The year 2000 is to be celebrated as the great Jubilee of the birth of Jesus Christ all over the world. As a mark of respect for the mother, who gave birth to Jesus, a Marian Festival is being celebrated by the entire world in 1999. Against this background, it is necessary to develop a Biblical and balanced approach to Marian devotion.
 
 

In India, as in the whole world, devotion to Mary took root centuries ago. Several of our ancient churches are named after Mary. Likewise, so many of our women are called by her name: Mariam, Mary, Maria, Amala, Vimala, Nirmala and Rani, to mention a few. The rosary and the novena to our Mother of Perpetual Succour, are some of the devotions asking for her intercession that have become very popular in our country.

It is with the Protestant reformation that the Marian devotion chiefly became a subject of controversy. Holding on to the truth that Jesus is the only Saviour, protestants propagated the idea that devotion to Mary was superfluous and unacceptable. When they were adamant in this belief, Catholics stressed the devotion to Mary and encouraged it. In due course, Marian devotion became a bone of contention among Christians.

What we need is an approach that is neither a blind opposition nor an exaggerated devotion. What we believers need now is to cultivate a balanced, creative, salvific and rational attitude to Marian devotion. This devotion must be in consonance with the word of God and the tradition of the Church.
 
 

In any home a mother’s place is peerless. In a home without a mother a void can be experienced. Children come home from school calling out "Mama". If they do not see their mother, they become restless. A home must have a mother.

The community of those who believe in the Good News proclaimed by Jesus, is a family, a big family. Jesus knew that this big family must have a mother. He, therefore, while dying in agony on the cross, pointed to Mary and said to John standing there representing the apostles, "Behold your mother" (Jn 19:27). John received her as his mother into his house. From that day on Mary became the mother of the community of disciples.
 
 

"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). "There is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all" (1Tim 2:5). We have no right to dilute the truth of the above mentioned word of God or to bring about the slightest change in it. But the fact is, that by considering Mary as the mother of believers, no change whatsoever is effected in this word of God.

It is but natural that a mother who loves her children prays for them and is interested in their concerns. Likewise, it is only natural that those who accept and honour Jesus as their Saviour, respect and honour the mother whom that Saviour has given to the world. Failing to do it would be unnatural and ungrateful.
 
 

We can tell Jesus directly all that we want to. Why then do we seek the intercession of Mary? This question needs clarification. Certainly, we can speak to Jesus directly. But we also see models of intercessory prayer in the Bible. The centurion comes to Jesus to intercede for his servant and the Jewish leaders come to intercede for the centurion (Lk 7:1-10). The Cannanite woman comes to Jesus for her daughter and the disciples put in a word for the Cannanite woman(Mt 15:21-28).

Mary herself takes on the role of an intercessor (Jn 2:1-11). Thus persons praying for one another is Biblical and a daily experience. Do we not ask the prayers of others for some particular favour? Particularly, the prayers of those we think are more holy and virtuous than we are?

If we can ask for others' prayers, why not say, "Holy Mary, pray for us" and ask for our mother’s prayer? The essence of the Marian devotion is to ask for her prayer. "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer" (1Pet 3:12). The epistle of St James also says, "The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective" (5:16). Apart from Jesus, who has surrendered his life so totally to God and accomplished his will so perfectly and is as righteous as Mary (Lk 1:38)?
 
 

The prayer that begins with the words, "Hail Mary, full of grace"did not arise from the imagination of some devotees of Mary. The one who first uttered, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you!"was none other than theArchangel Gabriel who stands in the presence of God (Lk 1:28).

It was when Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit that she burst out, "Blessed are you among women; blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42).

If so, Marian devotion is not a human discovery. On the contrary, we understand from the Bible that it is ordained by God himself.

That Marian devotion takes people away from God is a false idea that is circulated. Did not Mary say of Jesus, "Do as he tells you" (Jn 2:5)? True devotees of Mary are taken closer to Jesus and to the word of God.
 
 

Some argue that it is enough if people who are alive pray. There is no need to ask for the prayers of the dead. The thought that everything ends with death cannot be reconciled with the word of God and with true Christian faith. The fellowship and mutual love of believers is very much alive even after death. "Love never ends" (1 Cor 13:8). The followers of Jesus believe in the communion of saints, in the resurrection of the body and in eternal life. "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise" (Lk 23:43), said Jesus even to the repentant thief. Can we then doubt that Mary is dynamically present in heaven with him?

"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42).