MARIOLOGY

The Angelus and Its Biblical Basis

The Angelus is a devotional prayer that reflects on the Incarnation, specifically the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary. It is
traditionally recited three times a day (morning, noon, and evening). The key scriptural connections are:
First Verse: "The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived by the Holy Spirit."
Based on Luke 1:26-38, where Gabriel announces that Mary will conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:38: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”
Second Verse: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word."
Directly from Luke 1:38, Mary’s response to Gabriel.
Third Verse: "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us."
From John 1:14, which affirms the Incarnation: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
The Angelus is a meditation on Mary’s role in salvation history.
*Memorize the 3 verses of the Angelus it would be included on your quiz and exam.
The Hail Mary and Its Biblical Basis
The Hail Mary is a two-part prayer drawn directly from Scripture:
First Half (Luke 1:28, 42):
"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee." - Luke 1:28, where the angel greets Mary: “Hail, full of grace, the
Lord is with you.” (Greek: chaire, kecharitomene )
"Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus." - Luke 1:42, when Elizabeth, filled
with the Holy Spirit, exclaims: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
*The second Half of Hail Mary was added later in Church Tradition.
"Hail, Full of Grace" Understanding Its Meaning and Connection to Mary
"Full of Grace" In the original Greek text, the word translated as “full of grace” (kecharitōmenē)
kecharitōmenē suggests that Mary was already in a state of grace before the Annunciation and remained so continuously.
This aligns with the Church’s teaching on her Immaculate Conception—that she was conceived without original sin and
remained sinless throughout her life.
In Luke 1:28, Gabriel doesn’t use Mary’s name but instead calls her "Full of Grace," to highlight her very identity. Mary is
The Full of Grace.
Mary was set apart in a special way, already transformed by God's grace. This recognizes Mary’s unique status as the one
who received the fullness of God’s grace to be the Mother of Christ.
Theological Implications of "Full of Grace"
1. Mary’s Unique Holiness – She is the only person in Scripture addressed as "full of grace," indicating that she was
completely filled with God's grace from the beginning.
2. The Immaculate Conception – Since grace removes sin, and Mary was "full of grace" before the Annunciation,
this supports the belief that she was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception.
3. Mary as the New Eve – Just as Eve was created sinless but fell into sin, Mary was created sinless and remained
faithful, making her the New Eve who cooperates with God in bringing salvation through Jesus.
The phrase "Hail, full of grace" (Luke 1:28) is a biblical affirmation of Mary’s sinlessness, holiness, and special role in
salvation history. The Greek word kecharitōmenē reveals that Mary was already filled with grace before the Annunciation,
setting her apart as the pure and holy vessel chosen to bear Jesus Christ.
Point of Reflection to Christians and Non- Christians
Since Scripture reveals that Mary is 'full of grace,' signifying her unique role in salvation history, would it not be
righteous, whether as a Christian or a non-Christian, to give her a level of honor higher than other people?
And is it not also fitting to venerate her within the Church?

Does Matthew 12:46-50 Does Jesus Had Biological Brothers?

Matthew 12:46-50 states:
“While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he
replied to the man who told him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?’ And stretching out his hand toward his
disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother,
and sister, and mother.’” Matthew 12:46-50
At first glance, this passage might suggest that Jesus had biological brothers. However, when examined carefully in the
context of Jewish language and culture, the term "brothers" (adelphoi) does not necessarily mean blood siblings.
The Meaning of "Adelphos" in Biblical and Jewish Context
The Greek word "adelphos" (ἀδελφός) can mean:
1. A biological brother (same mother and father)
2. A half-brother (same mother or father)
3. A close relative or cousin
4. A spiritual brother or companion
Since Hebrew and Aramaic (the languages Jesus spoke) had no specific word for "cousin", the term "brother" ( adelphos in
Greek) was often used to describe any close male relative, including cousins, nephews, or even tribal kin.
John 19:26-27: Jesus Entrusting Mary to John
“When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your
son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” (John
19:26-27)
If Jesus had biological brothers, Jewish custom would require one of them to care for Mary after Jesus' death. Jesus entrusts
Mary to John, not to James, Jude, or any so-called "brothers. This suggests Mary had no other sons to care for her, meaning
Jesus was her only child.
"Adelphos" (brother) in Jewish usage includes cousins, close relatives, and kin, not just biological siblings.
John 19:26-27 shows that Jesus had no biological brothers—otherwise, Mary would have been entrusted to them instead of
John.
Matthew 12:46-50 does not contradict Mary's perpetual virginity.
Mary as the New Eve and Mother of All Christians (John 19:26-27)
“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your
son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.” (John
19:26-27)
1. Jesus gives Mary to John, representing all believers, making her the Mother of the Church.
2. Just as Eve was the mother of all in the natural sense, Mary becomes the mother of all in the spiritual sense.
3. Mary’s title as "Woman" is again emphasized, confirming her role in salvation history.
Mary at the Wedding Feast of Cana: The New Eve and Mother of the Church
(John 2:1-12)
The Wedding at Cana is one of the most profound events in the Gospel of John, not just because it marks Jesus' first miracle,
but because it highlights Mary's role as the New Eve and the Mother of all Christians.
Mary's Role as the Mother Who Intercedes – A common misconception about the Church’s tradition of Marian prayers is
that people "pray to" Mary as an act of worship. In reality, Catholics do not worship Mary but ask for her intercession, as
reflected in the prayer Hail Mary: “Pray for us sinners.”
1. Mary intercedes on behalf of others – She notices the problem and brings it to Jesus, just as she continues to
intercede for us as Christians.
2. Jesus listens to His mother – Although He initially responds that His "hour has not yet come," He still performs the
miracle, showing His obedience to Mary (as a perfect Son). This obedience is also stated in the Gospel of Luke on
finding Jesus in the temple “He became obedient to them”
3. Ma Mary’s words, “Do whatever He tells you,” reflect her role as a model of faith leading people to Jesus, just as
she does for the Church today. This also reminds us that seeking Mary’s intercession requires genuine effort in
doing God’s will and following Jesus' teachings. “Nasa Diyos ang Awa, Nasa Tao ang Gawa.”
Why Does Jesus Call Mary "Woman"?
Instead of calling Mary "Mother," Jesus refers to her as "Woman" (Gunai in Greek).
1. This is not a sign of disrespect, but a theological statement linking Mary to Eve and to the prophecy of Genesis
3:15:
 2. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and
you shall bruise his heel.”
3. By calling Mary “Woman,” Jesus is identifying her as the "New Eve"—the woman whose offspring (Jesus) will
crush the serpent (Satan).
Just as Eve was the "mother of all the living" (Genesis 3:20) in the natural order, Mary becomes the Mother of all the
spiritually living in the order of grace.
Mary in Revelation 12: The Mother of the Church
Revelation 12 describes a woman "clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars."
1. Mary, the Mother of Christ – since she gives birth to a male child (Jesus).
2. The Church, the People of God – signified by the crown of 12 stars (representing the 12 Tribes of Israel and the 12
Apostles).
3. Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus but also the spiritual mother of the entire Church.

ACTIVITY:
Group the class into 4 and create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the infancy narratives in the Gospels of Matthew
and Luke. In the left circle, list details unique to Matthew. In the right circle, list details unique to Luke. In the overlapping
section, include similarities between both accounts.
You can use the following guide questions to help organize your diagram.
1. Who plays the central role in the story?
2. How is the angel introduced?
3. Who visits the newborn Jesus?
4. Where does the Holy Family dwell?
5. What is the political setting?

Coverage of the quiz tomorrow (30 items, Multiple Choice only)

Mary in the Scriptures:
1. Gospel of Matthew
2. Gospel of Luke (Angelus verses are included)
3. Gospel of John
4. Revelation