Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - March, 2005

St. Mary's Spirituality

By Rev. Prof. Varghese P. Manikat

The Oxford American Dictionary defines spirituality as “of the human spirit or soul, not physical or worldly.” Spirituality is something insubstantial and invisible; one cannot see it, hear it, touch it or smell it. When we see someone pious and holy, we usually say that, that person is “spiritual.” They might pray regularly, read the Bible frequently, and participate in church services. We mean that this person is in touch with God and is in tune with their spiritual side. However, what allows us to classify someone as spiritual and someone else as an unbeliever? What are the internal criteria we use to evaluate a person’s spirituality? These criteria can be categorized mainly into three parts: practices, faith, and doctrine.

Practices are the most visible part of personality. Behavior of a person helps others identify the personality of someone. The way we walk, talk, and even stand speaks about all of us. Spirituality of a person conducts himself in his life. Spiritual practices are holy traditions that have stood the test of time and have been approved by our spiritual forefathers of the Church. They include sacraments like the Holy Eucharist, Baptism, Confession, and others. Prayer is a very important religious practice, as well. These practices are a way for the faithful to profess their faith symbolically. When we see someone deep in prayer, we are automatically filled with awe and respect at this profoundly spiritual person. Spiritual experience is beyond our explanation. All saints who lived in the past and are being revered and blessed lived a life of spirit. Mor Simeon the stylite whom we remember in the fifth diptychs was a monk who spent forty years on top of a sixty feet tall pillar fasting and praying. People gathered around the pillar to listen to his wisdom from all over. Even Kings came to him for his noble advice. Many sick were healed just by believing in his words.

Practices, however, do not mean much without faith. One must have faith for these practices to actually mean something; else, they are just mindless actions that soon turn boring. Influenced by other denominations and not finding time to understand our own faith, people tend to find fault and complain about our practices. Some say our service is too repetitive and very long. But they are either ignorant or neglectful of the fact that in life things that are repeated are the most important and meaningful such as food, sleep; to cite certain simple examples. Those who complain need to learn how to enjoy. Faith is belief, pure and simple. It is certainty in our fundamental Christian principles. Faith is probably the most important part of spirituality. Without faith, all of Christianity, or any other religion, is rendered inane. It is a cardinal principle that Jesus Christ came down from heaven to earth and died on the cross to redeem our sins. Faith in this principle is incredibly important when one considers themselves a Christian. Without belief in this tenet, mostly every ritual performed in our churches is pointless. Without faith, practices are not worth your time.

Doctrine encompasses all the Christian teachings about various issues, principles, and questions. Knowing the correct way to live your life according to doctrines is also a very important part of spirituality. Doctrinal dogmas like “love your enemies” originate from wisdom and experience. A lawless society cannot survive. Every body requires rules and regulations to ensure that what the members are doing is according to the original purposes of an organization. Religious doctrines may appear to be rigid bonds of dictatorship but rigorous practices could only be brought about by adhering to strict discipline. Thus, following doctrine is an important part of being a good Christian and maintaining one’s spirituality. Man, I believe, started his life lawless and with full freedom. As he evolved in daily life and thought, he brought about ‘system’ into life according to his vision. His own dreams about his future inspired him to come up with a pattern, which later on grew into a set of laws. Those laws, he believed would satiate his thirst for the ultimate freedom, salvation, be with God, in the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately, he got entangled in the mesh of his own laws instead of getting himself freed. He needs help as he is weak. The one and only help come from none other than the Divine Power. The ultimate freedom and holy existence is possible only by following the criteria of spirituality, practices, faith, and doctrine.

St. Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, was arguably one of the most spiritual people ever. She had dedicated her entire life to God and had lived and worked for Him diligently. Mary always did what was right and well pleasing in God’s eyes, fulfilling the ‘practices’ and ‘doctrine’ requirement of spirituality. Her faith was revealed by the fact that she was able to see angel Gabriel, the messenger of God, and comprehend fully what he said to her. She did not attempt to rationalize or evaluate God’s plan. “Faith, according to H. L. Mencken, is an illogical belief in the improbable”. Her unquestioned obedience to the will of God and total submission to the divine plan was the result of acquiring the trust and courage to go beyond mere belief into the uncharted territory of knowing. She entered into a realm where miracles were just possible. We know that God would not have given anyone other than an intensely spiritual person the job of raising His son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, Mary is an ideal example for us to follow when we desire to become spiritual and grow closer to God. She is the embodiment of spirituality.

The Assumption of St. Mary gives her a special place in heaven and her ability to mediate. It is true that Mary had a say in her son’s actions. Through her He confirms the faith of His disciples at Cana by performing the miracle for which she asked. Through her He confirms John’s faith on Calvary, saying ‘Son, behold thy mother’. Through her the Holy Ghost gave Himself to the Apostles, for we read in Acts1:14 that she prayed with them while they prepared themselves for the apostolate and for the light and strength and graces of Pentecost. Her presence in heaven makes her more powerful. The Christian sense of the faithful assures us that a mother in heaven knows the spiritual needs of the children she has left behind and that she prays for their salvation. St. Paul tells us that Our Blessed Lord does not cease to make intercession for us. Mother Mary is all-powerful with her Son because of the love by which they are united, she obtains all the graces from Him. This power of Mary is proclaimed by us each time we recite ‘Hail Mary, full of grace….’

Mother Mary’s influence must become increasingly all embracing as we advance in our interior spiritual life. The Holy Spirit became fruitful on earth through Mary. It was with her and of her that he produced His masterpiece, Lord Jesus Christ. Mary exercises a very profound influence on faithful souls to lead them to ever-greater intimacy with our Blessed Lord. Mary’s mediation does not obscure that of Jesus Christ. Her mediation is but a share in His; her merits have been acquired under His influence, and it is He who confers on her the dignity of being a cause in the order of salvation and sanctification.