Synopsis:
Though Mary of Nazareth is rarely mentioned in the Gospels, she is perhaps, the most important and certainly the most revered woman in history. Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has hailed her as the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, and Madonna. Yet her elevated status today reveals little, if anything, about her life as a young Jewish woman of Palestine some 2000 years ago. Unlike her prominent standing today, Mary, like all women in Nazareth, grew up as a secondary citizen. She was illiterate and relied on her mother to pass on Jewish tradition. Her engagement to Joseph around the age of 13 was not unusual but what took place shortly after would change the course of history. Mary's first words in the Bible are in the form of a question. How, she asks the Angel Gabriel, can she be pregnant when she is still a virgin? Though Mary could have refused or complained, she instead told the Angel that she was ready to do the will of God. As a young, unwed, pregnant Jewish teenager, Mary faced the possibility of being stoned to death. How might Mary's parents, friends and relatives have reacted to her dilemma? More importantly, how would Joseph, her fiancee respond? The fear Mary have faced throughout her pregnancy, continued after the birth of her son Jesus as King Herod, in an attempt to kill the newly born king, ordered the murder of all males under two years of age. Mary's life as the mother of Jesus was strife-ridden. Time after time she witnessed the mocking of her son. Even her children, Jesus' siblings believed Jesus had lost his mind. But she stood by him and was one of the few who stood by her son as he lay dying on the cross at Calvary. Mary's life didn't end with the death of her son. She met with Jesus' apostles, and some associate her with founding the Jerusalem church. What may be the most important story of Mary is that she offers all seekers - believers and skeptics alike, an aspect of faith not found in many other religions, a feminine face of God.