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In a print from an engraving, Mary puts her cheek to Jesus's cheek in mourning as Jesus has been taken down from the cross.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus:
What does the Bible tell us about Mary?

Mary and Jesus.
Session 1: What Mary was, we are called to be

A young woman living in obscurity receives a visit from an angel of God and says “Yes” to God’s plan.  How can we be like her?

[Luke 1:5-25; 1:26-38; 1:39-45; 1:46-56]

Mary and Jesus.
Session 2: Jesus’s birth causes uncertainty as well as joy

In the days surrounding Jesus’s birth, uncertainty is a fact of life for his mother Mary.  She responds by pondering and treasuring everything that happens.  How can we embrace her trusting attitude?

[Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7; 2:8-20; 2:21; Luke 2:22-24]

Mary and Jesus.
Session 3: When life gets complicated

Mary and Joseph follow God’s guidance one step at a time, not knowing what each new step will be but trusting that he will show them what to do.  Can we, too, trust God to guide us one step at a time?

[Luke 2:25-40; Matthew 2:1-12; 2:13-18; 2:19-23]

Mary and Jesus.
Session 4: "Do whatever he tells you."

Mary watches Jesus grow up and begin his ministry.  After she brings a concern to him, she tells others, “Do whatever he tells you.”  Those are wise words for us.  What would he tell you about your concerns do?

[Luke 2:40-52; Matthew 3:13; 4:1; 4:12-13; 4:18-22; John 2:1-12]

Mary and Jesus.
Session 5: Jesus’s family

The various denominations within Christianity don’t agree on whether Mary had other children besides Jesus, but they do agree with his statement that those who do his will are his brothers and sisters.  How can we respond?

[Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6; Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21]

Mary and Jesus.
Session 6: At the foot of the cross and in the Upper Room

Mary stands by Jesus at the cross and is with the Christian community at Pentecost.  How can we follow her example of being faithful in difficult times and remaining present with the church?

[John 6:41-44; Luke 11:27-28; John 19:16-20, 23-27; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1-4; Galatians 4:4-7]

Mary and Jesus.
Session 7: Other possible references to Mary in the Bible

Some people see Mary in a variety of images and prophecies in the Bible where she is not specifically named.  What do these passages tell us about God and how we can respond to him?

[Revelation 12:1-6; 12:13-18; Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 22:9-10; Jeremiah 31:22; Micah 5:1-4]

Mary and Jesus.
Bibliography

Bibliography of major sources and additional sources used in this study of Mary, the mother of Jesus.


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