Jesus, is meant to remind us of Mary's main goal--to get all us to turn to and follow her Son, Jesus.
